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| packmule | Jul 25 2009, 01:57 PM |
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Double trouble: Godzilla Raids Again(1955) - Revisited Over the past couple of months I have been going back and watching all the Godzilla movies in my DVD collection again, especially the older, "Showa" era titles. Lately I've felt a sense of detachment from these movies, a sensation I do not like, considering my lifelong fondness for kaiju films. The most recent Godzilla movie I watched was Godzilla Raids Again, a quick sequel produced by Toho to capitalize on the unexpected, and tremendous financial success of 1954's Gojira. Godzilla Raids Again was originally released theatrically in Japan back in April, 1955. The film is directed by Motoyoshi Oda, produced by Tomoyuki Tanaka with the score composed by Masaru Sato and special effects direction by Eiji Tsuburaya. I watched the Classic Media R1 DVD of the movie, the original Toho version in Japanese language with English subtitles. Some personal observations,as always some positive and some negative: Thumbs up: 1. the rendering of newcomer monster Anguirus: I like the overall design of the creature, an armored, four legged monster that charges like a bull at Godzilla and has a spiked tail. Anguirus gives an excellent accounting of itself in this film: plodding, aggressive and producing a menacing, almost Godzilla-like roar, Anguirus fights Godzilla hard and gives it's two legged rival a hell of a fight. 2. the tuna cannery pilot "Koji Kobayashi"(played by Minoru Chiaki): behind this fellow's laid back, almost bumbling facade was the heart and bravery of a lion. His sacrifice gives Tsukioka the idea of how to stop Godzilla, a tactic that is, subsequently employed by the Osaka defense forces, ultimately successful. 3. the primary battle between Godzilla and Anguirus in Osaka: I thought it was well choreographed overall, much of that due to Haruo Nakajima, the Godzilla suit actor and who also had a great deal of input on the monster battle choreography between himself and Katsumi Tezuka, who suited Anguirus. The two monsters lay waste to Osaka in devastating fashion, buildings and other structures demolished by the actions of the warring creatures. 4. the score: Sato's score lacks the power of 1954's Gojira but still strikes me as moody, at times a little dreary and almost always appropriate for the generally somber mood of this film 5. the tuna cannery employees' party at the restaurant: getting drunk and raising a little hell, both of which I can attest are often effective means by which to blow off some steam...though watching all these guys clap their hands while singing a ditty seemed a little of a stretch  Thumbs down: 1. the lack of high speed filming for much of the Godzilla Vs Anguirus Osaka battle: as much as I like the choreography of the battle itself, I also equally dislike the battle appearing at times to be too fast, given the size of the two monsters in this movie 2. the use of puppets in certain shots(depicting Godzilla's head) The American version of GRA, called Gigantis The Fire Monster, and distributed by Warner Brothers, opened in American theaters in May of 1959. George Takei, who later played "Lt. Sulu" on the 1966 NBC TV series Star Trek, voiced Hiroshi Koizumi's character "Tsukioka" in GRA. The American version of GRA appeared for a while on The Disney Channel(late 80s-early 90's). I would recommend the Classic Media R1 DVD release, which presents both versions of this black and white film. The trailer for the American version, called Gigantis The Fire Monster: The stellar Classic Media R1 DVD release of Godzilla Raids Again(1955), for sale at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Raids-Again-Hiroshi-Koizumi/dp/B000MV8AJU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1248541396&sr=1-1 |
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| Godzilla Raids Again(1955) · Showa Godzilla Films 1954-1975 | |
5:25 AM Nov 28
