Godzilla vs. Megalon -- Full review.

This is one of those campy Godzilla movies that hits all of the right chords with me. The more I watch it, the more I like it. It is by no means a fine piece of Cinema D'Arte. No one going in should think that a couple of guys in monster suits would be capable of starring in any type of fine film. This is particularly true with the googly-eyed Godzilla featured in this film.

Monster movies have a difficult line to follow. Just about everyone is there to see the giant monster destroy things. Because of this, the destroying giant monster is the villain of the movie. After all, you cannot have good guys creating havoc in major metropolitan areas without repercussions. Nonetheless, we have a rooting interest in the monster. So, our protagonist must be more likable than the monster. Otherwise, when the monster is eventually destroyed, you feel bad (see Cloverfield).

One way around this situation is to have a couple of monsters fight each other. You get a good guy monster vs. a bad guy monster. (Or a couple for each as in Godzilla vs. Megalon.) In this way, you do not necessarily have to root for the human protagonist.  You root for your favorite monsters.

In this movie, the kid is a bit precocious -- read annoying. Our group of human protagonists is an odd group to put together. There is the kid and his brother the scientist. The pair are a good deal different in ages. If you did not know that they were brothers, you would assume they were father and son. It would make a bit more sense, but then you have questions about how a guy who builds a robot for fun would find time for women.

So, the weakness of this movie is the human cast. They are just there to fill in the plot points. The rest of the movie is men in monster suits smashing things and wrestling with each other. They make it work. It isn't intellectually challenging. It is just fun. You do not have the pro-environment message that Godzilla movies are prone to. It is simply an entertaining movie for the entire family -- read for kids (probably just boys).

This is one of the monster movies where the formula fits together and works. They got most of it right. The right mix of plot and destruction. In fact, you have to wait for quite a while for Godzilla to show up. It starts with the bad guys destroying things. Then Jet Jaguar comes along and swings it to the good guy direction. With that, the bad guys call in a hired giant monster cyborg (Gigan). Two on one until Godzilla shows up. The fight action goes back and forth.  Swinging from one side to the other -- just like in wrestling.

In my adultness, I ignore the poor plotting. The Seatopian's motivation seems reasonable, yet they are cast as the villains. We were using atomic weapons and killing them. They should retaliate. If they were just bent on retaking the surface world, without provocation that would be better.

It is still one of my favorites despite its flaws. I look forward to the new release! If I can have one extra it would be from this:

The film got its U.S. premiere in 1977 in a drastically-cut version on prime-time television, which included a bumper segment featuring John Belushi in a Godzilla suit!

(From the New York Times)

Godzilla vs. Megalon minor rant.

I was fortunate to purchase the MST3k volume 10 before it was "recalled". So, I own a copy of their version of Godzilla vs. Megalon on DVD. One of the bad situations about Godzilla in the US is that not one company has the distribution rights to the movies.

Classic Media, Inc. did a very nice thing for us Godzilla fans. They released their particular collection of movies in the best way possible. They included the original Japanese version with subtitles and the American release. Further they were presented in Toho Scope, that is, they were in widescreen.

Unfortunately, Godzilla vs. Megalon was not one of the movies in their catalog. There has never been a widescreen release of the movie in the US. Both the old VHS and the DVD were in pan and scan format. The MST3k version is in pan and scan.

Because of this situation, Godzilla DVD collectors cannot have a consistent group of DVD's. In fact, some movies have never been available on DVD in the US. Although, to be honest, Godzilla vs Biolante doesn't need to be released on DVD or any other format -- ever!

Nonetheless, in honor of Jet Jaguar week, the current owners of Godzilla vs. Megalon had an announcement -- on Tuesday. Media Blasters is planning a DVD and Blu-ray edition of Godzilla vs. Megalon and Destroy All Monsters. Both films will feature exciting extras! No release date yet, but there you go Jet Jaguar fans -- JJ and the big G on Blu-ray -- to get all those pithy nuances.

Godzilla vs. Megalon on MST3k.

In my youth, Godzilla vs. Megalon was my favorite. I remember watching it often because in those days they played old movies instead of infomercials. It seemed like it was on a lot.

There is a bunch to like about it too. Naturally there is the cool robot Jet Jaguar. In addition, it has a sort of tag-team wrestling thing going on. It is framed just like a WWE wrestling match with your good guys vs. bad guys. It flows back and forth between them.

Also, it has its share of silly science. The whole sand from deep in the ocean. The Easter Island heads. I realize now their time frame is way off, but I didn't notice that when I was a kid.

What more could you want than a kid who drives a minibike? He is a bit annoying, but he was a kid who hung around his science nerd brother. Who didn't want to do that.

It is all around campy fun. At the time, I couldn't imagine it getting any better. Then along came the MST3k version and brought us this:



Oh how I love Rex Dart: Eskimo Spy! While it is Jet Jaguar Week, Rex Dart: Eskimo Spy could probably carry a week as well.

Live Blog a Viewing of Godzilla vs. Megalon.

These events occurred in 197x?

We're bad!  Go ahead and test nuclear weapons near Monster Island.

Groovy opening theme song.

We meet the Kenny. (Roku?) He is the brother of the inventor. They're only 30 years apart.

Wow! That crazy dolphin water thing doesn't go fast enough in an emergency.

Flashy blinky water.

Way to go! It was a perfect shot with the tow rope. Kenny is saved!

Lake drains. Where is the water going?

Empty lake visual effect, but you really couldn't tell.

Interrupt groovy 70's tune for radio report about earthquakes that drain lakes, but the music does continue.

Let's tell the story about the lost city -- like Atlantis but not.

Our heroes must be lovers because they sure aren't fighters.

Dune-buggy away!

Our first glimpse at Jet Jaguar and he doesn't have a head.

Button and sand -- smells like plot points.

Transition to lab work. Well done!

How many vehicles do these people have?

Easter Island references. Are we trying to develop some sort of plot?

Jet Jaguar is alive!

Uh oh! the Kenny is in trouble -- like we didn't see that coming when he got on that minibike.

Gas gun -- those Seatopians...

This Easter Island dance thing is not usually there. It was probably cut from the US version because it is filled with rather poor American actors.

They are dubbing the actor from English into Japanese. The subtitles match the lip movements.

Calling cockroach monster! You'd think the Seatopians would have a monster that was sea related...

Special effect.

The Kenny is into bondage -- er -- tied up.

Hey professor, you could not tell it was metal by looking at it? You had to test it?

Jet Jaguar theme of funk

The best characters in the movie, the dumb truck drivers. Well done men.

3,000,000 years ago Seatopia sank? Perhaps they aren't Atlanteans -- since they predate Homo Sapiens, language, rock 'n' roll...

Steal a robot to make an army because it is too difficult to develop your own.

Hey the professor's friend learned to fight.

Look! torture works.

Way to not prevent him from contacting his cohorts.

70's chase Japanese style. Bullitt it ain't.

Anticlimactic chase ends with slapstick

Oh no! Jet Jaguar is bringing Megalon to Tokyo

All right! Playboys in the truck! I knew I liked those guys for a reason.

Stock military footage.

Okay you guys, just dump that bad guy anywhere.

Now, unleash the models!

While you're at it, just dump that cargo container anywhere. Into the damn? Why not!

Now the truck drivers are car thieves. Good thing our heroes have an entire garage of vehicles at their disposal or they would be pissed.

Oh yeah. They'd survive being tossed about in the container like that.

Come on Megalon -- let's see some real destruction.

Deus ex machina! Jet Jaguar is free from its evil spell.

Battle number one! Those trees are taking a beating. Here's an idea aim those weapons at the giant monster!

Why doesn't Megalon fly? It's pretty silly to hop around like that.

Get Gigan on the phone. Megalon needs some help.

Pull up you're going in too low!

I think those models were just destroyed by Megalon. I mean...

You looked for the model shop keeper, that's good enough, just take one.

Hey! Jet Jaguar speaks Godzillan.

Big G is on the way, but the city is taking a beating.

I smell an overly complicated plan to get the bad Seatopian out of the lab. It didn't work as well as they'd hoped.

Let's just let the bad guy go. The script writers will figure a way to get rid of him. And, he's dead.

Suddenly splodie!

How is that tiny robot going to help Godzilla? I'm thinking another deus ex machina.

Clearly he programmed himself to break the laws of physics.

Another vehicle...

Robots can get dizzy.

The Jag knows karate!

Megalon using all his tricks. I don't know if I would call speed burrowing a power.

Gigan shows up and makes it two against one. Good thing the monsters speak the same language so they can coordinate.

Jet Jaguar needs his tag team partner to show up ASAP.

Is Godzilla skipping? He must be giddy about the upcoming fight.

Gigan and Megalon have never heard of the atomic elbow?

G climbs into the ring and starts off strong.

Feed Megalon that tree! He needs his roughage.

Rope-a-dope is the oldest trick in the book and Godzilla fell for it!

Way to break out the atomic fire on the fly-boys!

Good thinking bugboy -- taunt Godzilla and Jet Jaguar. They're going to open a can of whoopass on you!

More fire for Gigan.

Our bad guy monsters couldn't pick up a kitty. One has hooks and the other have pointy-drilly things. No wonder they're evil!

Ring of fire!

Dancin' Kaijus WMAGNFARB.

You guys forgot that Jet Jaguar can fly. Sometimes the bad guys are so dumb.

How does that atomic fire work for you Megalon?

JJ for the atomic fire assisted body slam!

With Gigan splitting -- time for the flying drop kick on Megalon.

Bad guys defeated. Seatopians seal their entrance. We'll never be bothered by them again.

A found farewell to Big G.

Happy Jet Jaguar theme! Akira Ifikube is getting his money's worth out of the theme. He has lots of arrangements of it.

And like magic, Jet Jaguar returns to normal.

I'm sure that the rogue actions of the robot were an anomaly, nothing to worry about now.

Jet Jaguar theme with words and we're out.

Jet Jaguar Week!

By the powers invested in me by America's Original Evil Ninja Cyborg Incorporated, I hereby declare this week to be Jet Jaguar week!

For this week, I plan to live blog a viewing of Godzilla vs. Megalon -- the subtitled unedited Japanese version. It is the movie in which Jet Jaguar appears. Further, I plan to watch an American dubbed version. And I plan to watch the MST3k Version. Perhaps some comparing and contrasting may occur. A full review. Maybe some discussion of Rex Dart Eskimo spy. Who knows. It's going to be lots of Jet Jaguary fun! Join me won't you?