Godzilla vs. Mothra (1964)

A must have

This is a DVD that all collectors must have. there are two version of the film the original Japanese version in 2;35;1 and the US version as it was when it was first release as Godzilla vs the thing in 1;85;1. that is the way the US version should be shown. with its original US title intact. September 27, 2007

An Almost Adequate Dvd II

The original Japanese theatrical release is remastered and looks pristine. However, this is not the case with the American English dubbed version. Classic Media should've reconsidered cleaning up the American version as one may want to watch it as an alternative to reading and concentrating on the subtitles.

Included on the dvd are features that are welcomed by die hard fans of Godzilla but personally I would've wanted interviews with stars of the film-giving their insights on the movie, experience in filming scenes etc. It especially would've been a treat if they were able to get an exclusive interview with the peanuts.

In short, this should be in any Godzilla collection especially for completists. August 25, 2007

GOOD ENTRY IN THE SERIES BETTER TREATMENT FOR FILMS

I have said this in my past reviews of the Godzilla series, I grew up on these films and I have fond memories of watching them, but they are very juvenile. Even the Japanese versions are juvenile.....Having said that, I wish that these films were cleaned up. The print here isn't bad, but looks like there is room for much improvement. The features are quite good and considering the age of the material it is nice to see some of this stuff. I think 3 stars for any of these Godzilla movies is fair.....5 stars? Come on this isn't "Gone with the Wind" Please(Big G fans)don't have a hissy fit. I'm not really bashing "old radiation breath" he is a part of my childhood. If the prints were cleaned up and the extras were longer I'd give the release 5 stars. As it is, it's a fun entry in a juvenile series. August 9, 2007

One Godzilla film you MUST have in your collection

After his giant battle with King Kong, the monster known as Godzilla returns. Only this time, he's up against a giant moth who's preventing him from attacking more civilians. In 1964, the Toho Company released the fourth movie in the Godzilla series, "Mothra vs. Godzilla." Known in the United States as "Godzilla Vs. The Thing," the film was a product of the celebrated creative team of Shinichi Sekizawa (screenplay), Ishiro Honda (human drama), and Eiji Tsuburaya (special effects). Mothra Vs. Godzlla is known by fans everywhere as "Godzilla's finest hour," for its good sound effects, tone and script. It's also the most popular and memorable film in the franchise. Mothra Vs. Godzilla is widely considered to be the best of all the sequels. Watching it again after so many years, I find that statement to be very true. This is one of the best Godzilla movies out there. If you want to see Godzilla in his prime, then this is the movie you have watch; for it truly is his finest hour.

After a giant typhoon hits Tokyo, a news reporter named Sakai and his photographer Junko take pictures of the damage. Later that same day, the local villagers discover a giant monster egg washed ashore on the beach. The villagers salvage it and scientists come to study the egg. No one knows whose egg it is and where it came from. While Sakai and Junko try to ask Professor Miura questions about the egg, an entrepreneur of Happy Enterprises named Kumayama scurries the scientists off and explains that he bought the egg from the local villagers. Instead of letting scientists study the egg, Kumayama wants to make it apart of a tourist attraction. Kumayama wants to make more cash by having customers pay to see the giant egg hatch. Sakai, Junko, and Professor Miura are disgusted by the idea and believe that Kumayama has no right to keep the egg. As Kumayama discusses the tourist attraction with his boss, they are visited by two tiny twin girls.

The two girls explain that they are from Infant Island and that the egg belongs to a monster named Mothra. The twins later leave with nothing after pleading with the two men on giving the egg back. The twins then turn to the newspaper journalists for help, but still fail. Later, Sakai, Junko, and Professor Miura then go out testing for radioactivity in an industrial area. That's when Godzilla suddenly pops out of the beach (where he supposedly left off after his fight with King Kong) and begins to attack the surrounding cities. With very little hope that the military will defeat Godzilla, another reporter suggests that the friendly Mothra might be able to get rid of the monster. Sakai, Junko, and Professor Miura then head to infant island to warn the villagers that Mothra's egg might be in danger, resulting in a climatic battle between Mothra and Godzilla.

This was one of the many Godzilla movies I remembered watching as a kid. Back then I was always fascinated with Godzilla, so I was pretty heart broken to see him defeated at the hands of Mothra's babies. I was young at the time, so I wasn't as into the story. I always figured that Godzilla was a good guy, so I was really ticked off when I first saw this movie. It wasn't until I got older that I realized Godzilla was the bad guy. In fact, the early movies presented Godzilla as a menace. A punishment for the sins of World War 2. A result from the fallout of a hydrogen bomb test. A giant fire breathing villain with a sweet tooth for destruction (alright you get the idea). The other monster in the movie, Mothra, is actually a nice creature. A sort of "love" monster if you will. This film marks the first appearance of Mothra in the Godzilla series. Mothra would later appear in many other Godzilla films.

Mothra Vs. Godzilla is one of the key movies in the Godzilla franchise, due mostly to its popularity. It's one of my all time favorite monster movies. It has a great story, a good cast of characters and a great script. It's top notch compared to many other films in the series. If this isn't already in your collection then you should be ashamed of yourself. Mothra Vs. Godzilla is a must own for monster movie and Godzilla buffs alike. Much like the previous re-releases, Genius Products attached both the original Japanese-language and English-dubbed versions of the movie. As always, the Japanese cut of the movie is better (and less confusing). Once again it's not jam packed with bonus material, but there is a commentary track and "Akira Ifukube biography" featurette. If you're looking for a great monster movie then look no further. The Toho Master re-release of Mothra Vs. Godzilla is one that you must have in your collection.


July 8, 2007

Classic

What can be better than a giant lizard fighting a giant moth? Not much if you ask me, and this film has that and much, much more, including mystery, intrigue, and tiny little people in polynesian garb. This is a must see for any aspiring Godzilla fan. June 21, 2007

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