Tag: godzilla

Godzilla vs Kong is the worst possible outcome for the American depiction of a symbolic Japanese creation.

Godzilla doesn't rush into city-smashing spectacle, bravely going against expectations, and aside from missteps, it's a special blockbuster.

Closing Japan’s Wartime History Akihiko Hirata’s final role in a Godzilla film came in Terror of Mechagodzilla. Like in 1954 as Dr. Serizawa, he again plays a scientist, although …

Repairing History with Robot Monsters On Okinawa, an elder High Priest pleads for Godzilla to destroy mainland Japan. He’s vengeful. His Azumi clan was wiped out, presumably during World …

Jet Jaguar, Stop! Nuclear tests begin Godzilla vs Megalon’s story. Those blasts sink Monster Island and suck the water from a lake. Angered by the repeated blasts and resulting …

Roach Infested Alien cockroaches from outer space leave their polluted planet, head to Earth, and build a children’s theme park. That’s kooky material, even by 1970s Godzilla standards. Godzilla …

Smoggy As Godzilla vs Hedorah’s opening credits close, a broken clock floats on ocean sludge. An hour chime sounds. Then a smash cut to a close-up of bright flowers. …

Undervalued Parable At the end of All Monsters Attack, 10 year-old Ichiro (Tomonori Yazaki) fights a bully to earn respect. Then, Ichiro torments a sign maker. It’s an oft …

Do the Monster Mash Set in 1999, Destroy All Monsters conceives an internationally shared space headquarters on Iwo Jima. At Destroy All Monsters’ release in 1968, Iwo Jima remained …

Baby Doll Soaking in island heat, Son of Godzilla wrestles with Japanese idealism. Scientists engage in experiments meant to solve Earth’s forthcoming hunger crisis, seeking to turn weather in …

History in Monsters During World War II’s final days, Okinawa became a pivotal battleground. Prior, Imperial Japan took control of the island, effectively enslaving the native population, using propaganda …

Dirty Stinkin’ Rats Everything the alien Xiliens do is commanded by computers. Their entire society is based on rapid calculations. No one loves and no one marries without the …