Terror of Mechagodzilla (1978)

Excellent but underrated film

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Terror of MechaGodzilla was pretty much just a way to profit off of Godzilla Vs. MechaGodzilla for a second time. However, we all know why this film is so well known to fans, and that's because of Titanosaurus (which is also the name of a real dinosaur that has no relation). Titanosaurus is a highly loved Monster from the Godzilla series, and to be honest I feel like this film would have worked out just fine if it was just Godzilla vs. Titanosaurus. The monster is humongous and beautifully made, no one could live up to a semi aquatic Kaiju like him. I mean yes, the movie itself is watchable but, it does tend to focus a bit too much on the humans in my opinion, which is a problem a lot of monster movies have. I love Titanosaurus though, He's the centerpiece for this film.

"Terror of Mechagodzilla" is a direct sequel to "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla" (1974) and opens with a submarine looking for the remnants of the Godzilla's robotic counterpart, thought to be at the bottom of the ocean near Okinawa. The submarine encounters an immense creature, which attacks and destroys the vessel, but not before the doomed crew radio that they are being attacked by a dinosaur. Interpol begins an investigation that leads to deranged misanthrope Dr. Shinzo Mafune and his daughter Katsura who are in league with the aliens that built Mechagodzilla. Mafune has perfected a device that can control the Titanosaurus and the aliens plan to use the combined might of the giant dinosaur and the rebuilt robot to first defeat Godzilla and then conquer the world (starting, of course, with Tokyo). The film, 15th in the series and last of the "Showa period", sees the return of director Ishiro Honda and is more serious (as kaiju films go) and less child-oriented that many of the previous sequels. Mechagodzilla combines the two popular Japanese tropes: mechas (giant robots) and kaiju (giant monsters) and proved to be a popular adversary (returning in both the Heisei and millennium periods). Titanosaurus, despite being quite well done, was a one timer (not counting a cameo in 2004's all-monster spectacular "Godzilla: Final Wars"). In general the monster scenes are pretty good (despite some weak rear-projection shots), although the buildings that they destroy are not as intricately detailed (and therefore less realistic) than in earlier films. Godzilla is less anthropomorphic than in previous outings but continues to 'box' with his opponents and gesture with his 'hands' in a very human fashion. Surprisingly, the film includes a gratuitous 'topless' scene and, although Katsura's exposed 'breasts' are more 'suit-mation', they are a lot more real looking than I was expecting having read about the scene in Kalet's "A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series". The scene is oddly adult in a movie clearly targeting a young audience and was cut from American releases (I am commenting on a subtitled Japanese version of the film). Although the last of its era and not a financial success, "Terror of Mechagodzilla" is a pretty good example of '70s kaiju action. Although a long way from the dark and somber original, the film is less silly than many of its predecessors and is generally an entertaining entry into the series. Best seen in conjunction with it antecedent "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla", although there are sufficient 'flashbacks' for the uninitiated to pick up the (admittedly uncomplicated) storyline.

The best Godzilla movie ever is Godzilla (1998). If you do not think so that's o.k. But if your mad about it grow up frat heads. This is the 15th Godzilla movie. The 11th Godzilla movie Godzilla vs the smog monster is better. The 16th Godzilla movie Godzilla 1985 or The return of Godzilla is also better. The 17th Godzilla movie Godzilla vs B.i.o.l.l.a.n.t.e is also better. It is still a very good movie. Very scary. See it. It is a very good monster movie. It is not as good the 22nd Godzilla movie Godzilla vs Destroyer. It is not as good as part 23 to the Japan Godzilla series Godzilla vs M.e.g.a.g.u.i.r.u.s. The 8th Godzilla movie Son of Godzilla is also better. But still it is a very good movie.

Terror of Mechagodzilla follows "Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla". It would be the last film from the original "Showa" series of Godzilla Films.A submarine goes looking for the remains of Mechagodzilla. It is attacked by a giant dinosaur monster known as Titanosaurus. Later the Simians make a return to Earth and align with a scientist called Dr. Mafune. They bring Mechagodzilla up and repair him and also control Titanosaurus as well. Mafune's daughter Tetsura is killed, so the Simians insert a control for Mechagodzilla into her. Soon the Simians unleash Mechagodzilla and Titanosaurus on Tokyo. Godzilla appears and appears to be the only thing that can save the Earth.Mechagodzilla returns in this film. Definitely one of Godzilla's greatest foes, so it was no surprise that he appeared in another film with Godzilla. Mechagodzilla is a little different acting in this film in that he must wait for Tetsura to give commands. Also his fingers are longer and has revolving missiles added to his arsenal. Also if Mechagodzilla loses his head he has a smaller head underneath that fires a powerful beam of energy. Mechagodzilla can still function without his head in this film. He just can not function once Tetsura is destroyed.Mechagodzilla is not by himself in this film. Titanosaurus assists him in battle with Tokyo and Godzilla. Titanosaurus is a bright red and yellow color and has a long neck and tail that becomes like a fan to create wind storms. Also he can jump far and is quite a formidable fighter. However Titanosaurus is not really an evil monster, he is just taken control of by Mafune and the Simians and forced to be evil. A really good monster that only shows up in this film, but I like that he is in it. In fact, Titanosaurus is the main monster in this film and is on screen more than Godzilla and Mechagodzilla.Godzilla is not in this movie as much as he probably should be, he is over shadowed by both Titanosaurus and Mechagodzilla. This really is more of a Mechagodzilla film than a Godzilla film. But Godzilla does get his fair share of action towards the end. Godzilla has no help in this film, it is him against both Mechagodzilla and Titanosaurus. That is pretty cool.The monster action is pretty good in this film. Mechagodzilla gets to do some awesome destruction scenes on Japan. Godzillas fight with Mechagodzilla at the end of this film I think is a better overall fight because both monsters get to get in some action. It is not just one sided. There is no blood spilling all over the place in this one, I am not complaining just saying that I guess they thought that they went overboard in the last film.FOr the most part I thought the acting was good in this film. The young man who is in love with Getsura really shows great emotion and the SImians and Dr. Mafune are good bad guys.The story is great. It starts off with a search for Mechagodzilla's head. Then Titanosaurus appears and becomes the main focus for a while. Then Godzilla shows up and later Mechagodzilla comes back. Just a lot of good timing for monsters entering. A really well written and well acted film. This is one of the best and most under rated of the entire series.The music is great. It is not the same score from Terror of Mechagodzilla, it is different and more darker sounding. I guess they made great music a priority in the films starring Mechagodzilla. THis is one of my favorite music scores from any Godzilla movie.Complaint, well this will be tough. I guess one thing is that if you are watching this film to see Mechagodzilla you have to wait a long time to see him up and going. But that is really nitpicking.One last thing, the Japanese Version has quite a few differences. FOr one when the Simians are turning Tetsura into a cyborg you can see her nude breasts, I think that is the only nudity in a Godzilla Film. Also the American Version completely botches the ending where Tetsura must make a vital decision in regards to saving herself or the planet. I do not want to give away too much.A great film. If you liked Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla then you will love this one. Highly recommended.