Godzilla – Page 8 – Colin McMahon

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster or How Godzilla Became the Good Guy

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Colin McMahon

I had some debate this morning as to what post to write. Should I write the Godzilla-related post that I had planned or should I instead pen a piece about the Montreal Canadiens, and the glorious level of hypocrisy they set for the rest of the NHL? As writing about the Canadiens now could be seen as a “sore-loser” move (seriously, the Bruins would have lost to any quality team… doesn’t matter who you’re playing when you can’t pass and you can’t shoot), I will put it off for a later date, simply finishing with: go Rangers. Anyway, now that I got that out of the way, let’s get back to Godzilla.

The Montreal Canadien version of Godzilla: smaller, quicker, can't take a shot... but probably could still wreck Boston if none of the city's military was working. — The Montreal Canadien version of Godzilla: smaller, quicker, can’t take a hit… but probably could still wreck Boston if none of the city’s military was working.

As has been stated before in other posts, Godzilla began his creation as an antagonistic force. He terrorized Tokyo and ruined lives. An unstoppable metaphor for the nuclear holocaust that was visited upon Japan at the end of World War II, Godzilla was nothing less than terrifying in his first appearance and played the villain in the following three movies. Yet as most out there already know, Godzilla is famous for more than just being a nuclear metaphor. In many of his films (particularly in his first series of movies, the Showa Era 1954-1975), Godzilla is the hero. The brave monster fighting for humanity against other threats. It should be noted that it was not simply the arrival of these ‘other threats’ that turned Godzilla into the good guy. In his three films after the original, Godzilla faced off against Anguirus, Mohtra, and even King Kong. In all of those movies: Godzilla was the bad guy.

King Kong was seen as the underdog of the fight while Godzilla was depicted as a stupid bully.

It wasn’t until 1964, in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, that Godzilla turned protagonist. For the record, this is not one of the better Godzilla films. It is not horrible, but it is far from the most entertaining. Essentially, it feels like a prototype for the far superior Invasion of Astro-Monster that would be released in the next year. Nevertheless, Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster was the film that introduced Godzilla to traditional, 1960s science fiction themes: namely, aliens. Alongside this introduction to beings from outer space came the unveiling of Godzilla’s greatest nemesis, King Ghidorah (pronounced GE-door-ah or Gi-dora, depending on the movie).

With three, lightning-shooting heads and the ability to fly, Ghidorah was a powerful enemy.

King Ghidorah comes from an unspecified area of space to destroy the world. According to the plot of the film, Venus was once a nice place to live before Ghiodrah got a hold of it. At this point of the movie, Godzilla is still the bad guy. He and Rodan (Row-dan) have been fighting and destroying cities. Mothra shows up to convince the two to put aside their differences and save the Earth. Godzilla and Rodan refuse and it isn’t until they watch Mothra fight Ghidorah alone that the two monsters put aside their differences to stop the evil Ghidorah.

How is that communication-heavy scene of monster interaction accomplished? Quite well actually, thanks to the help of Mothra’s two fairy girls (don’t ask), the Shobijin (I have no idea how to pronounce it). Apparently, Mothra’s priestesses speak very good monster-ese. Regardless, the scene showcases and in-depth look into Godzilla’s psyche. He doesn’t hate people per say… he just doesn’t think much of humanity’s greatest achievements. By giving Godzilla a less pure evil personality, the film is able to transition him to a creature that can (and does) decide to fight for good. By creating Ghidorah as a nemesis, the series insures that there is usually a creature on screen that is far more evil than Godzilla.

Does any of it make sense: no. Does it work: sure.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Godzilla film series is its commentary on culture. I am not only referring to the original here, but to the entire series. Godzilla can be seen as an allegory to more than just the atomic bombings, he can also be seen as America. Godzilla’s relationship with Japan begins as one of oppression but transforms into a mutually beneficial arrangement. This reflects Japan and the United States changing relationship as the two grew economically closer.

For Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster in particular, Mothra can be seen as Japan: a smaller, weaker force that nevertheless strides for good. Godzilla and Rodan represent America, larger and more powerful but currently indifferent to the plight of the Japanese people. Ghidorah, well that’s easy. This movie was made in the sixties and deals with a threat from outer space. What space-racing nation was challenging the U.S. and its allies at that particular time?

Ghidorah would return many times, including to fight in Destroy All Monsters. Don't ask me for allegory on that one. — Ghidorah would return many times, including to fight in *Destroy All Monsters*. Don’t ask me for allegory on that one.

Is the analogy 100% proof, no but it does highlight that there was more to some (definitely not all) of these movies than just people in suits beating each other up. Transitioning Godzilla into a good guy reflected a changing attitude in Japan. It wouldn’t be until 1984, with a desire to return to the dark tone of the original, that Japan would abandon the benevolent image of Godzilla. He would return to good guy status in later films (notably Godzilla: Final Wars) and it is said that the Big G even sports several shades of hero in the upcoming Gareth Edwards movie.

The review for said film will be going live tonight at midnight, I hope you will check it out.

The Five Essential Godzilla Films (Original not Included)

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Over the past couple weeks, I have had friends come up to me and go, “So that new Godzilla movie is looking pretty cool, are there any I should watch beforehand?” To which I always reply: “Watch the 1954 original.” That is my go-to answer and I am sticking to it. If anyone out there ever wants to understand why Godzilla became famous, why there are soon-to-be thirty movies starring the King of the Monsters, why this creation matters in culture: the original is the way to go. Problem is, most of my friends have now seen the original and are asking: “What others are worth watching?”

Thirty films is a tough list to narrow down. Really, the original is the best, and if you can only watch one Godzilla film before the release of Gareth Edwards‘ Godzilla, that should be it. That said, if you feel yourself craving a little bit more of the big G (yeah, that’s a fan nickname… just so cool right now), the following are my top five recommendations.

5. Godzilla vs. Destroyah (1995)

Godzilla vs. Destroyah is the last in the second series of Godzilla movies (known as the Heisei series 1984-1995). For the record, this is my least favorite series of Godzilla films. It is more serious in tone than the first (the Showa series 1954-1975) while loosing nearly everything that (in my opinion) made the series fun. None of the “serious” Heisei films come anywhere close to being as effective as the 1954 original, but they do try… kinda. Right, now that I have bashed the Heisei enough, let me say why Godzilla vs. Destroyah is a Godzilla film worth watching:

Godzilla can barely contain all of his power in this movie.

This is the movie (outside of the original) where Godzilla dies (spoiler alert). This was a huge deal back in 1995 and is still worth noting today. I remember hearing about this in the news – here in the United States. When else, outside of a Hollywood remake, has Godzilla made the American TV news? Remember, the internet wasn’t a thing back then so this is even bigger. It took me a couple years to track down a bootleg VHS copy, but it was worth the effort.

Destroyah is actually created as a result of the oxygen destroyer. This ties into the first film and reinforces the theme that devastating weapons create devastating monsters.

Godzilla vs. Destroyah features the excellent monster effects that highlight the Heisei series. Destroyah looks sinister, like Godzilla is fighting the giant monster version of the devil. The plot is also more interesting than most as the humans have to try and figure out how to survive Godzilla’s meltdown (he is dying from an overload of radioactive energy). There is one sequence in particular that sticks out in my mind: the humans fight a bunch of primitive-form Destroyahs in an industrial complex. They go in guns blazing but just get annihilated. If this sequence is sounding like something out of Aliens, that is because it is.

Many of the Godzilla movies feature elements that are… let’s say similar to other culturally significant films. The better Godzilla movies incorporate those elements and make them fun. Godzilla vs. Destroyah accomplishes this well and is definitely worth the watch.

4. Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001)

Also known as GMK, this film has a very unique feel to it. Of all the Godzilla films to approach the allegory of the original, this one comes the closest. It is the third in the third series of Godzilla films (the Millennium Series 1999-2004). Take a look at the Godzilla costume for this movie:

The all white pupils make it one of his most striking incarnations. As stated previously, this is a film about allegory… however it is not just nuclear allegory this time. Godzilla represents the angry souls of all of those lost in World War II (this is stated in the movie rather than implied). He has returned to wreak havoc on Japan and make sure that the people are reminded of the suffering that took place. Japan’s only hope, outside of the military, is three guardian monsters. Baragon, Mothra, and King Ghidorah must battle Godzilla and attempt to calm his fury before Japan is destroyed. Interesting note: this is the only time King Ghidorah is every portrayed as a good guy.

Godzilla's atomic breath leaves striking imagery in this film. — Godzilla’s atomic breath leaves striking imagery in this film.

If this movie is sounding weird, it is. It is also very well-filmed. The miniature and costume work are excellent, and there are several sequences that are very effectively directed. Godzilla is made terrifying again, and this is the only time since his creation that it works.

3. Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)

Holy crap this movie! Made to celebrate Godzilla’s fiftieth anniversary, this film is a spiritual remake of Destroy All Monsters (1968). This film features fourteen monsters (14!) and has Godzilla just wade through a stream of enemies as he fights aliens that are attacking the Earth. This might be the most zany Godzilla movie ever made. The plot is this: Godzilla was locked in ice years ago and humanity has moved on, building advanced weapons to fight the other monsters on the planet. The greatest of these weapons is the Gotengo, a flying submarine with a drill on it… yep. Also, mutants have appeared, they’re just like people but more Matrix-y.

This isn't even every monster in the movie. — This isn’t even every monster in the movie.

Anyway, aliens show up and put most of the Earth’s monsters and mutants under their control. Humanity’s last option: wake up Godzilla to fight EVERYTHING. What enfolds next is essentially a never-ending series of action sequences until the credits roll. Oh, Godzilla’s son is in this one too, he exists outside of the plot. I say plot but, don’t watch this movie expecting one. It’s not the point. If you let go of your sense of reason, this is one of the funnest movies out there. Godzilla even fights the first American Godzilla in this movie:

2. Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)

Don’t let the title fool you, this is definitely a Godzilla movie. The fourth Showa movie is one of the best in terms of overall film quality. Director Ishiro Honda (the man who created Godzilla) crafts a very in-depth tale of Japan rebuilding in the wake of disaster. Capitalism is featured… and not overall favorably, as greed drives employers to value money over safety.

The movie opens with a violent storm destroying a large portion of coastline. As the people sift through the wreckage, an enormous egg is discovered. An opportunistic businessman immediately seizes control and starts thinking up ways to use the egg to make money. Only one problem: it’s Mothra’s egg (giant moths lay eggs apparently). Oh, Godzilla also washed up as well. He isn’t discovered right away as he was buried by other debris but, he makes himself known fairly quickly.

This Godzilla suit is regarded as one of the best in the series.

There is just something about this movie that really makes it work. The costume design is one of the best, the characters are interesting, the fights are cool… oh, and the plot, for the most part, makes sense. This is a rare combo in Godzilla movies. Interesting note: this is the last of the Showa series to feature Godzilla as an antagonist. Going forward, he would be transformed into the hero of Earth, fighting any threat to mankind… and speaking of threats to mankind –

1. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)

I may be biased here: this is the first Godzilla film that I ever saw. This was the fourteenth film in the Showa series and celebrated Godzilla’s twentieth birthday… by making him fight a giant, mechanized version of himself.

One of Mechagodzilla's many abilities. — One of Mechagodzilla’s many abilities.

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla is a movie featuring spies, ape-like aliens, explosions, gore, monsters, and an overly-long musical number. Godzilla is the good guy, joining forces with Anguirus (Aang-gear-us) and King Caesar to fight the evil Mechagodzilla. The ape-like aliens, they control Mechagodzilla. The spies, members of the human race trying to thwart the aliens. The explosions, Mechagodzilla shoots more projectiles than any other two monsters in the Godzilla series. The gore, Mechagodzilla makes Godzilla bleed. The monsters: I already mentioned them. The overly-long musical number exists to wake up King Caesar, here it is:

This movie is campy in the best way. I absolutely love it.

So there you have it, five Godzilla movies that are worth checking out. If any out there manage to brave these selections and desire more, my runners up are as follows: Invasion of Astro Monster, Son of Godzilla, Destroy All Monsters, Godzilla vs. Megalon, and Godzilla vs. Biollante. If you feel like watching any more beyond those then do yourself a favor: take a month and watch a Godzilla movie a day. At least you’ll be able to cross that off the Bucket List once you’re done.

Godzilla's Worst Villain: Ebirah (Also Known as the Sea Monster)

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Anyone out there who knows me can tell you: I’m a Godzilla fan. There have already been a couple of posts on this site about the King of the Monsters and, with the upcoming release of the new movie (and to celebrate the 60th anniversary) there will be quite a few Godzilla-related posts in the coming weeks. I will do my best to not get totally consumed and post additional articles but… no promises. Anyhoo here we go with the first post, focusing on what might be the lamest of Godzilla’s foes.

Ladies and gentlemen: Ebirah. It looks goofy because it is.

Let the record show: I do not think there really is a bad Godzilla monster. Each is classic in its own way. Ebirah (pronounced Eb-E-ra, go ahead and scream it, you’ll sound so cool) may be a giant lobster but works in Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster. Overall, he (or she… who knows what Ebirah’s gender is – let’s go with he) is only lame in concept. This is a creation that never had any hope of beating Godzilla. A giant lobster, seriously? He can’t shoot fire, he can’t fly… he isn’t even that big when compared to Godzilla. None of that stopped Ebirah from being the main villain in Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster.

So how did this happen? Did Toho just get lazy with monster creation? Were two producers out to dinner and one was like “this lobster shell is really tough to crack” and the other responded with “you’re a genius!”? The answer is actually an interesting (and unbelievably geeky) piece of monster movie trivia. Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster did not start out as a Godzilla movie. That’s right, the King of the Monsters was actually one of the last pieces added to the script. The film’s original title was Operation Robinson Crusoe: King Kong vs. Ebirah. That’s right… take a moment to enjoy that title, that really is a wonderfully cheesy title.

Cause this would have been so less silly.

Japanese film company Toho began the project with western film studio Rankin-Bass. Needless to say, there was a (temporary) falling out between the two companies and Rankin-Bass withdrew the rights to King Kong. Toho then had to scramble to find a new leading monster. Lucky for them, they were Toho and had access to what is probably the largest lineup of famous giant monsters EVER, with the obvious highlight being Godzilla.

So Ebirah, who was initially just supposed to be beaten by a giant ape, had to instead battle a hundred-and-fifty foot, radioactive, fire-breathing monster. Ebirah remained simply… a very large lobster. The fight unfolds much the way that would be expected. Granted, Godzilla battles in a very King-King-like way initially (he picks up rocks and throws them at Ebirah, instead of simply just blasting him with fire). It’s comical in a way that matches the very light nature of the film (this is one of the funnest Godzilla movies in my opinion). The fight ultimately ends with Godzilla doing what he does:

But man, Ebirah splashed him… don’t know how Godzilla will survive that.

And Ebirah is defeated for the time being. The two fight again and this time Godzilla rips off both of Ebirah’s claws, thus defeating the giant lobster for good. BUT, Ebirah was not done as a Godzilla villain. He would return in (stock footage only) Godzilla’s Revenge (there will be a post on this movie… it is a thing) and again in Godzilla: Final Wars.

While not an actual shot from the movie... I feel this fits the tone. — While not an actual shot from the movie… I feel this fits the tone.

In Godzilla: Final Wars, Ebirah would gain the dubious honor of being one of the few (if not the only) monster to be soundly beaten by the military. Yeah, such a mighty monster he is… I hope that next they conquer him with a giant pot and some butter. Ebirah does survive the encounter, only to be killed by Godzilla later in the movie.

Ebirah received a shiny new look for Final Wars. — Ebirah received a shiny new look for *Final Wars*.

In terms of laziness, Ebirah isn’t the only “giant something” that Godzilla fought. There was Kumonga (giant spider), kamacuras (giant praying mantis), manda (giant snake), and most famously Mothra (three guesses what Mothra is). The two giant insects appeared in the same movie (Son of Godzilla) and represent a cool idea – insects are terrifying but tiny after all. Manda and Godzilla never directly fought, Manda is always kind of just there. Mothra… well Mothra has magical Moth-god powers… don’t ask. Ebirah got central billing… he was the main new attraction in Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster. A giant lobster… yeah.