Talkback Thread #6: Invasion of the Astro Monster (1965)

[Arrow]

Godzilla and Rodan face off against King Ghidorah.

Discuss this all-time classic. I will say this: Akira Ifukube's "Monster War March" theme has been one of my favorite Godzilla themes to this day.

[alienhulk2099]

It's my favorite Showa Godzilla movie, 'nough said. Not really much else I can say on that other than that it was very entertaining.

[Hellspawn28]

It was a very enteraining movie with a good human characters, and a fun action to watch. I enjoy this movie much more then I did with KG: The Three Headed Monster.

[HayesAJones]

This is a great movie. While I tend to overlook it because it comes after one of my favorite films of the series, it really is a lot of fun. It's stand out a lot for first introducing the idea of a alien race controlling the monsters as weapons, a plot point that would be used in a good number of future movies. And I love the "Monster War March" too.

[Terrier]

One of my favourites too. I just love it. The monster scennes, though short, are great, specially the destruction scenne at the climax (Besides the stock footage scennes).

King Ghidorah is awesomly animated; there is a scenne that got stuck in my mind, before the space battle, with King Ghidorah flying in the distance like a shadow covered with mist... The space scennes are also great, I loved the design of the Xian kingdom.

But what made me respect this film are the references to the time it was made... you may remember from the other forum, that topic about the portray of communism, the space race, and Japan relationship with USA and wonder about the communist countries...

[tokyostateofmind]

Yes. it gave us the great and immortal Monster Zero March, which no one can deny gets in your head quite easily.

[DaikaijuSokogeki!]

Hmm, what to say about this film that hasn't already been said...the fact that Nick Adams gives one of the most convincing gaijin performances in a kaiju film ever? That Godzilla's jig is irresistibly cool? That this movie set the standard by which all future Toho alien invasion flicks would be based upon? Anyways, it's a highly entertaining movie and the last truly great work from the original four in my opinion. The final monster battle leaves a bit of a sour taste in my mouth because of its length and unsatisfying conclusion, though. *SPOILERS* I wouldn't have minded King Ghidorah running away if it hadn't given us the impression that Godzilla and Rodan may have died. *END SPOILERS*

So yeah, it's a great film and one definitely worth making a high priority if you're new to the genre.

[Inferno Rodan]

Meh. I like it and all, but personally I prefer GTTHM. The fight scenes were WAY too short to really be satisfying.

[Hedorah]

I love this movie, sure it was a similar situation to the last movie, Ghidorah is back oh noez! But it has a great soundtrack, great fighting, and Godzilla showing off like a football player who just scored, it's a great movie!

[TokyoVigilante]

Probably one of the most interesting human stories in any Godzilla film. The cast is incredibly likable and charismatic and the kaiju perform with charm and personality. King Ghidorah looks better here, I think then in his debut. Mostly due to the suit looking more natural. The solid Gold hue is a bit duller and looks more convincing that way.

Easily my favorite Godzilla film.

[ZigraDude]

Monster Zero is one of my favorite Godzilla movies. The human cast really shines in this movie and makes up for the short battles, although I still enjoy them. The controller of Planet X is just awesome as well as Akira Takarada and Nick Adams. You really had a sense of feeling that those two were really good friends. And Godzilla dancing on Planet X is just made of win.

[SuperSaiyan4Godzilla]

I enjoy the human cast.

I find the monster average a bit subpar. I just don't find it as entertaining as the previous movies. Though, most of the fights with King Ghidorah during the Showa series are a little on the boring side.

I like the Xiliens, I don't like their costumes. THey're interesting, but laughable, villians. The only issue with their character is you KNEW they were evil when you first saw them. They could have made them seem a little more benevolent when you first met them.

I'd give this movie a 7.5/10. Around there.

[Blackout286]

Mmmm, I enjoy is Godzilla film fairly much. Great human cast, awesome Monster destruction and a great final bout against King Ghidorah. Although, at times there are some moments that do seem a bit dull and boring...But it doesn't over-shadow how great the movie is in general. But, Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster still holds the crown as the best Ghidorah movie out of the Ghidorah trilogy imo.

[g2kmaster]

This film is maybe the best of the "alien invasion films" because of how it is handled. We get a good plot twist and we see our heroes on another planet then ours. Now, I perfer the MG duology but this film did it better. Plus, Nick Adams just kicks ass. This film is tits.

http://www.scifijapan.com/news%20bites/mz32.jpg

And I enjoy watching it more than GTTHM.

[Tyler]

I enjoy this even more than Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster but I don't think it's better than Mothra vs. Godzilla. Still a very fun movie and the Xiliens were great bad guys.

[Hellblaze]

Great film I have this movie on VHS and saw it on Monster Vision. Godzilla and Rodan team up and win against Ghidorah.

[GotengoXGodzilla]

Amazing film. Great characters, an interesting plot, the villain wasn't just a monster this time around and another great score by Ifukube. True, there aren't a lot of fight scenes throughout the film, but that obviously wasn't the main focus of the film. And I appreciate that from a Godzilla film.

[Dash 7]

I love this film. Probably my favorite Showa film alongside the original and ToMG. It's very well directed and the characters are enjoyable.

[Mini-Godzilla]

An improvement over the previous Ghidorah movie. The alien invasion is now on in full force, and both Godzilla and Rodan must face the evil space dragon once again. Solid 60's camp, complete with delightfully hokey aliens and memorable scenes all around.

[Goji]

One of my favorite movies of all time. Period. Yes, the monsters don't have a lot of screen time, but that's okay. When they ARE on screen, they look bloody fantastic. The soundtrack to this film is also one of Akira Ifukube's very best, IMO. The Xians were awesome, and are definitely the "best" Aliens in the Godzilla series, IMOHO. The was also the last film where King Ghidorah actually looked good (He's already a little haggard looking by the time of DAM) in the Showa series. The film also has my personal favorite flying Rodan prop in the entire series. It looks really great in a few shots. Also, the DaisensoGoji suit looks SO much better in this film than it does in SEA MONSTER...