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

[King Caesar]

This is my third favorite Godzilla movie. Nick Adams was fun to watch (especially compared to someone like Russ Tamblyn, who only knows the expression of utter boredom) and the rest of the cast is pretty great as well. The end fight isn't the greatest, but the movie has a lot of rewatch-value to me...maybe it's the human plot, or maybe its the monsters. Either way, I like it. A lot.

[Goji]

I can't be the only one who disliked the movie can I?

Around these parts, It's certainly possible, yes.

[TokyoVigilante]

This used to be my favorite film of the franchise, but it's gone down a couple notches, losing out to King Kong vs. Godzilla, Mothra vs. Godzilla, and Ghidorah, the Three-headed Monster. The whole space opera angle this film is notable for doesn't really appeal to me that much. I prefer Godzilla's earth bound adventures considerably more. Going to space just seems like a cheap way to make a film feel grand in scope and create interesting visuals (which this film does accomplish quite well) and I like seeing the different concepts and directions taken to create something visually spectacular while still being on Earth fightly Earthly opponents.

But the Xilians are still spectacular antagonists, hitting a nice mix of goofy/sinister. The production values get a noticeable upgrade from Ghidora, the human cast is lean and well defined (unlike its successor, Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster) all with memorable roles and personalities. The overall production design is one of the best of the franchise, period. It's really great not only getting cool looking invaders, but getting to explore their bizzare and fantasy-styled homeworld. Something that we don't actually get to see again from any of the Toho roster of alien invaders.

Still love it, still think it's great, just not the "best of the best" I once thought it was.

[JAGzilla]

This was one of my first kaiju movies, probably the fourth or fifth I watched when first discovering the genre back in '97 or so. I remember mostly being bored (being a dumb little kid) for that first viewing, though the memorable fight scenes (especially the battle on Planet X) stuck with me. Didn't see it again until '05, as part of a SciFi marathon, though after two other movies I was too burned out to care and found it mind-numbingly dull. Then I finally bought the DVD last April and unexpectedly enjoyed it a lot, though my very low expectations may have influenced that. As it stands, it's definitely in my top five Godzilla movies.

I really like the Xilliens, they're probably my favorite aliens in the franchise. Cold, sinister robots with a simple plan that actually made sense. It was cool that they used their ships as part of the attack; too many other invaders are weakened by over-reliance on their monsters, so it was nice to see some that were smart enough to have other options, even if they ultimately didn't help. Other assorted good points:

- The Mega Monster War March. Pure win.

- Godzilla's jumping dance.

- Enjoyable human characters played by good actors.

I'm planning to watch it for the fourth time later tonight if I can pry my little brother and sister away from the third most evil video game of all time, Lego Indiana Jones. Hopefully it holds up again now that my expectations are high.

[Destroyer]

This film is special because not only is it a good Godzilla film, it's a very well-done science fiction story, with or without the monsters. I love the tag team of Godzilla and Rodan, they are just cool to watch working together. Also, the fights were fantastic.

[Rody]

I rediscovered an old article on SciFi Japan the other day:

The Ultimate Showa Film:MONSTER ZERO

Now I REALLY need to see this film again.

[PopInPicsPresents]

I rediscovered an old article on SciFi Japan the other day:

The Ultimate Showa Film:MONSTER ZERO

Now I REALLY need to see this film again.

Whoever wrote that article seems to have over analyzed the hell out of the movie.

[Legion1979]

Better than over-analyzing the hollow soul-less stuff we've gotten recently, GMK aside.

[ghidorasauras]

it was good but not as good as ghidorah the three-headed
monster

[ebirahsmeg1]

What is it lately with this recent trend with fandom from both TK and CT constantly comparing GTTHM and GvsMonster Zero solely to put one of the films down in favor of the other? Is it because they both have Ghidorah in them? Literally every other post is almost solely "I like GvsMonster Zero better than GTTHM "(or Visa Versa). I don't see any other two showa films constantly being compared to each other like this. They're both outstanding films (and vastly different films too) from the Golden Age of TOHO SFX films that stand on their own. Of course, there's nothing wrong with preferring one over the other; however, lately it seems like an obsession for many fans to put one down and say the other is better (it happens even moreso in GTTHM discussions threads)....I don't get it.

[leunames]

What is it lately with this recent trend with fandom from both TK and CT constantly comparing GTTHM and GvsMonster Zero solely to put one of the films down in favor of the other? Is it because they both have Ghidorah in them? Literally every other post is almost solely "I like GvsMonster Zero better than GTTHM "(or Visa Versa). I don't see any other two showa films constantly being compared to each other like this. They're both outstanding films (and vastly different films too) from the Golden Age of TOHO SFX films that stand on their own. Of course, there's nothing wrong with preferring one over the other; however, lately it seems like an obsession for many fans to put one down and say the other is better (it happens even moreso in GTTHM discussions threads)....I don't get it.

it's an inevitable comparison since they both feature KG and they are adjacent to each other in the series as well as having the exact same monster cast, save for mothra.

I loved GTTHM but for me Monster Zero was a real let down after that. There wouldn't be so much comparison if the two were split apart in the series. As it is they're in direct succession so it's really a foregone conclusion that they'll be measured against each other.

[RedZillaKing]

For me this is the quintessential Showa Godzilla film. It has an alien invasion, Miss Namikawa, Godzilla/Rodan tag team, Ghidorah being badass, Miss Namikawa, an eccentric inventor, Godzilla dancing, and Miss Namikawa.

[TokyoVigilante]

For me this is the quintessential Showa Godzilla film. It has an alien invasion, Miss Namikawa, Godzilla/Rodan tag team, Ghidorah being badass, Miss Namikawa, an eccentric inventor, Godzilla dancing, and Miss Namikawa.

At first I just saw the humor in this, but then I remembered that there are literally three Miss Namikawa's in this film.

[RedZillaKing]

My favorite shot in the movie is when Goji just launches himself into Ghidorah. It's just ridiculously beautiful in its Showa ness.

[Destroyer]

My favorite shot in the movie is when Goji just launches himself into Ghidorah. It's just ridiculously beautiful in its Showa ness.

That's a great scene for sure. My personal favorite would have to be when Rodan grabbed Godzilla by the shoulders and they both fell into Ghidorah. Ah, these classic Showa moments will never be topped.

[Rody]

@ebirahsmeg1, I believe you have stated before how MOTHRA, GHIDORAH & ASTRO-MONSTER sort of make a trilogy of films. Perhaps this has something to do with the comparison of the latter two -- not your specific comment, of course, but the fact that these two films are fairly closely connected, resulting in fans comparing the two.

[ZillaMaster91]

I recently watched Invasion of the Astro Monster after a long time and still it remains my favorite of the Showa films!
Great human characters, great story, and the effects were some of the best out of the entire Showa series. It's a fantastic blend of the science fiction and monster movie genres.

[miguelnuva]

What is it lately with this recent trend with fandom from both TK and CT constantly comparing GTTHM and GvsMonster Zero solely to put one of the films down in favor of the other? Is it because they both have Ghidorah in them? Literally every other post is almost solely "I like GvsMonster Zero better than GTTHM "(or Visa Versa). I don't see any other two showa films constantly being compared to each other like this. They're both outstanding films (and vastly different films too) from the Golden Age of TOHO SFX films that stand on their own. Of course, there's nothing wrong with preferring one over the other; however, lately it seems like an obsession for many fans to put one down and say the other is better (it happens even moreso in GTTHM discussions threads)....I don't get it.

Probable because their sequels/prequels to each other and apart of the unofficial Ghidorah Trilogy.

[RedZillaKing]

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I wanna dance with Godzilla...

[Goji]

Probable because their sequels/prequels to each other and apart of the unofficial Ghidorah Trilogy.

I didn't realize that Ghidorah was in MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA. Did I miss something?