Talkback Thread #10: All Monsters Attack (1969)

[Maritonic]

Not sure why this is a point of contention.

Because not everyone perceives the character or the circumstances the same way that you do.

I never said everyone did. I have said that I have.

[Zarm]

I certainly do. The way he acts the entire film. He's not really a "good" kid. He's kind of a shithead haha.

I can't think of any moments in which he demonstrates cruelty, or exploits any kind of power over anyone else.

From my perspective, he's simply not a "nice, good" child. He's a punk. He jumps on the guys car, punks the painter guy, laughs at the old man's pain and expense.

I think from my perspective, this is it, too. He demonstrates cruelty to the painter; that, to me, is the key. It's not necessarily that he is going to be a bully to those in a lower social strata- but he does go after someone unsuspecting, who has done no harm to them- and the potential for his actions to cause them harm is something he expressed awareness of earlier in the movie. That, combined with a general lack of compassion, kindness, responsibility, etc. (i.e. general being a jerk), combines to paint a poor character picture. He doesn't seem to care much about anyone else; never really thanks his saint of a neighbor, I don't recall him ever sticking up for his friend (I thought he just abandoned her when the bullies showed up, but I freely admit I don't remember clearly enough to say), doesn't respect other people's property or consider when they may be in pain or distress; sure, all of these are kid traits. But when he caps it off by doing something malicious to a person that, while not of lower social strata, is still very much someone he has power over (via the element of surprise, their unsuspecting nature, and remote position)- something that he does knowingly, having already recognized the potential consequences to their person earlier- it paints him as, if not technically a 'bully' in the traditional 'picking on the younger/weaker' sense, still someone with a bullying, cruel, or thuggish mindset... someone who has turned on the moral code he previously espoused (and which already had some significant... room for improvement, to begin with).

(Although, I do find the toymaker in pain scene ambiguous enough that I could read it as 'Ichiro didn't quite realize he'd gotten hurt, and was just being a little clueless in thinking the guy was practicing his monster roars while holding his foot.' I mean, let's face it- kids can be a bit dense, sometimes.)

[The Baranosdragon]

Honestly, when all is said and done... I dislike this film, but not to the level many others tend to. Sure, Godzilla's new suit is rather lame, Minilla talking was completely unnecessary, Gabara is likely among the worst monsters introduced to the franchise, and the overall production of the film comes across as rather crude... but even with all of that said, there is minor entertainment value in this film, if for the wrong reasons. Even if this film may be among the worst produced in the franchise, it at least has the advantage of being entertaining, if nothing else.

[eabaker]

Godzilla's new suit is rather lame

There was no new suit made for this movie. What little new fx footage they filmed used the suit from DAM.

[UltramanGoji]

Speaking of suits, this would technically be the film with the largest amount of distinct designs used to represent a single Godzilla (NankaiGoji, SoshingekiGoji, MusukoGoji).

[The Baranosdragon]

Godzilla's new suit is rather lame

There was no new suit made for this movie. What little new fx footage they filmed used the suit from DAM.

Oh, it was? My mistake.

Correction: I am not a fan of SoshingekiGoji, and wish they had used a new design (outside of stock footage). I suppose that was a symptom of tighter budgets.

[Terasawa]

Speaking of suits, this would technically be the film with the largest amount of distinct designs used to represent a single Godzilla (NankaiGoji, SoshingekiGoji, MusukoGoji).

What about Godzilla vs. Gigan? Soshingeki and Musuko in new footage plus Daisenso and Mosu in stock footage.

[UltramanGoji]

Speaking of suits, this would technically be the film with the largest amount of distinct designs used to represent a single Godzilla (NankaiGoji, SoshingekiGoji, MusukoGoji).

What about Godzilla vs. Gigan? Soshingeki and Musuko in new footage plus Daisenso and Mosu in stock footage.

Oh damn, you're right. Totally forgot about the Daisenso footage in Gigan.

[Terasawa]

Speaking of suits, this would technically be the film with the largest amount of distinct designs used to represent a single Godzilla (NankaiGoji, SoshingekiGoji, MusukoGoji).

What about Godzilla vs. Gigan? Soshingeki and Musuko in new footage plus Daisenso and Mosu in stock footage.

Oh damn, you're right. Totally forgot about the Daisenso footage in Gigan.

I just realized there are also four in Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla: MogeGoji, RadoGoji, and BatoGoji in new footage and BioGoji in stock footage.

[Zarm]

Can anyone do 5?

[LSD Jellyfish]

Can anyone do 5?

Godzilla final wars takes the cake if you count the opening credits

[Gojirawars 03]

Can anyone do 5?

Godzilla final wars takes the cake if you count the opening credits

The intro sequence to the American cut of Terror of Mechagodzilla technically uses footage of almost every Showa suit from 1964-1975.

[Mr_Goji_and_Watch]

Stumbled upon this great video, definitely worth watching.

[LSD Jellyfish]

Stumbled upon this great video, definitely worth watching.

Absolutely fantastic. First off, great effects, and I like the little skit surrounding it; works well as a satire of the film but also does not take away from the actual criticism.

Second, analysis is fantastic. One thing I’d like to talk about, is that while yes bullying is a stereotypical trope of modern media, particularly from the 90’s onwards, I think during its run it was rare, and very similar to the film that is mentioned, but also a bunch of other films I’ve seen like Good Morning/Ohayou. Also, while I used to criticism the films message on bullying from a western perspective, I now see it as really uplifting and cathartic.

Thanks for showing me this video.

[mikelcho]

Can anyone do 5?

Godzilla final wars takes the cake if you count the opening credits

The intro sequence to the American cut of Terror of Mechagodzilla technically uses footage of almost every Showa suit from 1964-1975.

Shouldn't that be 1964-1974?

[LSD Jellyfish]

Godzilla final wars takes the cake if you count the opening credits

The intro sequence to the American cut of Terror of Mechagodzilla technically uses footage of almost every Showa suit from 1964-1975.

Shouldn't that be 1964-1974?

TOMG came out in 1975?
Unless what you mean is that the suit is the same.

[UltramanGoji]

Which it isn’t.

[Terasawa]

mikelcho is right though, the quote was “the intro sequence... uses footage of almost every Showa suit from 1964-1975.” The intro has no new original footage of the ‘75 costume.

[LSD Jellyfish]

mikelcho is right though, the quote was “the intro sequence... uses footage of almost every Showa suit from 1964-1975.” The intro has no new original footage of the ‘75 costume.

Ah okay, I get what you mean.

[szmigiel]

The review makes some pretty good points, and I have always said that AMA is a well crafted film. But for me the latchkey kid storyline has always feel short, even when watching it subtitled. When I was a kid I think Godzilla Revenge would be about the only movie I would skip watching on TV. As for the stock footage it is probably the most creative use, and makes since in an age before home media was even a possibility.

He also brings up the comparison to stock footage use in Godzilla Vs Gigan. Which is actually the total opposite for me, I like the character story, and really don't like the kaiju battles.