Talkback Thread #20: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993)

[NSZ]

This topic should be called GvsMG2 since that's the official title that Toho give the movie.

IN AMERICA!

No seriously, they just left it as GvsMG for domestic and international release. They really love confusing the hell out of us, don't they?

Anyway, I actually found this film boring. And found Miki as annoying as ever. Really makes you wonder if anyone ever introduced her to the families of those killed by Godzilla. Bet ya it'd be a real interesting meeting.

[Legion1979]

This topic should be called GvsMG2 since that's the official title that Toho give the movie.

I'd actually prefer it if people avoided using that title. Is it official? Yes. Does it make any effin' sense? No.

[G1 Startruck Jonez]

This topic should be called GvsMG2 since that's the official title that Toho give the movie.

I'd actually prefer it if people avoided using that title. Is it official? Yes. Does it make any effin' sense? No.

Especially because technically its the 3rd Mechagodzilla movie. Yeah, I hate the GvsMG2 title.

[Arrow]

This topic should be called GvsMG2 since that's the official title that Toho give the movie.

That's the U.S. Title. The International title is Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.

[Toxic Toast]

Well, the number "3" is part of Kiryu's official designation, even though it was the first Mechagodzilla built as far as its movies are concerned. You could think of the "II" for this Mechagodzilla the same way. I don't mind getting a little meta here... it's simpler to say "Mechagodzilla II" than "the Mechagodzilla that G-Force built." It may not be the most logical name for the people within the Heisei series to choose, but I think it makes sense as both the title of the film (the second of three named Godzilla vs./Tai/Against/x Mechagodzilla) and the name of the mech (the second concept of Mechagodzilla that Toho thought up).

Anyway, this is my favorite of the Heisei series. I actually like the quality Arrow mentioned, where both sides are presented somewhat sympathetically instead of one being flowers & love and the other pure dagnasty evil. I also like how this Mechagodzilla lets humans fight Godzilla as personally and on as equal footing as possible (though it was really Mecha-King Ghidorah that did this first in the movies).

[Legion1979]

Well, the number "3" is part of Kiryu's official designation, even though it was the first Mechagodzilla built as far as its movies are concerned. You could think of the "II" for this Mechagodzilla the same way. I don't mind getting a little meta here... it's simpler to say "Mechagodzilla II" than "the Mechagodzilla that G-Force built." It may not be the most logical name for the people within the Heisei series to choose, but I think it makes sense as both the title of the film (the second of three named Godzilla vs./Tai/Against/x Mechagodzilla) and the name of the mech (the second concept of Mechagodzilla that Toho thought up).

The problem with all this is that the Mechagodzilla from Terror of Mechagodzilla is called "Mechagodzilla II", which throws Toho's US numbering system out the window. The '93 film isn't even the second time Godzilla battles Mechagodzilla, so even though the film IS the second film with the title "Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla" it still makes no sense as far as I'm concerned.

Then again, I've never got behind the standardized monster names and film titles Toho has adapted in the past decade or so. I'll never called Angilas "Anguirus" for example, and I think "Desghidorah" is a hilariously awful name that means absolutely nothing. Then there's the ridiculous titles Toho enforces in this country, using titles that these movies have never been called in the US or even using titles that no English language film prints carry. "All Monsters Attack"? That film only went by one title for 40 years and film prints still use the title. What jackass decided to "officially" change it? The film print used for CM DVD is called "Monster Zero" and before that the movie has been known for 20+ years as "Godzilla vs Monster Zero". Now Toho expects everyone to call it "Invasion of Astro Monster"? That's not even grammatically correct. "Godzilla vs the Sea Monster" has always been known by that title in the US, even to this day. But no, Toho's official title is now "Ebirah, Horror of the Deep". What the hell?

I don't think I'd be this aggravated if people didn't just accept this stuff on the grounds that it's "official", even though a lot of it makes no sense whatsoever.

[Mini-Godzilla]

My old review, which failed to mention the faceless characters and the silly Rodan puppet:

Godzilla wanders out of a Mothra movie and into a Super Sentai (or Power Rangers, if you prefer) episode. So, so dull; arguably the worst Heisei Godzilla film in terms of entertainment value. MechaG looks like a mechanical duck, and the general concept of this incarnation is handled much better in the Millennium series with Kiryu.

[HedorahLives]

Anyway, this is my favorite of the Heisei series. I actually like the quality Arrow mentioned, where both sides are presented somewhat sympathetically instead of one being flowers & love and the other pure dagnasty evil. I also like how this Mechagodzilla lets humans fight Godzilla as personally and on as equal footing as possible (though it was really Mecha-King Ghidorah that did this first in the movies).

This. I like that neither Godzilla nor the humans are all good or bad. Shades of gray. Godzilla does cause some massive destruction, but he was looking for his kid that was jacked by some greedy/curious humans. Miki winced when it came time to fire the G-Crusher because she knew deep down that it was a terrible thing to do. I think this movie fits well with Honda's quote that a monster is a monster because he was born too big, too ugly, etc... imo, the top brass at G-Force probably appeared the most villainous throughout the film.

After some reflection, I'd say that this is my favorite Mechagodzilla film, just edging out Terror of Mechagodzilla. As for the general series, I'd say that this has some of the best pacing. It didn't make us wait long for the monsters and it spaced the action sequences out well. I liked pretty much all the fights in the film. I don't even mind Godzilla being...stockier...in comparision to his leaner appearences in prior films. Tiny Rodan gets flack, but I like him. He's a tough, determined little bugger and he gives the other monsters some fine fights. Also, Rodan's revival of Godzilla is a great scene that calls to mind their friendship in the original series. This is also my favorite version of Mechagodzilla probably: in '74, he was an evil robot, in '02 he was a superhero robot...here he's just a cold, emotionaless, neutral implement of destruction. I also like how he evolved out of Mecha King Ghidorah AND the Super X series. Human character-wise, I liked the gawky lead (a descendent of Tatsuo (sp?) from Astro-Monster, i think, and a character that would be resurrected somewhat in the Millenium films) and I'd count this as one of Miki's best appearences, along with Biollante and Destroyah. Everyone else was fine, but not particularly memorable. The absence of annoying children and tacky monologues (a big problem in the Millenium series) helps. The "cosmos" cameo was great. Overall, I like the story a lot and would it consider it one of my favorites.

A few scant complaints: Baby Godzilla movies too much like a guy in a suit at times and is obviously one of Toho's more cynical marketing constructs. That said, I think his character was well written and a great way to introduce a "minya" into the 90s films. Also, while I don't mind G-Force piloting Mechagodzilla personally, it does reek of Power Rangers.

Probably a Top 10 for me and, imo, the unsung hightlight of the 90s films.

[GodzillaDude]

My 2nd favorite Heisei Godzilla film (only surpassed by GvKG). I love the final battle and the start of the bond between Godzilla and Baby Godzilla. Also the Heisei era had my favorite version of Godzilla and is the most powerful one too (besides Meltdown which is the same creature).

[godzilla1996]

Godzilla's suit is bulky, but at-least his beam effects are better then the last film. Baby Godzilla is a neat creation, but a little rubbery. Rodan looks nice, but is executed poorly. Mechagodzilla looks good and bad. His face is bad, but Super Mechagodzilla looks very cool. The score is nice. There's pretty good pacing. The human plot is terrible. The human characters are terrible. Overall, a step down from Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, but a step up from Godzilla vs. Mothra. 3.5/5

[Dash 7]

I love this one. probably my favorite of the heisei movies outside of Godzilla 1984. It's too bad Ishiro Honda died right before he was slated to direct this one.

[HedorahLives]

I love this one. probably my favorite of the heisei movies outside of Godzilla 1984. It's too bad Ishiro Honda died right before he was slated to direct this one.

Man, Honda directing a 90s Godzilla film would have been great.

[gojira012]

I love this one. probably my favorite of the heisei movies outside of Godzilla 1984. It's too bad Ishiro Honda died right before he was slated to direct this one.

Man, Honda directing a 90s Godzilla film would have been great.

With Shinji Higuchi doing spfx.

[SuperMonsterZero]

Then again, I've never got behind the standardized monster names and film titles Toho has adapted in the past decade or so. I'll never called Angilas "Anguirus" for example, and I think "Desghidorah" is a hilariously awful name that means absolutely nothing. Then there's the ridiculous titles Toho enforces in this country, using titles that these movies have never been called in the US or even using titles that no English language film prints carry. "All Monsters Attack"? That film only went by one title for 40 years and film prints still use the title. What jackass decided to "officially" change it? The film print used for CM DVD is called "Monster Zero" and before that the movie has been known for 20+ years as "Godzilla vs Monster Zero". Now Toho expects everyone to call it "Invasion of Astro Monster"? That's not even grammatically correct. "Godzilla vs the Sea Monster" has always been known by that title in the US, even to this day. But no, Toho's official title is now "Ebirah, Horror of the Deep". What the hell?

I don't think I'd be this aggravated if people didn't just accept this stuff on the grounds that it's "official", even though a lot of it makes no sense whatsoever.

I completely agree with this post.

As for the actual movie I'd say it's definitely one of the best of the Heisei series. Although maybe I'm a bit biased, since this is one of the first Godzilla movies I actually saw (on a bootleg VHS in around '94 or '95). Plus, it has a kickass soundtrack.

[godzillafan]

great movie, no flaws in it and loved the final battle

[Heisei Mechagodzilla]

Great story and the MG is great this time, my fav outta the 3.

[Goji]

Mechagodzilla was already "great" before this film. Mechaduckzilla was a downgrade if anything.

[HeiseiGodzilla117]

Favorite Mechagodzilla film, least favorite mechagodzilla design.

[GodzillaDude]

Favorite Mechagodzilla film, least favorite mechagodzilla design.

I couldn't agree more.

[Living Corpse]

I liked the idea of Fire Rodan being able to give his energy/DNA to others, that's something that you don't see everyday in a Godzilla flick.