Talkback: Godzilla Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)

[RumbleJapan]

This film is the worst of the millennium series for me. There's virtually nothing original about it as it copies from both Mothra vs. Godzilla and GxMG. The effects are great, and Kiryu going rogue at the end was a little interesting, but the film's blatant unoriginality taints the whole thing for me. This time it really feels like Toho didn't give a damn here and was content to just stick to formula and rehash things for a quick buck. This film perfectly encapsulates everything wrong with the millennium series as a whole:

1. Few original monsters (none in this film)
2. Over-reliance on rehashing popular existing monsters
3. Bland and boring plot
4. Flat characters
5. Clings too tightly to formula
6. The few new ideas it does have largely go to waste

The result being a thoroughly mediocre film.

This. Nothing short of some big-name rosters in a stale movie. Story offered little substance imo. As a Godzilla fan, my biased feelings tell me to cling onto this movie. I do enjoy it, but it'd have little to offer to the average person. I'll only see my friends playing this movie when their lying on the couch with Netflix on. But to each his own.

[20th Century Boy]

I actually think Tezuka is a bit underrated around here as far as directors go. Unlike Okawara, he managed to inject some personality into his films and he knows how to play things tongue-and-cheek without going grossly over-the-top like Kitamura. I think GxM is a very good kaiju film and Tokyo SOS is a fine monster romp even if it is a rehash of other movies, it may not necessarily be good but I do find it entertaining.

I agree. His films feel a bit like live-action animes, which at least have more style than Okawara's movies.

[Beef Bigshot]

I find it amusing that all 3 of his films involved a giant super cannon of some sort (Dimension Tied, Absolute Zero Cannon, Triple Hyper Maser Cannon).

there is a dick joke in there somewhere, but im above that. BARELY above that

Anywho, I like this guy's movies. While not perfect, the kiryu saga has some of the best effects in the Godzilla series ever in my opinion and he gave a nice rendition on the characters.

[PopInPicsPresents]

I also liked how well choreographed the fights were in Tokyo S.O.S

I just wished the fights were shot better. It's my only gripe with the Kiryu Saga, the fights aren't shot too great.

[Mothralover1997]

What is it with this guy and the letter X? Godzilla X Megaguirus, Godzilla X MechaGodzilla, Godzilla X Mothra X MechaGodzilla; Tezuka might as well shoot porn.

[kamilleblu]

What is it with this guy and the letter X? Godzilla X Megaguirus, Godzilla X MechaGodzilla, Godzilla X Mothra X MechaGodzilla; Tezuka might as well shoot porn.

Showa Era: Early in this era, the titles were usually long and often times featured only the enemy monster's name (Ebirah, Horror of the Deep/Invasion of Astro Monster). Later, after Godzilla became an established icon, the titles simplified to Godzilla vs. [Insert Enemy Name Here].

Heisei Era: Mainly followed the tradition started in the latter Showa Era, Godzilla vs. [Insert Enemy Name Here].

Millennium Era: Titles are completely devoid of the term VS, as it was replaced by Against (X) or used original titles (Godzilla 2000/Godzilla Final Wars).

[Mothralover1997]

Could you imagine a Tezuka porno? XXX: Tits X Ass X Pussy X Mouth

[three]

wow. this was awesome. it's one of those interviews that makes the movies better than they were without them. the message about the preciousness of life really stood out to me, as did his desire to just make a fun movie. glad to know i'm a fan of both MG films from the Millennium series, and think that Megagirus is underrated.

[KingZillla]

S.O.S is probably my second favorite millennium film!

[Monster Zero]

S.O.S is probably my second favorite millennium film!

Agreed. I love this film so much. In fact this was the first Millennium Goji film I ever saw. I think this movie is just so awesome. The action, the effects, the kaiju designs! It's all good.

[seamus]

I actually think Tezuka is a bit underrated around here as far as directors go.

Agreed. It's apparent in Tokyo SOS if not in the previous two. The interview kind of makes me want to hug the guy.

[Jim Ballard]

What is it with this guy and the letter X? Godzilla X Megaguirus, Godzilla X MechaGodzilla, Godzilla X Mothra X MechaGodzilla; Tezuka might as well shoot porn.

It's not Tezuka. "X" is used a lot in Japan in the sense of "plus", "with" or "and", for example between the names of two famous talents presenting a TV show.

[Kaiju no Kami]

I know this movie gets crapped on for replacing the cast of the first movie, and rightly so, but I still love it. I think it is better than everything fro the Heisei era except Biollante. I love that the movie focuses on an engineer rather than a scientist or soldier. I also love the call backs to the original Mothra with Chujo. Not to mention the homages to Mothra vs Godzilla.

The Mothra in this movie is easily the best incarnation since the original in both design and execution. The music is fantastic and just like in the first Kiryu movie, the miniatures and effects down right rock. It is also great that Godzilla no longer just stands there when he is being shot at.

[Tyrant_Lizard_King]

The only film I have never seen. I've had it on DVD for years but still have not seen it. As strongly as I dislike Tezuka's previous efforts (my least favorite Godzilla films by far) I just don't have much hope for this.

[ebirahsmeg1]

The only film I have never seen. I've had it on DVD for years but still have not seen it. As strongly as I dislike Tezuka's previous efforts (my least favorite Godzilla films by far) I just don't have much hope for this.

Try to imagine a much inferior rahash of the original "MothravsG" film, but with MG added to the mix, and that basically sums up this film in a nutshell. To add insult to injury, Godzilla himself comes off very weak in his battle with Kiryu imo. About the only interesting aspect this film had going for it was the potential showdown between MechaGodzilla (oh, excuse me, I mean "Kiryu"....God what a lame moniker It's MechaGodzilla damn it!) and Mothra, but that potential encounter never takes place. Say what you want about the very mediocre GvsMothra 92 (and believe me, it's one of my least favorites), but at least it offered something new in the form of Battra. GSOS offers nothing new and defines the term "by the numbers". It's pretty sad when a dead carcass (Kamoebas) is the highlight of the film.

I don't know if there is a daikaiju film that I can say I outright "hate", but GSOS (along with its predecessor GxMG) comes pretty damn close. It was probably the only time I ever felt extremely angry after watching a particular G film....

[Kaiju no Kami]

I completely disagree with you on that. SOS might not offer anything new, but at least it was a movie that was put together well and Mothra looked organic instead of just being a piece of plastic. Oh, and the movie doesn't climax 25 minutes before it actually ends like the 92 movie did.

[kamilleblu]

While it's not the most original film in the franchise (basically GxM + Mothra vs. Godzilla),it's a well made piece of entertainment and I like it more than most of the Heisei films. As Kaiju no Kami said, Mothra has never looked better. It features one of my favorite casts of the Millennium Era, aside from Godzilla 2000 and GMK's characters. The music is great and the special effects are some of the best of its era.

[Kaiser]

Yeah, I really don't get all the hate for this film. I really don't. It's not great and it's just a rehash of previous movies to be sure, but it's executed competently and is fairly entertaining. The sheer vitriol it gets from some fans puzzles me because although I can understand why someone may not especially like it, I just don't understand how the movie is so terrible that it causes people to "feel angry" after watching it. Then again, some people on here legitimately like Godzilla vs. Megalon so I guess it doesn't really surprise me.

And for all the people bitching about "Kiryu" just keep in mind that the name translates to Machine Dragon, which is pretty badass sounding to me and is pretty similar to Mechagodzilla anyways. But of course, some fans just can't get over changing names.

[Goji12]

My favorite Godzilla movie ever, mainly because of my favorite monsters and my favorite designs. Kiryu is my favorite monster and favorite desing for Mechagodzilla. It also has my favorite Godzilla design.

[three]

one of my top ten of all time. a really fun movie that is appropriately titled for a change. Tokyo really is screwed in this film

definitely the best Mothra of all time, and i thought having her there to preserve the natural order gave the Kiryu saga some more umph.