Talkback: Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002)

[Megalon-5]

That's the more recent Mechagodzilla. I think this was a nice update of the character and it really calls to mind the original version, while also being it's own thing. It's also a shit ton better than "Mechaduckzilla".

As for the movie? It's alright. Not my favorite Godzilla flick, but I did enjoy it. I found the nods towards the other Toho scifi films nice. Overall, I think it's average at best. It doesn't really stick out in the mind, but it's far better than most of the Millennium flicks (aside from GMK imo).

[Rody]

Megalon-5 beat me to the punch, but I'll post these anyway.

The 2002/2003 suit is far superior to the Heisei suit.

[BigBaragon]

That's the more recent Mechagodzilla. I think this was a nice update of the character and it really calls to mind the original version, while also being it's own thing. It's also a shit ton better than "Mechaduckzilla".

As for the movie? It's alright. Not my favorite Godzilla flick, but I did enjoy it. I found the nods towards the other Toho scifi films nice. Overall, I think it's average at best. It doesn't really stick out in the mind, but it's far better than most of the Millennium flicks (aside from GMK imo).

Heyyyyy...now thats not BAD! MUCH improvement over the bloated 90s version. He is a great homage to the 70s suit. Needs a few more ROUGH edges for my tastes, but he looks tough as a bastard!
Also LOVED when Gigan 'updated' in FW - DUAL chainsaws!!

I will be watching this modern Mecha-G flick very shortly...just grabbed a half dozen dvds recently...

Rody, I think that he looks bad as a bat-out-of-hell, but SUPERIOR to the 70s suit? ...Not a chance, my friend! I suppose, though, that its a matter of age/view....I was VERY hooked on the ORIGINAL Mecha-G as a kid, so naturally he is the version in my heart and mind. When I saw him being 'revealed' for the first time, the outer skin chipping-away and the music piquing.....gave me CHILLS in that theatre!

[Megalon-5]

Kiryu superior to the original Mechagodzilla? Nah, I still think the 70's Mechagodzilla has to be the best incarnation of the character. He might be a robot, but his face just reflects pure evil. Combine that with his dark theme from Terror of Mechagodzilla and you get one of the best Godzilla villains of all time.

[Rody]

I said Heisei, not Showa. You mentioned the Heisei MG, BigBaragon, so I was responding to that.

I'm tied between Showa MG & Kiryu, personally. Showa has nostalgia points, of course, not to mention being the original. However, Kiryu actually looks like a mechanical version of Godzilla, more so than any other.

[Megalon-5]

One of the things I really like about Kiryu is the fact that he's got all these mechanical doodads on him. I really like his nifty knee-pad things. He's a nice contrast to the retro styled 70's Mechagodzilla.

[BigBaragon]

I said Heisei, not Showa. You mentioned the Heisei MG, BigBaragon, so I was responding to that.

I'm tied between Showa MG & Kiryu, personally. Showa has nostalgia points, of course, not to mention being the original. However, Kiryu actually looks like a mechanical version of Godzilla, more so than any other.

AH! - My bad! I get the 'eras' mixed-up at times, I only know them as 'old', 'new', and 'modern'. Thanks for clearing that up. Showa = my youth/Heisei = 90s.

Yes, this 'modern' Mecha-G is FAR cooler than the puffy 90s version, agreed. I also think that he does look more like an 'actual' mechano-Goji, but the 70s version will always be the cupcake, for me.

[JAGzilla]

I voted 'okay', but that's only because the monster action was generally good and the score was fantastic. Otherwise, it would've gotten a 'poor'.

Pros:

- I liked Kiryu and his weapons. The AZC was something different, not just another laser. The whole DNA computer idea was a cool one, and it was interesting that he was a 'living' mech. It's not something we've otherwise seen in a Toho movie.

- The final battle, while not perfect, had a lot of good moments.

- The score, as stated, was one of the best. Right up there with Ifukube's work, IMO.

- A few assorted cool scenes here and there. The whole opening sequence was done well.

- I liked that they tied Mothra and WotG into it.

Cons:

- The human characters were all very boring. I never gave a damn about any of 'em.

- I don't know if it was just the dub's fault or what, but there was some really bad dialogue. The kaiju history lesson was probably the worst offender. It was supposed to be a conversation, but just came across as a sledgehammer info dump. The "Godspeed!" scene deserves a mention, too.

- Godzilla himself could've been better. I don't like his head or spines much, for one thing. And it was weird that he retreated without a fight when first confronting Kiryu. Backing off after he'd been injured or something I could see, but just... walking away? That didn't seem right. On the positive side, his atomic ray was pretty cool. I also liked that scene where he kicked Kiryu and flattened him.

So I guess it scrapes a 3/5, overall.

[eabaker]

I voted "poor." I was tempted to go with "awful," but, honestly, I find the movie too boring to merit such a strong word.

[Varan Bon Ziller]

Yeah...Some interesting things...

But the dullness of it all really ruins it.

Great move toho.

Pump these little stinkers out each year.

And you wonder why you never got a big hit(barring Gmk).

[RedZillaKing]

I prefer the 2002/3 Mechagodzilla design to the original AND the 90's incarnation. Wanna fight about it?

As for the movie, I freakin' love it. AND S.O.S.

[Beef Bigshot]

Hey I liked the 90's version of mechaG! Still it's not my tag by far. I think every mechaG design so far is amazin. I really wished he was a bad guy again......maybe one and we can get an updated theme for terror o mechagodzilla!

[Varan Bon Ziller]

I prefer the 2002/3 Mechagodzilla design to the original AND the 90's incarnation. Wanna fight about it?

As for the movie, I freakin' love it. AND S.O.S.

No. But I would like to engage in a tickle fight.

[GodzillaFreak99]

ME LOVE THE SKREEONK OUT OF THIS FILM BECAUSE:

ME LOVE KIRYU! ME LOVE PLOT! ME LOVE MONSTER FIGHTS! AND ME IN LOVE WITH YUMIKO SHAKU! uhhh... I mean... *sigh* screw it, I think Yumiko Shaku is hot hot hot!

[Kaiser]

While the movie is a mixed-bag, I've come to enjoy it as a sort of millennium-era take on a showa-era atmosphere. It entertains me, its flaws don't detract enough from the viewing experience to really bother, and I consider this the best Mechagodzilla design. It's a good, but not great kaiju film.

[cloverfan98]

Whats with all the MG2 hate? I mean com on he's the only G foe to have ever KILLED Godzilla. Not defeated, KILLED. Still I agree with most everyone here and will say that Kiryu or MG3 is probably my favorite version of MG. I love this version's design and I love his origin. That being said I really dislike this film. Its a bland soulless rehash of Godzilla Vs Megaguirus with the EXACT same character in the lead. I hate when Godzilla becomes little more than a Guest star in his own film and this is one of the worst offenders to me. For instance the scene when Kiryu is first launched against Godzilla, he shoots Godzilla point blank in the face with missile after missile, Godzilla just stands there looking like an empty suit, roars, and then when Kiryu freezes, turns back into the ocean. REALLY? After being shot in the face Godzilla wouldn't walk over and rip the attacker's head off? Its a horrible characterization of Godzilla and the reason it happens is just so we can have Kiryu go on the rampage, which is a great concept but very poorly executed. My 2 cents.

[Beef Bigshot]

I'm curious as to why Godzilla retreated. It's been stated before that he advances rather than retreats. The only theorie I can come up with is that kiryu, once awoken, emits an aura that makes Godzilla go away. Maybe cuz he is the 54 version which might have been the dominant male of something. Others Godzilla's would stay away from him cuz that's his territory? IDK just a theorie

[PopInPicsPresents]

I'm curious as to why Godzilla retreated. It's been stated before that he advances rather than retreats. The only theorie I can come up with is that kiryu, once awoken, emits an aura that makes Godzilla go away. Maybe cuz he is the 54 version which might have been the dominant male of something. Others Godzilla's would stay away from him cuz that's his territory? IDK just a theorie

I assume he was just startled by Kiryu's powerful Maser Cannon. He's was used to just brushing off attacks like they were nothing so I'm sure he didn't know how to deal with something that could actually hurt him, that said he retreats. Once he knows what he's dealing with he comes back for a rematch.

[Beef Bigshot]

While thats a great Theorie, I still don't agree. Honestly the real reason is just bad characterization on the movies part but on a logical side, well it makes no sense. Ya Godzilla will figure out what he was dealing with, but he tends to do that in battle. Think in Godzilla 2000. Godzilla doesn't retreat when the spaceship shoots him, he gets incapacitated by the dern thing. Not to mention that he automatically fired off his beam. Basically it just doesn't make sense. If the maser did hurt Godzilla, he would just get pissed an charge. I'm goin to stick with the aura Theorie.

Oh and indony recall Godzilla ever being hurt by the maser. He was moreso startled by it whereas the missile just blue up on him and he was like,"hhhmmm ok missiles.....that's pathetiOOOHHH GOD, LASERS N' SHIT!"

He he but still, did he actually even move other than a slight head wiggle?

[PopInPicsPresents]

Oh and indony recall Godzilla ever being hurt by the maser. He was moreso startled by it whereas the missile just blue up on him and he was like,"hhhmmm ok missiles.....that's pathetiOOOHHH GOD, LASERS N' SHIT!"

He he but still, did he actually even move other than a slight head wiggle?

Every time Kiryu's Maser hits, Godzilla is visibly hurt. Especially the second time in Against Mechagodzilla. If Kiryu had spammed the maser more it probably could have killed Godzilla.