Talkback Thread #13: Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)

[Kaijugriffey]

Rokuro is the kid's name.

It really doesn't matter. They could call him whatever they wanted in the movie but all we heard is "BURNNN HIIIMM!"

Just once I want someone to make a completely politically incorrect Kaiju movie where the monster goes around eating kids. Out of Vengeance! So far the closest we have come is GMK and maybe the Heisei Gamera movies. Although I am not sure High Schoolers count.

[edgaguirus]

Rokuro is the kid's name.

It really doesn't matter. They could call him whatever they wanted in the movie but all we heard is "BURNNN HIIIMM!"

Just once I want someone to make a completely politically incorrect Kaiju movie where the monster goes around eating kids. Out of Vengeance! So far the closest we have come is GMK and maybe the Heisei Gamera movies. Although I am not sure High Schoolers count.

So you wanted to see GKG actually devour a kid?

[Mr. Xeno]

So you wanted to see GKG actually devour a kid?

If we can see monsters devouring adults on a regular basis (Gyaos and Zedus), then we can see an annoying kid bite the dust every once in a while.

[Ragnarok]

I was indifferent towards this the whole way through, constantly thinking it was possibly the worst of the Showa series. I don't know why on completion I feel slightly better about it, but I do. (Though not by much.) I put it with Destroy All Monsters and Godzilla vs. Hedorah as my least favorite.

Oh well, on to the Hesei series now, after a brief re-visit with Mechagodzilla.

[Mini-Godzilla]

I'm typing this comment mere moments after watching the film again. It may be the worst of the classic series (a claim that is up for debate, obviously), but it's not without its charms. The bad: the stock footage is intolerable, the cast is far too sparse to create a real sense of scale or danger to the proceedings, and Jet Jaguar is just asking to be punched in that stupid grin of his. The good: Godzilla's most anthropomorphic visage isn't necessarily his worst look, the car chase down the steps is pretty cool, and Robert Dunham is a hoot in that toga. And hey, the movie even has some nude pinups for the kids in the audience!

[Lain Of The Wired]

I don't care what anyone says, I like this one
Jet Jaguar was cool
Megalon was a tard
and Godzilla was a hardass
What's not to love *don't answer that* lol

Sure it has a lot of problems, but I still find it really fun.

[Giga Kaiju]

That double-kick is still a classic.

[Monster Zero]

I don't care what anyone says, I like this one
Jet Jaguar was cool
Megalon was a tard
and Godzilla was a hardass
What's not to love *don't answer that* lol

Sure it has a lot of problems, but I still find it really fun.

Totally agree with you. I love this movie.

[Stevo_1985]

In the dam scene. The truck drivers throw the guy out and take the container to the dam where Megalon inexplicably shows up. Amongst the madness ensuing he singles out the container and proceeds to do something with it. Does anyone know why he singled this little truck out? Was he planning on delivering this container or just smashing it.

[g2vd]

I made my Dad watch Godzilla Vs. Megalon a while back..That was the best time I have ever had watching a Godzilla movie ever.

[edgaguirus]

While it could be better, I think that would ruin the fun of the film. G vs Megalon plays out almost like an Ultraman episode, but JJ is an interesting robot. It has a colorful personality to match the silver, red, and blue paint job. Megalon is a good kaiju, and the odd and comic elements of the film keep it entertaining.

[Space Hunter M]

Tell him we need Gigan's help immediately.

[Lain Of The Wired]

Tell him we need Gigan's help immediately.

Wow, lol
That's funny

This movie coulda used some flying Godzilla

[Mr.Negativity]

Get Ready to Crumble!

Robert Short’s Godzilla suit was first used in Hollywood Boulevard (1976), then worn by John Belushi for Saturday Night Live and while hosting NBC’s premiere of Godzilla vs. Megalon in 1977.

via Astounding Beyond Belief

[AbudJasemAlBaldawi]

I honestly don't find this as bad as most people seem to.

[eabaker]

I honestly don't find this as bad as most people seem to.

It seems to have undergone something of a critical reevaluation among fans in recent years. I'd say that the extremely poor quality of the editions available in the US for most of the home video era did not help its reputation much.

[GalacticPetey]

I've kinda accepted it for what it is. A fun goofy 70s Godzilla flick. The problem is both Gigan and Mechagodzilla accomplish that task better and are (personally) more enjoyable.

[Mr. Xeno]

I honestly don't find this as bad as most people seem to.

It seems to have undergone something of a critical reevaluation among fans in recent years. I'd say that the extremely poor quality of the editions available in the US for most of the home video era did not help its reputation much.

The quality of editions in the US has nothing to do with anything. People have been more appreciative of this film because more and more people have been able to enjoy it for what it is and not be so critical about it. Hell, I'm one of those people. I enjoy the Hell out of Megalon, and that's a good thing, but it's sure as poop not because it's legitimately good in any way.

[godzillalives88]

I think a lot of the 70's movies have undergone a reappraisal. For example, it pleases me to now see Godzilla vs. Hedorah held in a pretty high regard. I remember when I was younger it was seen as an embarrassment solely because of the flying scene.

[Stevo_1985]

I will say.. Watching the media blasters release put this film in a different light for me.. It was so strange watching this in such high quality with the additional cut scenes as well. It didn't feel the same. Still, I've always enjoyed this one and was never critical of it as that was the charm of it I suppose.