Talkback Thread #12: Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)

[Crazy Jim Films]

I actually like this movie, but for one simple reason.
It's basically a 'best of' of the showa Godzillas at the time, same with Revenge.

I enjoyed this one much more than Revenge. Pretty much same reason. A lot of the familiar elements are there and a whole bunch of the classic Akira Ifukube scores. Not a great movie but a fun, nostalgic one.

[Goji]

Why did Godzilla only bring Anguirus help him?

'Cuz budget, obviously.

[edgaguirus]

And the suit was still in good condition.

[MechaGoji Bro7503]

I really like how in this film the aliens are bent on killing Godzilla rather than taking over the planet directly. Makes it seem like word got around the universe that Godzilla is big trouble.

[MechaGoji Bro7503]

Watched it again- loved it even more. The film's characters are funny and likable- Gengo reminds me of myself a bit. The legendary corn cob hippie is just as awesome as I remember. The Nebulans are more of sympathetic race. And im confused, did the Nebulans take over their planet and leave or was it always their planet? 'Cause the way they say it is a little weird. Hauro Nakajima did a fantastic final job as Godzilla. Overall a solid 7/10.

I find it funny that Anguirus swam all that way JUST to immediately return to Monster Island to give Godzilla information. Why not send Rodan? (I know because of budget but still he was in Vs Megalon just doing fine).

[Loganrules115]

I would like this movie a lot more but the stock footage drives me insane.
And the monsters talking.

[edgaguirus]

Talking monster are better than singing monsters.

On topic, From what I understand of the Nebulan story, the planet was their home, and they took control after the dominant race had polluted themselves out of existence. They lived in peace there until the planet became too unbearable even for them.

[MechaGoji Bro7503]

On topic, From what I understand of the Nebulan story, the planet was their home, and they took control after the dominant race had polluted themselves out of existence. They lived in peace there until the planet became too unbearable even for them.

Thanks for clearing that up.

[Lain Of The Wired]

Why did Godzilla only bring Anguirus help him?

Budget problems

[KaijuCanuck]

Watching this right now. What’s so frustrating is how good all of the new monster footage is, and how obvious and intrusive the stock footage is. Even to non-fans, all the lighting changes and suit designs and stuff must be pretty obvious.

Still, overall this is a good one. I forgot how much good Ifukube stuff is in it, as I tend to associate the later films with the jazzier soundtracks. It’s almost like a greatest hits of his showa stuff, there’s stuff from GTTM, MvG, DAM, probably more.

[Gojira-Fan]

Watching this right now. What’s so frustrating is how good all of the new monster footage is, and how obvious and intrusive the stock footage is. Even to non-fans, all the lighting changes and suit designs and stuff must be pretty obvious.

Still, overall this is a good one. I forgot how much good Ifukube stuff is in it, as I tend to associate the later films with the jazzier soundtracks. It’s almost like a greatest hits of his showa stuff, there’s stuff from GTTM, MvG, DAM, probably more.

There is certainly some good new effects footage, but it's usually not as good as the footage in the stock footage. I can accept the stock footage a lot of the time with Showa era movies, but it is jarring when they do "day for night" kind of shots from Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster.

I definitely agree that this is a good entry in the series. Some great characters. Plus, a really long entertaining tag teamed battle. It's a fun film, but you can have a little bit of symbolism with the cockroaches and their origin without ruining the campy vibe. Amazing film to smoke weed while watching if you live in a legal state.

[GojiDog]

One thing I will always appreciate about this film:

The first time I saw it as a kid, I remember being completely shocked when Gigan caused Godzilla to bleed.

It wasn't so shocking to see blood in a giant monster movie because I had seen some of the Gamera films already, and movies like Clash of the Titans, but up to that point, I didn't even know Godzilla could bleed. I thought his skin was too strong to penetrate.

Now here comes this giant cyborg chicken that sliced into Godzilla like he was made of paper. It was a shocking moment for my 6 year old mind to process and it firmly established Gigan as one of the big bads to me.

[Gojira18]

Probably one of the worst of the franchise imo. Combine the shameless stock footage, mostly boring characters, and some really dumb decisions, I just can't find myself to like this film. MAYBE when I see it again tomorrow in my G marathon things will change. MAYBE.

[UltramanGoji]

The characters are the best part about this movie. Everyone is charismatic, likeable, and memorable. The special effects scenes rely too much on stock footage and move at a really slow pace.

[Gojira-Fan]

Probably one of the worst of the franchise imo. Combine the shameless stock footage, mostly boring characters, and some really dumb decisions, I just can't find myself to like this film. MAYBE when I see it again tomorrow in my G marathon things will change. MAYBE.

I used to feel the same way but I've grown to enjoy the movie. As UltramanGoji said, the characters are really appealing in this movie. You have to like the Showa era style if you are going to enjoy this one however. It is true the movie is not perfect. I have just gotten used to stock footage in Godzilla movies so it doesn't really bother me.

[Gojira18]

Probably one of the worst of the franchise imo. Combine the shameless stock footage, mostly boring characters, and some really dumb decisions, I just can't find myself to like this film. MAYBE when I see it again tomorrow in my G marathon things will change. MAYBE.

I used to feel the same way but I've grown to enjoy the movie. As UltramanGoji said, the characters are really appealing in this movie. You have to like the Showa era style if you are going to enjoy this one however. It is true the movie is not perfect. I have just gotten used to stock footage in Godzilla movies so it doesn't really bother me.

That's probably my problem then. I'm not head over heels in love with the Showa era style.

[edgaguirus]

They didn't have much choice when it came to using stock footage. Budgets were pretty tight, and they had to use every trick they had. However, G vs G is a good film with likable characters, an excellent rampage scene, and good monster action.

[Gojira-Fan]

They didn't have much choice when it came to using stock footage. Budgets were pretty tight, and they had to use every trick they had. However, G vs G is a good film with likable characters, an excellent rampage scene, and good monster action.

Exactly. I feel it is a lot easier to forgive the 70's movies sins because the Japanese film industry was not doing well back then. Yet these movies still end up being pretty good and entertaining despite that.

[Godzillian]

They didn't have much choice when it came to using stock footage. Budgets were pretty tight, and they had to use every trick they had. However, G vs G is a good film with likable characters, an excellent rampage scene, and good monster action.

Exactly. I feel it is a lot easier to forgive the 70's movies sins because the Japanese film industry was not doing well back then. Yet these movies still end up being pretty good and entertaining despite that.

Except money problems dont excuse all the 70s films problems

[MechaGoji Bro7503]

This film does have some of the best characters in the franchise. Heck, the Showa Era usually does have the most memorable characters.