Postby Ethan » Sun Jul 25, 2010 1:34 pm
This has to be one of the most ignored and excluded films in the franchise. Truth to be told, the Japanese version is fairly decent. Though partially, the criticism comes as a result of being sandwitched between such classics as Gojira and Rodan. And while the rushed production becomes visible in a script that has depicts some rather undeveloped characters and places the climax in the middle of the picture, there is enough to overweight that.
Tsuburaya's effects are excellent. Godzilla's battle with Angilas in the fiery Osaka is nothing short of impressive, something almost on par with the monster's rampage in the previous film. My only real complaint is the head prop for the close-ups, which looks nothing like that of the suit.
There is a consistently eerie tone throughout the film, which is build by Sato's excellent score and the ominous silence that generates a very documentary-like atmosphere. Much like the first film, it resembles newsreels from the War.
Also, for the first time, Godzilla is depicted as a true victim of the circumstances; a theme that would expanded greatly in the 4 films that followed. Here the creature only resorts to violence when attacked by Angilas and the military, and finally shows his true anger when he bites off his enemy's neck. Later it becomes obvious he only wants to be left alone as he retreats to a solitary island, where human again attack him.
The Volcano Monsters might have been much better than Gigantis, with the talents of Ib Melchior behind it. It could have easily been on par with Godzilla, King of the Monsters, though the Americanization we got was at least amusing.
"If only all garden variety fans had just one neck!"