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

[KaneLocke]

Ya know what the redeeming factor for this film is?

It's like one massive fight scene. The fights are some of the longest and most well-choreographed in the series.

[King Caesar]

^ And THAT is why it's not the worst...no GvM:BftE gets to hold that title.

[Svitska Donkun]

Despite how much I criticized BFTE in my other thread, I feel its script weaknesses are made up for with some really great monster action. The film offers a lot of interesting things to the franchise. It offers up a Nega-Mothra, and one of the best underwater battles in the entire franchise. I thought having Godzilla swim in the Earth's mantle up to Mt. Fuji was a really cool idea. The film has a great looking Godzilla suit, and Mothra is given many interesting new powers. (Is it just me though, or does Larva Battra seem more powerful than his adult form?) This being said, the film is still terrible. Tied with Spacegodzilla for worst in the Heisei series, just not the worst Godzilla film overall.

I've stated my opinions on Godzilla vs. Megalon being exactly what it intended to be.

Godzilla: Final Wars takes the cake for absolute worst, IMO. As I feel it is a complete bastardization of the Godzilla franchise, and a chance for some schmuck director to boost his ego by ripping off every popular sci-fi film ever, rather than make a film about Godzilla. People like to defend GFW as saying it was a homage to the Showa films, but it really wasn't. Sure the monster action followed the same ideas as the films made post 1970, but is that really what a 50th anniversary Godzilla film made in 2004 should have? I feel Godzilla 2000 got the Showa feel best actually. Its so archetypal in its plot structure and cinematographic style, when place in context of Showa Godzilla films. We even got one of those hyper close up shots of someone squinting at a bright light a monster is creating.

I was expecting something to honor Godzilla's dignity and take itself somewhat seriously. I didn't pay money to see the character arch of some Neo rip off named Ozaki. If I wanted that, I'd watch the Matrix, NOT a Godzilla movie. Like, everything with the humans made me so livid because their plot made Godzilla a complete after thought. I kept thinking the whole time what any of anything had to do with Godzilla. What does a metrosexual calling people cattle have to do with the core of the Godzilla franchise, at ALL? The whole film is almost an un-Godzilla film, and a complete insult to Godzilla on his 50th birthday.

[Killswitch]

No doubt Godzilla vs Megalon is a crap fest, but I would love to remake it! The film has all the right elements to be a kick-a$$ Sci-Fi monster flick.

[Space Hunter M]

No doubt Godzilla vs Megalon is a crap fest, but I would love to remake it! The film has all the right elements to be a kick-a$$ Sci-Fi monster flick.

All I'd do is just make new shots to replace the stock footage. Same with Gigan.

[therealmccoy]

All I'd do is just make new shots to replace the stock footage. Same with Gigan.

That's probably what I would do. There's probably some other fine-tuning that could be done, but that's just me. It's one of my favorite Godzilla movies, so naturally I wouldn't be able to give a clear answer on what I would change. In terms of the stock-footage, I actually think most (notice I say most) of it works prettey good with the rest of the movie. The thing that annoyed me with Gigan was the careless use of it. Night-to-day shots within a few minutes of each other, the "accidental" footage of Mothra, Rodan and Gaira, and there were at least four Godzillas in the movie. In Megalon, it wasn't so blatantly out of place, besides Megalon swatting the jets (with Gigan's claw).

[Irys X]

Only thing I would change is spend more of the human time with the human racing guy instead of the scientist and his kid. I thought he was a pretty good departure from the traditional human heroes, unlike the A-typical scientist and the Kenny clone. Oh and maybe get some new costumes for the Seatopian dancers. They're a little... ya know.

[MekaGojira3k]

Recently, well...a while back now I guess, I watched a decent subtitled print of this and I can't, for the life of me, understand why it's so universally hated. ITS SO MUCH FUN! So much crazy, crazy fun. The child is the only annoying part. The tail slide only bothers me because of how Godzilla's tail doesn't see to show any sign of carrying his weight, but it's still a swell film. No worse than other 70's entries. Well maybe MechaGodzilla 74'.

[Tohosaurus]

It's not one of my better liked Godzilla movies, but it's not one of the worst either. It's pure wacky fun! I'll be buying the BD and DVD versions of it when it comes this fall/winter.

[Giga Kaiju]

This movie is just comedy and a throwback of my childhood, sure its a little bad but not the worst of the bunch
first day buy for me (Dvd/Blu-Ray).

[Irys X]

Certainly not the best one but its a lot of fun, and it has some great kaiju in it. There's Godzilla, obviously; Gigan, one of my favorite monsters; Megalon, a funny monsters with an wild and awesome design; and finally Jet Jaguar, who is cheesy in the best possible way and really does look like Jack Nicholson.

[Giga Kaiju]

Here is JETTY!

[King Caesar]

Here is JETTY!

The resemblance is uncanny...Someone! Start woking on a Jet Jack right now!

[Irys X]

Here is JETTY!

The resemblance is uncanny...Someone! Start woking on a Jet Jack right now!

Lol great picture. And if there was some sort of Jet Jaguar figure with a Jack Nicholson head, id probably die laughing.

[Cimmerian Dragon]

[Space Hunter M]

^


I think that is all I have to say.

[Giga Kaiju]

This Has to be the Most Awesome thing i have ever seen,
Imagine Jack Nicholson looking like this in every movie he appears.

[therealmccoy]

^ The most awesome Godzilla still shot ever. Ever.

[Cimmerian Dragon]

Imagine Jack Nicholson looking like this in every movie he appears.

They thought he was unstoppable before...but none could prepare themselves for the fury, the power, the shiny metal ass, of...

JACK JAGUAR!

[King Caesar]

Jack Jaguar! Watch as his smile alone causes nations to crumble!

Cimmerian Dragon, you are full of win. Thank you.