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).