Toho Space Trilogy - The Mysterians, BIOS, Gorath

[terrypierson]

Recently I've collected and watched the space opera trilogy by Toho - The Mysterians, Battle In Outer Space, and Gorath.

If you're unfamiliar with them they aren't a trilogy in a typical linear sense (like Star Wars). They simply share a sci-fi theme. (I know there are some connections throughout the movies but each film definitely stands alone as a self contained story).

Personally I thought Battle In Outer Space was the best by far. The other two are good but I was really blown away with Battle In Outer Space. The effects, props, and sets are just amazing.

I think the others both would have benefited from their kaiju - Mogera and Maguma respectively- having more screen time.

The Mysterians has a very vintage sci-fi feel (it's the kind of 50's sci fi movie that embodies the stereotype) which I loved. But I was disappointed with just how much time is given to looping the same effect clips. I also thought it needed a little kick at the end - the alien base was cool and all but maybe Mogera should have made a reappearance for real.

Gorath is as much a disaster film as a sci-fi one. Some of its plot points are exceptionally silly and Maguma is only in the film for 5 minutes. But I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was my first branching out in Toho away from just kaiju films. I love all three and feel I have some serious catching up to do on rewatching.

[MaxRebo320]

''The War In Space'' is also part of the same series, and if you've never seen it....you are not missing much.

[Goji]

I'm not sure how Maguma having more screen time would have elevated GORATH at all.

He was only added at the insistence of producer Tanaka, and was nothing more than a nuisance to the scientific team in the arctic. The film could work just fine without him, in fact.

[terrypierson]

I enjoy these movies as spectacle films. Maguma, while pretty silly, is the icing of spectacle (as all kaiju are IMO). No one would ever mistake Gorath for a good movie, so I think it could have benefited from a bit more imaginative levity, which Maguma provided. Tanaka was a wise man.

I know Maguma was cut out of the American release. I don't think this would break the film or anything at all. I just think a bit more of him might have helped.

[Goji]

No one would ever mistake Gorath for a good movie

Sorry, this is where you lost me. For fans of this genre, and of Toho SPX films in generally, GORATH is very well received.

so I think it could have benefited from a bit more imaginative levity

Why? Do you not like your sci-fi to be serious at all? How do you feel about the original GODZILLA?

I know Maguma was cut out of the American release. I don't think this would break the film or anything at all. I just think a bit more of him might have helped.

How? The narrative works just fine without him there..how would "more of him helped"? This is what I'm most perplexed by.

[terrypierson]

You're right, it wasn't fair to imply it's not a good movie. Misfire in terminology. I think it's a great genre movie.

To me, even by sci fi standards, it's just absurd on the surface. Moving the earth out of orbit to avoid collision is just a lot more wild than alien invaders or even monsters (maybe that's just a personal perspective). But then I think that it seems to take itself more seriously than even the other Toho sci fi offerings. The recipe of surface absurdity with a (at least relatively more) serious presentation just didn't entirely gel for me.

To answer your second question, Gojira is my favorite Godzilla movie. And for further example I love (the original) Day the Earth Stood Still. That's the thing - even to its vintage sci-fi peers Gorath is not serious science fiction - but it acts as a serious movie.

I guess to boil it down I feel like Gorath could stand to loosen up, given what it is. Give me absurdity and have it be fun (Ghidorah: Three Headed Monster) or give me something serious and have it be appropriately so (Gojira). I'm sure there is a way to blend the two but Gorath didn't quite nail it to me.

(I feel the need to repeat that I am just super critically probing here for discussion's sake. As I've said, I loved the movie and know I'll be watching it over and over again. I've already done a back to back viewing!)

[Destroyer]

I saw the American cut of Gorath not too long ago. It was alright, but I gotta admit that I was looking forward to seeing the walrus monster.

[Goji]

You're right, it wasn't fair to imply it's not a good movie. Misfire in terminology. I think it's a great genre movie.

No biggie, it happens. Glad to hear that you enjoy it as well.

To me, even by sci fi standards, it's just absurd on the surface. Moving the earth out of orbit to avoid collision is just a lot more wild than alien invaders or even monsters (maybe that's just a personal perspective). But then I think that it seems to take itself more seriously than even the other Toho sci fi offerings. The recipe of surface absurdity with a (at least relatively more) serious presentation just didn't entirely gel for me.

The plot is pretty absurd, I agree, but everything is treated pretty seriously (which Honda was really good at doing, IMO) but I understand if it doesn't "click" with everyone.

To answer your second question, Gojira is my favorite Godzilla movie.

*high five*

That's the thing - even to its vintage sci-fi peers Gorath is not serious science fiction - but it acts as a serious movie.

I guess to boil it down I feel like Gorath could stand to loosen up, given what it is. Give me absurdity and have it be fun (Ghidorah: Three Headed Monster) or give me something serious and have it be appropriately so (Gojira). I'm sure there is a way to blend the two but Gorath didn't quite nail it to me.

I totally understand where you're coming from now. Thanks for taking the time to explain! I agree, GHIDORAH gelled all of it's ridiculous elements together really well. It's probably the best of Honda's output that did that, actually.

(I feel the need to repeat that I am just super critically probing here for discussion's sake. As I've said, I loved the movie and know I'll be watching it over and over again. I've already done a back to back viewing!)

Believe me man, this forum is starved for more conversations like this.