The third double edition Blu-ray set from Sony. This release has the final film in the Heisei series and also the second film in the Millennium series. These sets seem to have skipped over Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999), hopefully because they felt that film was befitting a more supped up single disc release since it got a theatrical run in the United States. Regardless, this Blu-ray set is the least appealing in terms of quality of the ones Sony has released. The video tracks on both leave some aspects to be desired, while the audio quality is solid but unfortunately is topped off with meager extras as the number of trailers found here is pretty low compared to the earlier titles.
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Another so-so transfer job from Sony for this package, being a further step down from the others. For Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, the image is fairly sharp with okay details present. Close ups of the Destoroyah look particularly good. Unfortunately, the colors are muted, never really vibrant for most of the duration with the exception of toward the climax battle for whatever reason. Not sure if a different treatment process was handled here, but it's certainly a step above earlier segments in the film including the very dull looking main title. On the plus side, at least the film isn't presented as overly dark as the movies found on the Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II/Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla Blu-ray.
Sadly, the frame is a bit unstable at the start. This is very noticeable when the Toho copyright comes up and still present during the start of the Hong Kong sequence. It goes away about two minutes into the film although the early English credits are still a little shaky. Thankfully, the print used for the transfer appears to be new. It features the opening credits lined up with where they were located in the Japanese version, and also for the first time in the US presents the end credits uncut. This means the stock footage of The Return of Godzilla (1984), Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) and other films can be seen for what should be a proper send off for the Heisei series.
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah is presented in its
original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Regretfully, the image has been cropped quite a bit on this release. Compare this scene of the DAG-MB96 maser tanks from this Blu-ray versus the same scene on the Madman region 4 release. The image has been cropped on all sides, but the top and left of the frame got it the worst.
As for Godzilla vs. Megaguirus, sadly the video track is a step down. The film is not nearly as sharp compared to the other Sony Godzilla titles they have released on the format. There is also a slight brownish tint to the colors as well. They rarely pop either with any sense of vibrancy, which is particularly sad for Megaguirus' deeply shaded red eyes which should be stunning on this transfer. Although to be fair, the colors are a lot better than what's found on Godzilla vs. Destoroyah in this same set. The print used for the transfer is also in fairly good shape. It appears to be a different one from the Tristar Godzilla vs. Megaguirus DVD, with the Godzilla font on the opening title being changed. It also avoids the print damage such as scratches that were found on the DVD release. This version has the end titles translated into English and features the after credit sequence as well
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus is presented in their
original aspect ratios of 2.35:1.
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This release marks the first time Godzilla vs. Destoroyah is being released in the US in its original Japanese format. Oddly, even though the older films found on the Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II/Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla Blu-ray were presented in 5.1 surround, this 1995 production is only available in two channel stereo. For what it is, the quality is good, featuring decent directionality for a stereo presentation and the quality being as good as one could ask for, without any noticeable audio discrepancies.
Although the video track was a step back, the audio on Godzilla vs. Megaguirus is definite improvement. The movie features two 5.1 surround audio tracks, one in Japanese and the other the international English dub. Both have solid directionality, presenting nice depth to the sound effects. The presentation from Megaguirus' sonic attack as she flies across the partially submerged city is excellent for example. Quality on the tracks are also impeccable, featuring no discrepancies and good clarity. Even the English track has good directionality, and isn't sold short versus its Japanese counterpart.
Each movie has three subtitle options: two English (one SDH for the hearing impaired which subtitles sound effects with a black background on text) and one French. The subtitles found on Godzilla vs. Destoroyah are great, properly matching the Japanese audio and translating the dialogue. Sadly, the subtitle job for Godzilla vs. Megaguirus is the infamous "dubtitle" treatment. This is the subtitle track as the one that appeared on the Tristar DVD, meaning you will have sequences where subtitles appear even though no one is talking in the Japanese track in order to match the expanded dialogue in the international dub.
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Across the two discs, the set has a few trailers of each film. Sadly, as an ongoing trend, the number of trailers for each production is starting to diminish. For Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, there are two teaser trailers and one main trailer. Sadly the really cool first teaser trailer, which really ramps up the mystery of Destoroyah while using footage from movies like The Last War (1961), was not included. Meanwhile, Godzilla vs. Megaguirus has just two trailers, one being a teaser and the other the main trailer. The teaser featured is the one that is set to music from Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965) and highlights King Ghidorah, Mothra and Godzilla. There was an earlier "Godzilla 2001" teaser and yet another teaser similar to this that also featured Mechagodzilla, but neither is found on this Blu-ray release.
Beyond this the disc also contains a Digital HD Ultraviolet copy of both films. As just a side note, the copy contains both movies although Godzilla vs. Destoroyah is photographed in the print out.
This is the only entry in this series from Sony to feature a different menu for each Blu-ray. Godzilla vs. Destoroyah has a red one featuring Godzilla from Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994). Godzilla vs. Megaguirus actually features the Godzilla suit from that film on its menu with a blue motif.
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Although the most lacking of the double edition Blu-ray releases from Sony, it's still a solid bang for the buck. The fact this the first time for the US market that Godzilla vs. Destoroyah is available in Japanese with the uncut credits is also a major step up for this set.
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