Extras |
· |
Menus (English) |
· |
Chapters (12/12) |
· |
Commentary on the US version with Steve Ryfle
(English) |
· |
The Art of Suit Acting (14 Minutes) |
· |
Poster Slide Show (1 Minute) |
 |
|
Captures |
|
Review |
 |
Anthony Romero |
 |
| |
Unavailable to Godzilla fans for years and
years in the United States, Classic Media finally
releases Godzilla's second outing to DVD. The
fact that this disc contains both the Japanese
and US cuts give it an edge over previous releases,
and allow younger fans of the character to catch
up on both in one fell swoop. Unfortunately, the
video quality on this release is marred by numerous
problems with both versions, some on account of
trying to cram the two cuts on the same disc.
The audio fares much better thankfully, as do
the extras, but the overall package leaves some
to be desired from the first title in the self
dubbed "Toho Master Collection" line. |
Video: |
 |
To be honest, I was hoping that the blemishes
found on the video presentation of Classic Media's
Gojira
- Godzilla would be some rare early problems
as the company worked toward turning over a new
leaf as a firm one could expect for solid releases.
Unfortunately, with this title, that doesn't seem
to be the case. To be totally honest too, the
video quality here is actually even worse than
the company's second release of the 1954 classic,
as the DVD displays a wide range of problems in
its video presentation. Chief among these is simply
the print damage present, including scratches and some
annoying light flickering. Noise levels are also a problem, with a ton of grain present during a number of scenes. The English version
is also plagued by some of these, although features
far more scratches than the Japanese version does.
Suffice to say, I'm not sure where Classic Media
is getting some of these prints from, but if they
are coming from Toho perhaps they should just
opt to use the video feeds on the previously done
region 2 DVDs from the company?
Anyway, the problems don't stop there, as the
Japanese version also features an unstable frame
on a few occasions along with a brightness level
that's too high and washes out some details. There
is also a huge dilemma in the transfer process
that occurs a little past the hour mark due to
interlacing, causing details to look incredibly
jarring in motion as seen here.
Thankfully it only lasts a few minutes, although
it's none too pleasant to experience all the same.
To follow up on this, some have told me that the
problem has been fixed for later issues of this
disc, however, comparing my copy from 2006 with
the one I recieved in February of 2007 generates
the same results: 2006
vs. 2007.
Reportedly, I just had some bad luck in the second
copy, though, as apparently this has been fixed
on the majority of releases.
In regards to the US version, it fares even worse,
as it was obviously heavily compressed in order
to fit on the same DVD with the original Japanese
version. This means one can expect a much softer
look, as details are more blurred, while shimmering
and other overt signs of compression are apparent.
According to the audio commentary on this release,
it seems that the DVD was originally going to
be double sided, with each version on a different
side. That plan seems to have fallen through,
but at least the company had the foresight to
heavily compress the US version as opposed to
the original Japanese cut. As an interesting side
note, if anyone is wondering how the title screen
for the film is handled, it removes the "Gigantis
the Fire Monster" part in favor of a new
title card that displays "Godzilla Raids
Again", as seen here.
On the bright side, at least Godzilla Raids
Again is presented in its original aspect
ratio of 1.33:1 in both versions, without any
cropping as occurred for Gojira
- Godzilla.
|
Audio: |
 |
Godzilla Raids Again features two
different mono audio tracks, one in Japanese and
the other in English, both of which are attached
their respective versions of the film. The quality
of both isn't bad, although not perfect. The Japanese
audio tends to fare much better, while the English
dub isn't as clear as it could have been, but
both are more than serviceable without much to
raise complaint about.
The Japanese version can be accompanied with,
removable, English subtitles.
|
Extras: |
 |
After a lot of extras were withheld from the
company's Gojira
- Godzilla release, they finally make
their way to the public via these later titles
from Classic Media. As it turns out, it was a
pretty good thing many of these features were
delayed, as titles like this would have seemed
very barebones without them (unless one wants
to count the US version as an extra), considering
even a trailer for the production is lacking.
In terms of the added video content here, it's
a short 14 minute documentary on suitmation for
numerous Toho science fiction films done in the
Showa era. The short provides a great deal of
background on the actors behind the costumes,
and is overall a very recommended feature. Next
up is a short "Poster Slide Show", which
isn't bad although the quick editing and close
up pans get to be a little annoying. A feature
that would have let the viewer browse through
them at their own pace, instead of seeing them
quickly shown over a minute's time, would have
been much more preferable in this case.
Finally, the last extra on this disc is an audio
commentary for the US version of the film done
by Steve Ryfle "and friends." The billing
for the commentary might seem a little odd, but
after hearing the track it's quite clear that
nearly 70% of this is Ryfle talking, as he will
ever so often "pass the mike" to another
commentator like Ed Godziszewski who will throw
in some more background information. Sadly, this
commentary isn't nearly as good as the ones found
on Gojira
- Godzilla. Not to discredit it completely,
of course, as it's still very informative. The
problem is simply that Ryfle's attempts to riff
the movie, sometimes in a style reminiscent to
Mystery Science Theater 3000, tend to
fall flat in their bid for humor. Still, due to
the wealth of information present, this is still
suggested listening for anyone with more than
a passing interest in the title character. |
Overview: |
 |
Bottom
line, I'm sure many fans of the franchise
are thrilled to finally see this movie, which
has been out of print in the US for more than
decade, but this certainly isn't the best
release all the same. Thankfully, their Mothra
vs. Godzilla disc fares much better than
this release.
This disc is also featured in the DVD box
set: The
Godzilla Collection. |
| |