Talkback: Rodan (1956)

[Pkmatrix]

Count me as another fan of this movie! Rodan is easily one of my favorite Toho sci-fi films.

As for the wires vs. no wires argument...honestly I see the merits of both, and wouldn't mind if a future Blu-Ray had showing or hiding the wires an option in the menu. Seems like a simple enough thing, the former to please purists and the latter who want something closer to what the filmmakers intended.

[KillCrites]

Watched this for the first time in its entirety today and it's fantastic. I love the way that the scale of the movie gradually gets bigger in each act, it starts as a murder mystery in the first act, becomes a giant bug movie in the movie second act, and a kaiju movie by the third act. The characters and plot are simple but that's not a bad thing and I feel like it works in the movie's favor. The special effects sequences and miniatures are just amazing. This is my favorite Rodan design also, he's never looked better.

[Monster Zero]

The ending is so good. It's amazing to see a kaiju couple care for each other so much that when one dies the other would rather die with it than live on. It's probably the only scene I prefer from the American version, because the narration is incredible. Much like the Godzilla 1985 speech at the end by Raymond Burr.

[Mr_Goji_and_Watch]

The missile sequence in the Japanese version of the ending is way too drawn out.

I don't see a lot of people talk about the cinematography in it, but man this movie is really well shot.


Kino....

[eabaker]

I don't see a lot of people talk about the cinematography in it, but man this movie is really well shot.

Agreed. It has a very warm, saturated look, that almost looks more like Technicolor to me than it does Eastmancolor.

[Terasawa]

I don’t trust Toho’s color grading. I imagine the original color pallette was more natural looking than the current HD master. Still a great looking film and probably Honda’s best use of color in a giant monster film. I’ve always loved the green hills and red soil in Tsuburaya’s miniature landscapes.

[eabaker]

But the warmth and saturation was somewhat noticeable even on US SP VHS versions.

[edgaguirus]

I was watching this movie last night, and it is one of the best kaiju films made by Toho.

[szmigiel]

This is about the only Volcano/Magma takes care of the DaiKaiju problem ending I really like. Mainly because the bombardment help create the Volcanic activity even if wasn't on purpose, and the second Rodan could have escaped but choose to stay with it's mate. Over all it is a great building mystery kaiju plot that is paced very well and doesn't leave me bored waiting for the big pay off moments.

[HillyHulk]

This was one of the better Showa era movies (that wasn't Godzilla related). I liked the atmosphere of a threat yet to come and the appearance of this Rodan was my favorite of them all.

[GodzillaBurgh]

What I really enjoy about Rodan is that he's one of the more realistic kaiju that required no heat rays or psychic powers, it's just his speed and massive wingspan that prove to be both intimidating and impressive at the same time.

[KillCrites]

What I really enjoy about Rodan is that he's one of the more realistic kaiju that required no heat rays or psychic powers, it's just his speed and massive wingspan that prove to be both intimidating and impressive at the same time.

Me too, I've always been drawn to kaiju without any special powers.

[cloverfan98]

I really love how much the film plays out as a traditional horror film both in themes and the execution of the film itself.

[kamilleblu]

I don't see a lot of people talk about the cinematography in it, but man this movie is really well shot.

Kino....

The miniature work is stunning as well. Counting only his work on monster films, Rodan (1956) and Mothra (1961) might be Tsubaraya's best efforts in the miniature effects department.

[Godzilla Vinyl Mania]

What I really enjoy about Rodan is that he's one of the more realistic kaiju that required no heat rays or psychic powers, it's just his speed and massive wingspan that prove to be both intimidating and impressive at the same time.

There is one twist to that. One two occasions in Rodan '56...there are closeups of Rodan breathing out what is reminiscent of the flame effect from Godzilla '54. They do not show destruction as a result. Anyone else notice this?

[Maritonic]

There is one twist to that. One two occasions in Rodan '56...there are closeups of Rodan breathing out what is reminiscent of the flame effect from Godzilla '54. They do not show destruction as a result. Anyone else notice this?

Indeed I did notice that. Never understood what the intention was, other than perhaps some sort of supersonic breath similar to what Anguirus had in the Pipeworks video games?

[Godzilla Vinyl Mania]

There is one twist to that. One two occasions in Rodan '56...there are closeups of Rodan breathing out what is reminiscent of the flame effect from Godzilla '54. They do not show destruction as a result. Anyone else notice this?

Indeed I did notice that. Never understood what the intention was, other than perhaps some sort of supersonic breath similar to what Anguirus had in the Pipeworks video games?

Oh yeah...Anguirus breath. I remember that.

[edgaguirus]

I always viewed the scene as a directed hard breath at some target. I don't think it was meant to be a weapon per se, but does make a good visual.

[Ivo-goji]

I figure it was wind. That's Rodan's element after all.

[PitchBlackProgress]

It was probably just a burp, nothing more, nothing less.