Talkback: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

For discussion of Toho produced and distributed films or shows released from 1980 up to 1998 (includes Gamera 3)
Post Reply
User avatar
Arrow
Gotengo Officer
Posts: 1618
Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2010 5:09 am

Talkback: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by Arrow »

Godzilla vs. Biollante

Image

Bio Wars rulez.

Discuss it! The 1989 sequel to The Return of Godzilla, and second entry in the Godzilla Heisei series. Bringing a new monster, changing from a rose to the ultra huge final form to battle Godzilla at Wakasa Bay.

User avatar
Guardian7
Monarch Researcher
Posts: 252
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 7:29 am

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by Guardian7 »

Oh Man totally get the Japanese version if you can. It rules... Same for any Kaiju film... the Japanese versions are so much more superior to the Americanized ones.

I'll get back to this subject when I can. As this is my favorite side by side with G84

G7

HayesAJones
Keizer
Posts: 9200
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:19 pm

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by HayesAJones »

This is a great film. Good story, great effects, fun music, and two badass monsters. The best of the Heisei series and one of the best of the series as a whole.

HayesAJones
Keizer
Posts: 9200
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:19 pm

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by HayesAJones »

Legion1979 wrote:
HayesAJones wrote:and one of the best of the series as a whole.
I don't think I'd go that far. The funniest thing about this movie is that there was a time not too longer ago then this movie and G84 were at the lower end of the Heisei gene pool and movies like King Ghidora and Mechagodzilla were the unquestioned winners of that era. I wonder what happened.
Really? Huh... well, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla are entertaining, but flawed. This film is just a lot more solid.

User avatar
Goji
Xilien Halfling
Posts: 6476
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 10:37 pm

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by Goji »

Legion1979 wrote:
I don't think I'd go that far. The funniest thing about this movie is that there was a time not too longer ago then this movie and G84 were at the lower end of the Heisei gene pool and movies like King Ghidora and Mechagodzilla were the unquestioned winners of that era. I wonder what happened.
Huh? How is BIOLLANTE not one of the best of the series? :? I personally feel that GMK is the "best" Godzilla film we've gotten since BIOLLANTE, at least as a whole package. I just think the film excels in more areas than most. While in comparison, the 90's output at Toho was much more "ho hum", and the films come across as very formulaic..Toho "played it safe" with the 90's films (But who could blame them, after BIOLLANTE flopped).

The 90's films are fun, dumb movies that are enjoyable once in a blue moon..but BIOLLANTE, I feel, is something special. I guess the whole package doesn't do it for everyone (plot, characters, music), but it really did have the best SPX of the Heisei series, I don't think anybody can really deny that much. KING GHIDORAH and MECHAGODZILLA are enjoyable films, but BIOLLANTE I definitely feel to be the better of the three. That's just me though.
UltramanGoji wrote: Cranky because you got mad I implied GFW isn't a good movie aren't you
Chrispy_G wrote:I'll say it one last time, Trump wins in a landslide.
I'll gladly eat crow if it doesn't turn out that way....but at this point it feels painfully obvious, as it has for months.

JVM
Xilien Halfling
Posts: 5677
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:06 pm
Location: Milwaukee, WI

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by JVM »

I don't think I'd go that far. The funniest thing about this movie is that there was a time not too longer ago then this movie and G84 were at the lower end of the Heisei gene pool and movies like King Ghidora and Mechagodzilla were the unquestioned winners of that era. I wonder what happened.
People realized they sucked. It's that simple. GvKG has horrid continuity issues and GvMG2 has pacing issues.
I used to be a lot more optimistic and outgoing, believe it or not. I used to actually be passionate about this stuff.

User avatar
DaikaijuSokogeki!
JXSDF Technician
Posts: 1004
Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2010 10:16 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by DaikaijuSokogeki! »

It is a solid entry for sure, and by far the best Godzilla film Kazuki Omori worked on. This film really set the framework for how the rest of the Heisei series would play out. The constant attempts by the military to destroy Godzilla with the newest technology, the relationship between Miki and Godzilla, and the kaiju origins that have some sort of tie to Godzilla himself. I will admit it's been a long time since I saw this one, so my memory's hazy but I still remember enjoying it. It's a very intelligent entry in the franchise, mixing biotechnology into Godzilla's world believably. The SPFX are totally fantastic and Kawakita's second best work, first of course being Sayonara Jupiter. He experimented plenty with this film by mixing CGI, traditional suitmation, puppetry and well-done animatronics. As evidenced by the deleted scenes, he even tried using cel animation and stop-motion, which showed his real commitment to experimentation. The suit design is totally fantastic, providing one of the most memorable incarnations of Godzilla ever. Finally, the music provides some solid pieces even though it packs some weak ones (e.g. the rock Godzilla theme).

However, the characters are pretty flawed in my opinion. Dr. Shiragami and Miki are the only two memorable members of the cast, and the latter is only because she shows up in every entry between this one and Destoroyah. The acting here is pretty dull, which is evident even in the dubbing (I've only seen the dubbed version fyi). All of the actors just look bored during the whole film. There's an extreme lack of intensity in the performances. Finally, the Super X-2 didn't provide much in the way of story and was just a repeat of what we already saw in Godzilla (1984) with the Super X. In the end, it just served as filler whenever Biollante wasn't onscreen.

Still, despite those complaints, it goes without saying that Biollante is still an enjoyable Godzilla film and was one of the last to truly try something different.

HedorahLives
Monsterland Worker
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:00 am

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by HedorahLives »

DaikaijuSokogeki! wrote:It is a solid entry for sure, and by far the best Godzilla film Kazuki Omori worked on. This film really set the framework for how the rest of the Heisei series would play out. The constant attempts by the military to destroy Godzilla with the newest technology, the relationship between Miki and Godzilla, and the kaiju origins that have some sort of tie to Godzilla himself. I will admit it's been a long time since I saw this one, so my memory's hazy but I still remember enjoying it. It's a very intelligent entry in the franchise, mixing biotechnology into Godzilla's world believably. The SPFX are totally fantastic and Kawakita's second best work, first of course being Sayonara Jupiter. He experimented plenty with this film by mixing CGI, traditional suitmation, puppetry and well-done animatronics. As evidenced by the deleted scenes, he even tried using cel animation and stop-motion, which showed his real commitment to experimentation. The suit design is totally fantastic, providing one of the most memorable incarnations of Godzilla ever. Finally, the music provides some solid pieces even though it packs some weak ones (e.g. the rock Godzilla theme).

However, the characters are pretty flawed in my opinion. Dr. Shiragami and Miki are the only two memorable members of the cast, and the latter is only because she shows up in every entry between this one and Destoroyah. The acting here is pretty dull, which is evident even in the dubbing (I've only seen the dubbed version fyi). All of the actors just look bored during the whole film. There's an extreme lack of intensity in the performances. Finally, the Super X-2 didn't provide much in the way of story and was just a repeat of what we already saw in Godzilla (1984) with the Super X. In the end, it just served as filler whenever Biollante wasn't onscreen.

Still, despite those complaints, it goes without saying that Biollante is still an enjoyable Godzilla film and was one of the last to truly try something different.
Hmm...I might be biased since Biollante was my favorite Godzilla movie as a child (nowadays, it's either second or third), but the flaws you listed don't compute for me. Along with Shiragamu and teenage Miki (imo, a far more neutral and less melodramatic character), you also had Gondo and Kuroki as memorable characters. Gondo was simply cynical and bad ass, whereas Kuroki was a revelation as 1) the first prominent military character the franchise had since the 60s and 2) the first one that wasn't absolutely sure of himself. The cat and mouse game between Godzilla and the military was, imo, one of the best aspects of the film. For the first time since the original, I cared whether the military could beat Godzilla. The oft-overlooked genetic tampering/disease warfare angle was genius, imo. As for the acting, it seemed on par for these types of films (I didn't get a boredom vibe at all) and Kirashima was a likeable enough hero (someone had to be the moral one, right?). I also like the pains that Omori took to show how everyone was connected to each other PRIOR to the monster attacks. The movie was plot driven, but every character had a role and something to do.

Second, the Super X2 was GREAT. The fire mirror was a long time coming---finally, humanity learns how to use Godzilla's powers against him. A huge improvement over the original Super X and it made for some great fight scenes. Didn't strike me as filler at all. Honestly, when Godzilla was clashing with the military, I forgot about Biollante for huge stretches of time. That's a credit to the film, not a knock to the monster.

Omori is no Honda (and who besides Honda ever was?), but this movie is how the series should've looked in 1989. Dark, gritty, almost Burton-esque. Pacing was tight and the cool scenes are too numerous to mention. Pretty easily my favorite kaiju movie of the last twenty five years and probably my favorite of the franchise since the original Mothra vs Godzilla.

User avatar
Arrow
Gotengo Officer
Posts: 1618
Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2010 5:09 am

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by Arrow »

I agree with DaikaijuSokogeki! in that I too find the human scenes to be pretty dull and that the acting goes all over the place. I also think that the story suffers from jamming too much into such a short running time. Godzilla vs. Biollante could've used GFW's time, to be honest.

But I also think that Toho should've continued in this direction with the Heisei series, instead of going the way they did in 1991 with Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (but that's for another thread).

User avatar
g2kmaster
JXSDF Technician
Posts: 947
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:44 pm
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Contact:

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by g2kmaster »

Aside from the problem it has concerning the introducing of too many characters for it's own good, this is a good film. The SFX are good looking for the time they were produced in, and the plot is one of the more original endeavors in the series.

Xx_The_Masquerade_xX
Futurian
Posts: 3837
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:13 pm

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by Xx_The_Masquerade_xX »

This is my second favorite Godzilla movie of all time.

I actually like all the characters in this movie, The Godzilla suit looked fantastic in this movie..Godzilla rising from a Volcano was a great scene along with when the children showed what they were dreaming of an they all showed pictures of Godzilla.

The battle was Super-X 2 was great, The First battle with Biollante was good, but nothing beats the Final battle.. The Visuals were Fantastic... Maybe it was the camera angles or whatever but Biollantes final form was brilliant an im not sure if that was a suit or what but if there was a guy in that suit, it was the best Suit Toho has ever made for a monster.

It's a real shame that after this movie, this era of films really started to decline in quality.. maybe Toho should let more fan's help right future Godzilla movies, if i recall the person that came up with this was a Dentist.

Over-all I just think this is a great movie, Oh let's not forget it had a great score an the darker atmosphere works really well for Godzilla films then the kid friendly movies i think.

User avatar
godzilla1996
Monsterland Worker
Posts: 186
Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 2:03 pm

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by godzilla1996 »

A good entry to the series. We get one of the best G suits of the series, great music, like-able characters, a good and threatening foe to Godzilla, and a very entertaining plot. However, it drags on a little bit, but that's the only bad part. Oh yeah, and one more thing, Godzilla coming out the volcano, best entrance ever.
Formerly known as godzilla2001.
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Yeah moderators!
@ omgitsgodzilla, the double rainbow means that Godzilla is on some really good shit

User avatar
Ethan
G-Grasper
Posts: 1496
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:41 pm

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by Ethan »

For years it used to be my favorite Heisei flick, but now I see it as overrated and at times messy. It's still better than any Godzilla film from 1991 to 1999. And obviously the Rebirth of Mothra series...

Also, why was the score edited from longer suites and oposed to the cue-by-cue method the other films have?
"If only all garden variety fans had just one neck!"

User avatar
Terrier
JXSDF Technician
Posts: 1137
Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:36 am

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by Terrier »

Besides of it's possible faults, like it has already been said, this movie was very experimental and creative... maybe the flop at the box office was because it came five years after the previous one... but I think this is the way the movies should have been done, instead of one per year...

User avatar
Mini-Godzilla
JXSDF Technician
Posts: 993
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 12:55 pm

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by Mini-Godzilla »

My archived review (from when I was requesting threads such as these):

The Big G survived...somehow, and now he's fighting the plant from The Little Shop of Horrors. Still riding on the more realistic feel of its predecessor, it can be taken seriously enough, and the effects are also quite good. The subplots are often entertaining in a cheesy 80's action movie sort of way, but the introduction of the psychics is, for me, the first major misstep of the second Godzilla series. Even so, it's a fun ride, and that's what really counts.
Godzilla says I should learn to fight my own battles!

User avatar
Showa Gyaos
Keizer
Posts: 8747
Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2010 5:06 pm
Location: West Virginia

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by Showa Gyaos »

I don't understand why it was a box office flop. This is my third-favorite Godzilla movie, because it is very unique in style and execution. Also, I love how it involved fans who participated in the contest for the movie's plot. Sadly, it'll probably never be done again. :(
ScrumpBump wrote:
BARAGONBREH wrote:What a crap "theory". It's a great time to be alive though, I guess. Buy yourself a MacBook, spout some BS and post it on YouTube and you can make a buncha money.
Kong is Ness and Skull Island is apart of Undertale.

Gib money.

User avatar
GodzillaXGomoraFight
Gotengo Officer
Posts: 1711
Joined: Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:18 pm
Location: Brooklyn, New York

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by GodzillaXGomoraFight »

Is it just me or why is it that this movie is the hardest movie to find of the Hesei films. It is not available in a Region 1 DVD, not online anymore, and it is the only Godzilla movie I have never watched.
Image

HedorahLives
Monsterland Worker
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:00 am

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by HedorahLives »

My understanding is that Godzilla vs Biollante wasn't a flop, just not the runaway hit Toho wanted.

It's hard to find because it's only U.S. release was directly to cable and VHS in the early 90s. Sony doesn't distribute it. Your best bet to try tracking down a VHS copy.

User avatar
Arbok
Kingdom Mikado
Kingdom Mikado
Posts: 2131
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:44 pm
Contact:

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by Arbok »

My favorite film... period. It has its problems, plot holes and other things. However, there is something about the movie that just clicks with me and I find it such a joy to watch. Its popcorn entertainment, no where near as complex or deep as my other favorites like Seven Samurai, but somehow it doesn't matter. In terms of special effects, I still feel this is probably one of the best from a special effects stand point while I love the action.
Legion1979 wrote:I don't think I'd go that far. The funniest thing about this movie is that there was a time not too longer ago then this movie and G84 were at the lower end of the Heisei gene pool and movies like King Ghidora and Mechagodzilla were the unquestioned winners of that era. I wonder what happened.
How long is "not too long ago"? I do recall when King Ghidorah was considered near the top, but I would say it was longer ago than that. To be more precise, before 1998 I would say King Ghidorah, Mechagodzilla II and Destoroyah were all very well heralded films. Then they were released in the States, and a new group of fans were exposed to these long "exclusive" films. Eventually, the newness wore off, and the previous "exclusive lime light" faded as well. I'm not saying they don't have their fans, and don't deserve their fans... but its easy to see why at some point in time they might have been heralded more than they were today.
If it bites... don't mess with it!

User avatar
Hellblaze
JXSDF Technician
Posts: 1057
Joined: Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:38 am
Location: Dekalb, IL USA
Contact:

Re: Talkback Thread #17: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Post by Hellblaze »

Good movie I like how they put Biollante in the movie and gotta love the Godzilla suit and his roar. :D But I have to agree the movie is hard to find for a good price and in good condition with the cover and it's only on VHS for Region 1 for other places on DVD so for us in America here unknown when we'll get it on DVD which is sad :cry:
Image

Image

Post Reply