Talkback: Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002)

[JAGzilla]

I voted 'okay', but that's only because the monster action was generally good and the score was fantastic. Otherwise, it would've gotten a 'poor'.

Pros:

- I liked Kiryu and his weapons. The AZC was something different, not just another laser. The whole DNA computer idea was a cool one, and it was interesting that he was a 'living' mech. It's not something we've otherwise seen in a Toho movie.

- The final battle, while not perfect, had a lot of good moments.

- The score, as stated, was one of the best. Right up there with Ifukube's work, IMO.

- A few assorted cool scenes here and there. The whole opening sequence was done well.

- I liked that they tied Mothra and WotG into it.

Cons:

- The human characters were all very boring. I never gave a damn about any of 'em.

- I don't know if it was just the dub's fault or what, but there was some really bad dialogue. The kaiju history lesson was probably the worst offender. It was supposed to be a conversation, but just came across as a sledgehammer info dump. The "Godspeed!" scene deserves a mention, too.

- Godzilla himself could've been better. I don't like his head or spines much, for one thing. And it was weird that he retreated without a fight when first confronting Kiryu. Backing off after he'd been injured or something I could see, but just... walking away? That didn't seem right. On the positive side, his atomic ray was pretty cool. I also liked that scene where he kicked Kiryu and flattened him.

So I guess it scrapes a 3/5, overall.

[eabaker]

I voted "poor." I was tempted to go with "awful," but, honestly, I find the movie too boring to merit such a strong word.

[RedZillaKing]

I prefer the 2002/3 Mechagodzilla design to the original AND the 90's incarnation. Wanna fight about it?

As for the movie, I freakin' love it. AND S.O.S.

[Beef Bigshot]

Hey I liked the 90's version of mechaG! Still it's not my tag by far. I think every mechaG design so far is amazin. I really wished he was a bad guy again......maybe one and we can get an updated theme for terror o mechagodzilla!

[GodzillaFreak99]

ME LOVE THE SKREEONK OUT OF THIS FILM BECAUSE:

ME LOVE KIRYU! ME LOVE PLOT! ME LOVE MONSTER FIGHTS! AND ME IN LOVE WITH YUMIKO SHAKU! uhhh... I mean... *sigh* screw it, I think Yumiko Shaku is hot hot hot!

[Kaiser]

While the movie is a mixed-bag, I've come to enjoy it as a sort of millennium-era take on a showa-era atmosphere. It entertains me, its flaws don't detract enough from the viewing experience to really bother, and I consider this the best Mechagodzilla design. It's a good, but not great kaiju film.

[cloverfan98]

Whats with all the MG2 hate? I mean com on he's the only G foe to have ever KILLED Godzilla. Not defeated, KILLED. Still I agree with most everyone here and will say that Kiryu or MG3 is probably my favorite version of MG. I love this version's design and I love his origin. That being said I really dislike this film. Its a bland soulless rehash of Godzilla Vs Megaguirus with the EXACT same character in the lead. I hate when Godzilla becomes little more than a Guest star in his own film and this is one of the worst offenders to me. For instance the scene when Kiryu is first launched against Godzilla, he shoots Godzilla point blank in the face with missile after missile, Godzilla just stands there looking like an empty suit, roars, and then when Kiryu freezes, turns back into the ocean. REALLY? After being shot in the face Godzilla wouldn't walk over and rip the attacker's head off? Its a horrible characterization of Godzilla and the reason it happens is just so we can have Kiryu go on the rampage, which is a great concept but very poorly executed. My 2 cents.

[Beef Bigshot]

I'm curious as to why Godzilla retreated. It's been stated before that he advances rather than retreats. The only theorie I can come up with is that kiryu, once awoken, emits an aura that makes Godzilla go away. Maybe cuz he is the 54 version which might have been the dominant male of something. Others Godzilla's would stay away from him cuz that's his territory? IDK just a theorie

[PopInPicsPresents]

I'm curious as to why Godzilla retreated. It's been stated before that he advances rather than retreats. The only theorie I can come up with is that kiryu, once awoken, emits an aura that makes Godzilla go away. Maybe cuz he is the 54 version which might have been the dominant male of something. Others Godzilla's would stay away from him cuz that's his territory? IDK just a theorie

I assume he was just startled by Kiryu's powerful Maser Cannon. He's was used to just brushing off attacks like they were nothing so I'm sure he didn't know how to deal with something that could actually hurt him, that said he retreats. Once he knows what he's dealing with he comes back for a rematch.

[Beef Bigshot]

While thats a great Theorie, I still don't agree. Honestly the real reason is just bad characterization on the movies part but on a logical side, well it makes no sense. Ya Godzilla will figure out what he was dealing with, but he tends to do that in battle. Think in Godzilla 2000. Godzilla doesn't retreat when the spaceship shoots him, he gets incapacitated by the dern thing. Not to mention that he automatically fired off his beam. Basically it just doesn't make sense. If the maser did hurt Godzilla, he would just get pissed an charge. I'm goin to stick with the aura Theorie.

Oh and indony recall Godzilla ever being hurt by the maser. He was moreso startled by it whereas the missile just blue up on him and he was like,"hhhmmm ok missiles.....that's pathetiOOOHHH GOD, LASERS N' SHIT!"

He he but still, did he actually even move other than a slight head wiggle?

[PopInPicsPresents]

Oh and indony recall Godzilla ever being hurt by the maser. He was moreso startled by it whereas the missile just blue up on him and he was like,"hhhmmm ok missiles.....that's pathetiOOOHHH GOD, LASERS N' SHIT!"

He he but still, did he actually even move other than a slight head wiggle?

Every time Kiryu's Maser hits, Godzilla is visibly hurt. Especially the second time in Against Mechagodzilla. If Kiryu had spammed the maser more it probably could have killed Godzilla.

[Beef Bigshot]

He looked more ajetated and annoyed than hurt but then again, how do we really know cuz we ain't Godzilla lol

[knockinrockin]

ME LOVE THE SKREEONK OUT OF THIS FILM BECAUSE:

ME LOVE KIRYU! ME LOVE PLOT! ME LOVE MONSTER FIGHTS! AND ME IN LOVE WITH YUMIKO SHAKU! uhhh... I mean... *sigh* screw it, I think Yumiko Shaku is hot hot hot!

Someone's horny up there^. You're even worse than that scientist in the movie whom tried to ask out Akane.

As for the movie, the only things I actually liked was the battle scenes, the design of Kiryu and his weaponry, the reference to other movies, and the music.

[KasZilla]

Worst G film imo. Boring, lame sad little girl, the same music replayed over and over again, there is basically no monster battling..

[KasZilla]

the same music replayed over and over again

Then you must HATE the majority of the films Ifukube scored, huh?

Lame, sad little girl?

Yes. The music is so repetitive and they even recycled it for S.O.S. The girl's only friend is a plant, seriously?

Edit: I dont hate Ifukube's work, His music is part of what makes Godzilla great, but this movie literally had that one same song playing over and over with no variation whatsoever. At least G2k had variation.

[Smuggers]

God forbid Kiryu and Godzilla have their own themes. And I'm pretty sure there's a part with the girl walking back from school with her friends.

[KasZilla]

Those chirren werent her friends. Seriously tho, MG's theme didnt have to be the ONLY music in the movie.

[PopInPicsPresents]

The beginnings of some of the tracks sound similar yes but it's not the same theme played over and over throughout the movie..

[Rody]

To be fair, I do think the girl's role in the film was either insignificant, or underdeveloped (or both).
I'll give the soundtrack another vote of support. Michiru Oshima wrote some great pieces for this film and its followup.

[Godzillian]

Was pretty good but was I the only one that was bothered that they kept calling mechag kiryu?