Synopsis
An organization claiming to be working for children’s aid builds a Godzilla theme park,complete with bigger-than-life replica of the big guy, here serving as headquarters. In fact, thesenice people are alien invaders, as a cartoonist and his friends discover. When their plans arethreatened, the aliens summon King Ghidorah and Gigan (he of the beak and vaguely disturbingbuzz saw stomach) to their aid. But Godzilla and good friend Anguirus charge in to fight the eviland save …he day.
This is another effort featuring Godzilla as super-hero. There’s a lot of stock footage fromother movies in the mayhem, but some of the battles are surprisingly bloody. What thisparticular film is perhaps best remembered for (with a shudder) is the scenes where the monstersconverse. The Japanese language track simply has cheap sound effects suggestingcommunication between Godzilla and Anguirus, but the English track has actual dialogue.Embarrassing, yes, but of a high kitsch value.
Audio
The mono is 2.0 and is crisp and clean, and undistorted. The explosions and other bigsounds, including the music, sound a bit thin, but at least there is no static. The main plushere, as on the other recent releases, is the fact that we don’t have to listen to the horrible Englishdubbing if we don’t want to.
Video
Yet another 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation, at long, long last. Kudos, Columbia,and keep it up. The print is in fine shape, especially when compared to the awful VHS versionsthat have been floating around for ages. The colours are strong and bright, and the image isgenerally very sharp. Some of the exterior scenes have noticeable grain, but there is no speckling,and neither are there edge enhancement halos.
Special Features
As with the other new releases, nothing except some trailers (including a teaser for the for theforthcoming Tokyo SOS and a quick ad for the new Godzilla video game). The menu isbasic.
Closing Thoughts
Same deal as the other releases: basic disc, but fine picture.
Special Features List
- Trailers
