Movie Review: 1993\u2019s \u201cGodzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2\u201d:<\/p>\n
Story-telling of humans who take up fights against monsters (small, medium, or large) \u2013 has long been a conventional device present in some of our most interesting movies. What is viewed as fictional, often takes on reality significance even if merely metaphorical at its surface.<\/p>\n
This week, preceding a movie about a children\u2019s book author heroine… encountering ghostly spirits during her stay at a rural American (and haunted) dwelling, I watched a film in whole\u2026 belonging to slightly similar genre. One, I would rarely opt to sit through to its final scenes \u2013 monster science-fiction.<\/p>\n
1993\u2019s \u201cGodzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2\u201d is set in \u201c1992\u201d. Recalling that the Japanese have made at least one effective and suspenseful horror plot (that I\u2019ve seen) for mainstream US movie theater exhibition (in my own memory), I was curious about this<\/em> Japanese film\u2019s message: its story rooted in the 1974 \u201ccult classic\u201d of a similar name.<\/p>\n \u201cGodzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2\u201d is not a suspense film, nor is it a \u201chorror\u201d by today\u2019s US familiarity and measure\u2026 but, it is nevertheless a true horror when accepting it as a presentation of one\u2019s reality.<\/p>\n The incarnations of a giant dinosaur derivative, captured the fascination of movie viewers already since the beginning. One that fascinated me as a child was \u201cThe Never Ending Story\u201d \u2013 a film story which sets purity and other virtues vs. evil.<\/p>\n In general, monsters of past stories have spurned latter day stories told to new generations of people, featuring beasts on film, up to our present day. Rarely, today in my country, are the \u201cugly\u201d monsters portrayed as the hero; but, many highly popular stories of past have narrated to the contrary. One such example might be children\u2019s classic \u201cBeauty and the Beast\u201d. Super-hero movies that are based on comic books are also influenced by such mythologies and legends \u2013 stories originating from various regions and cultures of our world.<\/p>\n One of the older of such films (first filmed in black and white) feature the giant ape \u201cKing Kong\u201d, as he is juxtaposed by the captive (and lovely) human woman. It is a classic, which like many monster films\u2019 stories, utilizes the conventional female victim; or, more subtly – a strong though seemingly weaker captive (by comparison) who in the distress lends to the storyteller\u2019s sympathetic strategy.<\/p>\n Unlike other monsters – creations of the dead brought back to \u201cliving\u201d status though retaining some human shape and qualities (e.g. \u201czombie\u201d or \u201cFrankenstein\u201d), the \u201cGodzilla\u201d was more an inception likened to \u201cKing Kong\u201d \u2013 animal and beast. Likened to the natural (though extinct) dinosaur, this \u201cGodzilla\u201d story most resembles \u201cJurassic Park\u201d [another movie which (just as this 1993 one) premises on \u201cnature\u201d unchecked and threatening humanity]. \u201cGodzilla\u201d – with power drawn from nuclear radiation (though fictional), is like all the creatures who wields powers that are traced back to the ancient mythologies or presumed realities of minor god-status creatures. These are beings of great strengths and unique powers.<\/p>\n In this write up, I\u2019d like to give a plot point synopsis, followed by pointing out what I thought were the strong aspects of this movie.<\/p>\n Set in Japan, and made by Japanese, the film ends by posing a few poignant moral questions: about whether or not beast can survive in a human world. I won\u2019t tell you whether \u201cGodzilla\u201d lives or dies.<\/p>\n 3 names attached to the film project are: \u201cMasahiro Takashima\u201d, \u201cRyoko Sano\u201d, \u201cMegumi Odaka\u201d.<\/p>\n So what is the story line of this movie? Here\u2019s the prologue: After failing to defeat the menace of their seas \u2013 \u201cGodzilla\u201d \u2013 who emerges from the sea from time to time to unload havoc on the Japanese islanders, \u201cMechking Gadora\u201d a.k.a. \u201cMechagodzilla\u201d\u2013 an advanced machine from their future – is brought back in time to finally attempt to face off against the \u201cGodzilla\u201d, destroying him.<\/p>\n Disregarding the time bending ability, the machine is \u201cbrought back\u201d; and is engineered by \u201cG-Force\u201d laboratories. Controlled by top scientists and military, the nuclear powered robot machine is the people\u2019s hope of quickly restoring peace for humanity. The machine (sort of a \u201cTransformers\u201d concept), is to be commandeered by pilots trained in martial arts and flight simulation.<\/p>\n At a geological site, the scientists hike and journey through a mountainous region to set up camp after having collaborated with Russian scientists it is said. There, they find the egg. The egg is identified as a \u201cTerranadon\u201d egg. This egg belongs to a giant reptilian \u201cbird\u201d type, closely allied with \u201cGodzilla\u201d.<\/p>\n Amazed by their finding, they secure the egg – transporting it back to their lab headquarters. The camp had been suddenly ambushed by the protective mother bird; and by \u201cGodzilla\u201d from the sea nearby. Barely securing the egg in time and escaping with their lives by helicopter, the camp is left behind in ruin.<\/p>\n Upon latter study of the egg, the scientists observe more pulses of luminescence (from it), which they attribute to the island\u2019s nuclear waste and radioactivity. The lab (a.k.a. \u201cNational Institute of Biotechnics\u201d) conducts time lapse photography of the egg. And, this reveals that the fetal organism recognizes the human female lab technician\u2019s presence or absence \u2013 confusing her with its own mother. Adding humanity to the story, the storytellers endeavor to create a sentimental aspect to the otherwise animal only dimension of the beast \u2013 namely that everything created has its own mother of sorts.<\/p>\n After the creature hatches from the egg, the leading scientist is determined that the creature is merely a comparatively \u201charmless\u201d \u201cplant-eating Godzilla-saur\u201d. I, am reminded of the movie \u201cGremlins\u201d however.<\/p>\n Meanwhile \u201cGodzilla\u201d is on his way toward the city of Kyoto. \u201cAlert level 3\u201d is announced by the authorities who are charged with safety over the people. \u201cOperation exodus\u201d, as they call it, is commandeered by the military remotely.<\/p>\n The military utilizes \u201cplasma grenade\u201d, \u201cparalizer missles\u201d, \u201cpower discharge anchors\u201d that emit electric charge. It\u2019s all to no avail. \u201cGodzilla is still strong. And, he sends the electricity back to the overheated \u201cMecha-G.\u201d, severely damaging and disabling the high tech machine.<\/p>\n The humans take evasive action. They then substitute the retreating \u201cMecha-G.\u201d machine, with tanks and fighter jets- in an effort to protect the city. Back at the lab, the scientists believe that \u201cGodzilla\u201d is responding somewhat telepathically – communicating with the hatch-ling of the giant reptilian bird egg \u2013 receiving distress signals. They also discover that \u201cGodzilla\u201d has a weakness. Namely, it is a second brain in its torso; one that they have not attacked, but plan to next time.<\/p>\n Subsequently, while repairing the \u201cMecha-G\u201d, they realize that they must use the hatch-ling to lure \u201cGodzilla\u201d away from the city. They aim to exploit the emotional attachment, by leading him toward an uninhabited island region. To do this, they mobilize to transport the hatch-ling per shipping container, by helicopter. The female lab assistant is disturbed by the plot because of a newly developed attachment and maternal fascination with the baby beast. Though odd, it is a vital aspect of the narrative.<\/p>\n It turns out, that the giant bird, (\u201cGodzilla\u2019s\u201d prot\u00e9g\u00e9 of sorts) is the \u201cbaby\u2019s\u201d \u201chalf biological brother\u201d according to the scientist. The epic battle nears completion as the giant \u201cMecha-G\u201d is ready for battle once more.<\/p>\n An unappreciated human hero of \u201cG-Force\u201d, also fond of winning over the female lab assistant, finds opportunity to play a pivotal combative role in the battle. His aim of helping humanity and winning the affection of the female lab assistant is his motivation for restoring order. Expecting to finally win this battle, what happens? Do they accomplish it this time?<\/p>\n After seemingly doing just that, the giant bird gives its last dying energy to \u201cGodzilla\u201d (after barely enduring fatal blows of her own). A deeply wounded \u201cGodzilla\u201d thereby reconstitutes its second brain, by way of the martyred huge bird.<\/p>\n As this film ends, there are two narrative options. Which do you think it is? You\u2019ll have to check out this film and watch it for yourself, to find out the answer. I hope you enjoyed this review of \u201cGodzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2\u201d (1993).<\/p>\n The strengths of the film by the way, I think, are: (1.) the well timed and humorous vernaculars. If you do watch this, recognize the genre, and have fun along with that ride if you can. It will also help you to appreciate modern day computer graphics, which have come a very long way since 1993.<\/p>\n As for the story, well, judge for yourself and read this post before venturing “in”!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Movie Review: 1993\u2019s \u201cGodzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2\u201d: Story-telling of humans who take up fights against monsters (small, medium, or large) \u2013 has long been a conventional device present in some of our most interesting movies. What is viewed as fictional, …<\/span> Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2592","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.film-shorts.tv\/wpress.cfonseca160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2592","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.film-shorts.tv\/wpress.cfonseca160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.film-shorts.tv\/wpress.cfonseca160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.film-shorts.tv\/wpress.cfonseca160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.film-shorts.tv\/wpress.cfonseca160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2592"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.film-shorts.tv\/wpress.cfonseca160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2592\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2595,"href":"https:\/\/www.film-shorts.tv\/wpress.cfonseca160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2592\/revisions\/2595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.film-shorts.tv\/wpress.cfonseca160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2592"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.film-shorts.tv\/wpress.cfonseca160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2592"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.film-shorts.tv\/wpress.cfonseca160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2592"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nLater, however, they begin to associate the color with distress signals sent out by the fetal organism which is longing for its mother.<\/p>\n
\nThe fighting force thus mobilizes \u201cMecha-Godzilla\u201d \u2013 the latest generation fighting machine described.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cGodzilla\u201d defies this with his nuclear blasts; causes further panic and mayhem in the city.<\/p>\n
\nDuring transport, the giant reptilian bird intercepts the shipping container mid air \u2013 housing baby and the lab worker \u2013 bringing it to the ground with it in grip of its talons. It does this, upon its similar telepathic sensing that \u201cbaby\u201d is in there.<\/p>\n
\nAugmenting with present-day tech forces that he assisted in developing – combined with the repaired \u201cMechking-Mecha-G\u201d \u2013 they now have a fighting chance (it seems). The plan is to attack the second brain this time.<\/p>\n
\n1. \u201cGodzilla\u201d unites with \u201cbaby\u201d and returns to the sea, with Kyoto burning in the background.
\n2. \u201cGodzilla\u201d is finally defeated, and \u201cbaby\u201d transforms to a gigantic peace bearing blazing bird- much to the amazement and delight of the tired onlookers.<\/p>\n
\nWith the English language, some appropriately placed profanity is used. I found it humorous.
\n(2.) I give a lot of credit to the production team for their visual effects which include: pyrotechnic, electricity, and nuclear charge depictions. Good use was made of visual perspective, comparative size, and city destruction scenes. (This was not as \u201ceasy\u201d to do, back in 1993, as it is today with sophisticated computer graphics systems).<\/p>\n