Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1974)Directed by:Jun Fukuda
Written by:Jun Fukuda
Masami Fukushima (story)
Shinichi Sekizawa (story)
Hiroyasu Yamamura
Starring:Masaaki Daimon ... Keisuke Shimizu
Kazuya Aoyama ... Masahiko Shimizu
Reiko Tajima ... Saeko Kanagusuku
Akihiko Hirata ... Professor Hideto Miyajima
Hiromi Matsushita ... Ikuko Miyajima
Hiroshi Koizumi ... Professor Wagura
This was the 14th of the Toho studio's Godzilla series and introduces MechaGodzilla and King Caesar.
The Plot: (Again, borrowed from Wiki)
In Okinawa a small ancient statue is unearthed, and a prophecy revealed: When a black mountain appears in the sky and the sun rises in the West, a monster will arise to destroy the world. The statue of the mythical monster King Caesar, protector of Okinawa, is vital to its revival should the prophecy come true.
Before long, the signs appear: a giant black cloud in the shape of a mountain is seen, and a mirage creates the illusion of a Western sunrise. Godzilla emerges from Mount Fuji on a destructive, unprovoked rampage. Former ally Anguirus confronts Godzilla, only to be cruelly and violently defeated when Godzilla breaks Anguirus' jaw.
Another Godzilla appears and battles the rampant Godzilla and reveals it to be an impostor. It is Mecha-Godzilla, a titanic robot created by ape-like aliens of the Third Planet from the Black Hole to destroy the genuine Godzilla and conquer Earth. Mecha-Godzilla unleashes its full arsenal on Godzilla and the wounded monster collapses into the sea. Too damaged from the encounter to effectively continue the attack, Mecha-Godzilla retreats for repairs.
Its repairs completed, Mecha-Godzilla is unleashed to destroy King Caesar who has been released from his slumber by the Azumi Princess. Godzilla, after returning to Monster Island, and being repeatedly struck and energized by mysterious bolts of lightning, comes to the rescue. After a bloody battle between the three titans, Godzilla generates a magnetic field against Mecha-Godzilla, dragging the metallic monstrosity within reach. Godzilla twists Mecha-Godzilla's head off and the robot's body explodes. The aliens' base is destroyed, and both King Caesar and Godzilla return from whence they came.
Thoughts:I think this film is one most often thought of by just about anyone when it comes to giant monster battles. We have no less than 4 monsters appear in the movie! Godzilla at this point in the franchise is definitely the hero, only appearing after some other monster shows up to wreck havoc. He does his share of damage to be sure, but it is all in the name of protecting Japan. He has gone from the scourge of the nation to its protector.
I actually like this film despite the absence of Ishiro Honda's direction and that may be in part because of the monster battles. For men in rubber suits some of the action is pretty spectacular and considering the franchise at this point was being cursed with ever dwindling production budgets, the special effects are on top form. It's important to note that the "Mecha-monster" idea is born here and gets revisited in several films after this including 2 MechaGodzilla remakes!
