Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) User Reviews

Best of 70's Zilla

[Aylmer · 7/10 · 4 May 2010]

Toho realized something after their abysmal GODZILLA VS. MEGALON and hence were smart enough to put a bit more effort into their subsequent two films. GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA suffered from a lot of the same 70's goofiness of the previous films and some serious pacing issues, but overall was certainly a step in the right direction.

Wisely, Toho decided to go old-school with the sequel and brought back Inoshiro Honda to direct and Akira Ifukube to compose one of his best musical scores yet for the series. The result certainly brings this film a level of class lacking in most of the Godzilla films following VS. MOTHRA though unfortunately there's a lot of silliness yet to be had.

Plotwise we get the same tired old formula of aliens plotting to conquer earth with a monster (or two this time - Titanosaurus makes for an interesting newcomer) aided by a mad scientist hot for revenge against "those fools". Fortunately, Godzilla is out to stop them but isn't in full-blown hero mode. Instead, Godzilla seems to be fighting them more out of the fact that he's just plain pi**ed off, and he's got an impressive new suit to show it.

Effects-wise you have to understand that Teruyoshi Nakano was working at 1/3 to 1/2 the budget of what his mentor Tsuburaya had to work with, so in that respect his work is quite impressive. This film features a triumphant return of the city-stomp with a show-stopping sequence involving Mechagodzilla and Titanosaurus laying waste to downtown Tokyo. Don't mind that they blow up the same row of buildings at least 4 times in a row - it's all great fun and showcases a lot of great pyrotechnics.

There's a lot of bizarre moments in the climactic monster-on-monster violence and a lot of iffy continuity. For instance, Godzilla knocks Titanosaurus out of the way and then tackles Mechagodzilla to the ground but in the very next shot, Godzilla is lying down alone and Titanosaurus is suddenly there kicking him in the head. (?) Most likely a case of bad editing more than anything.

Overall a worthy candidate for a way to spend a rainy afternoon. The 70's may have been a Godzilla nadir but this film is the highpoint of that lowpoint.

Mekagojira no gyakushu (1975)

[SnakesOnAnAfricanPlain · 7/10 · 13 December 2011]

Just as good as its predecessor, if not better. Last time we saw Godzilla teaming up to take down one monster. This time, he has to take down two, by himself. This is a great end to the original series, as it contains all the great elements. Awesome fights, which take us back to more inhabited areas. The country side had become a cheap alternative, but you can't beat city destruction. There is also a lot of heart, as we see a ridiculed scientist and his daughter struggle with their feelings. This film actually contains some human sacrifice. Making us and Godzilla equal again. Very impressed with something that could have been all a little much.

Much maligned Godzilla flick

[DrSatan · 6/10 · 7 January 2002]

As a longtime fan of Godzilla movies, I'm at a loss to explain why this film in particular is so hated. I loved this film as a child (perhaps I was already moving towards my love of tragedy), partly due to the coolness of the original Mechagodzilla, partly due to the fact I thought Titanosaurus was cool. There was also the part where I dug the little story of the mad scientist bent on his revenge for being laughed out of academia, and the whole love story angle between the scientist and the mad scientist's daughter. As you can see, there's a lot going on in this film, probably too much, but I enjoyed the attempt to have a more serious subplot going on in a Godzilla flick. The line from the horribly cut American version "But I can't love you, I'm a cyborg", is highlarious. Anyways, I finally tracked down a subtitled, uncut copy, and I was amazed to discover that the american distributors cut the scenes that explain a major character's sacrifice of her life-in the american version it just seems a senseless act. Anyways, don't expect much except a goofy star crossed lovers plot combined with a mad scientist plot and kaiju beating on one another and enjoy.

Fine end to the first series-the best 70s Godzilla film

[DrLenera · 25 April 2004]

It was obvious that the filmmakers were running out of inspiration by the time this entry was planned,and as well as tired plots and tiny budgets the films were doing less well at the box office. Of course,films like Godzilla V Gigan and Godzilla V Mechagodzilla were still fun if juvenile,but it was clear that the series was winding down and Godzilla needed a break,so a great deal of effort was put into this one,even to the point of getting Inoshiro Honda,the original and greatest Godzilla director,to return. Terror Of Mechagodzilla is uneven,but it's by far the best of the 70s Godzilla films.

The plot ONCE AGAIN rehashes the aliens-out-to-conquer-Earth-using-monsters plot,but at least here it is augmented by a few interesting elements,such as the tragic female cyborg who still retains human feelings,and it is handled a lot more seriously than before. Honda tones down the juvenile elements and even brings a touch of darkness to the film. The finale has most of the characters killed,and one person's sacrifice appropriately parallels Dr Serizawa's sacrifice in the original Godzilla {incidentally,the current version available in the US cuts so much of the violent and dark elements out that the ending makes little sense}.

Despite the general downbeat feel here is still plenty of monster action,with the best destruction sequence since Monster Zero,while Mechagodzilla is somewhat improved since the last film and Titanosaurus is a memorable new monster {why has he never returned?}. There is the odd shoddy moment,mainly due to the low budget,and signs of carelessness at times-for instance the final shot of Godzilla uses a different and pretty awful looking suit to the rest of the film. However overall this was the best Godzilla film since Destroy All Monsters,and a fairly worthy end to the 'Showa'series.

"Terror of Mechagodzilla" - A Review

[dee.reid · 7/10 · 24 July 2010]

1975's "Terror of Mechagodzilla" is a direct follow-up to 1974's "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla."

"Terror of Mechagodzilla" was directed by the late great Ishiro Honda and co-stars the late great "Godzilla" series actor Akihiko Hirata (this would be the last "Godzilla" film the actor would appear in before his death from throat cancer in 1984) as a mad scientist named Dr. Mafune, who, years earlier, had discovered a giant dinosaur called Titanosaurus.

Titanosaurus is the first monster to appear in this movie, attacking an experimental submarine that was looking for the remains of Mechagodzilla, the evil cyborg monster that had met its demise at the hands of Godzilla in the previous film. The evil ape-like aliens the Simians have recruited Dr. Mafune and his daughter to help them rebuild Mechagodzilla in their plot to take over the world. They team up, and they use their monsters, Mechagodzilla and Titanosaurus, both of which are now under the mental control of Dr. Mafune's now-cyborg daughter, to attack Japan. Godzilla soon appears on the scene to combat the two monsters and save the world.

"Terror of Mechagodzilla" is the last film of the Showa-Era series of "Godzilla" films and I can gladly say that this film was a great end to the series. One thing viewers will immediately notice is how dark this film is compared to its predecessor; apparently, Honda made a move to return the series to its dark, Atomic Age-inspired roots and it succeeds there. Still, however, a lot about this film crackles and is quite sensational and moves at a fast pace; there's even a poignant and tragic love story in there, too, and some James Bond-like spy intrigue (spy movies were quite popular at the time). One of the more outstanding qualities of the film is the ominous score by long-time "Godzilla" series composer Akira Ifukube. Ifukube's score is pretty dark and ominous, a total turn-around from Masaru Satoh's lush, beautiful, and exotic score from the previous "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla." A lot about "Terror of Mechagodzilla" simply makes it a fitting end to the Showa series of "Godzilla" films, despite its obvious flaws, because four main characters (Honda, Ifukube, producer Tomoyuki Tanaka, and Hirata) from the production of "Godzilla" (1954) are on-board to make sure that "Terror of Mechagodzilla" counts as a satisfying end to the Showa series.

Godzilla is and always will be the greatest movie monster that ever lived. I love Godzilla and his films. I've been watching them since I was a kid. Godzilla's transformation from rampaging menace in "Godzilla" (1954) to hero over the course of the films in the Showa series was inevitable, in my opinion, from the second that a sequel to the film was hastily commissioned by Toho in 1955 called "Godzilla Raids Again." And not to mention that the monster had become highly bankable as a children's icon over the years since his debut.

But his return to menace in "Godzilla 1985" (1984) was the first instance that Godzilla had not outlived his usefulness as cinema's greatest movie monster.

7/10

We all know why it's good.

[NerdBat · 6/10 · 1 July 2018]

Terror of MechaGodzilla was pretty much just a way to profit off of Godzilla Vs. MechaGodzilla for a second time. However, we all know why this film is so well known to fans, and that's because of Titanosaurus (which is also the name of a real dinosaur that has no relation). Titanosaurus is a highly loved Monster from the Godzilla series, and to be honest I feel like this film would have worked out just fine if it was just Godzilla vs. Titanosaurus. The monster is humongous and beautifully made, no one could live up to a semi aquatic Kaiju like him. I mean yes, the movie itself is watchable but, it does tend to focus a bit too much on the humans in my opinion, which is a problem a lot of monster movies have. I love Titanosaurus though, He's the centerpiece for this film.

End of an Era.

[OllieSuave-007 · 7/10 · 31 May 2003]

I used to rent this movie every Friday when I was a kid. I never really got tired of it, mainly because I thought that the movie was cool and that the cover-box was great. This movie, like most of the '70s Godzilla movies, features the overly-used "alien invasion" plot, which gives a Godzilla movie a predictable outcome. This movie is dark, tragic, and serious, and not as colorful and funny as some of the earlier Godzilla movies (a departure from most of the whimsical 70s Godzilla films). It definitely lacks humor and lightheartedness, but has some suspense and thrills to it. *spoilers ahead* In this movie, the Simeons (the ape-like aliens from "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla") returns, rebuilding Mechagodzilla for a new assault on Tokyo. This time, they are joined by a mad scientist, who wants to take revenge on the people who thinks he's a nut after he ranted about discovering a prehistoric dinosaur. The dinosaur, which actually exists, is called Titanosaurus, and he joins forces with Mechagodzilla to destroy Tokyo, but is thwarted by Godzilla. These Simeons should just leave Earth alone. In this movie, the aliens simply make a stop to Earth and tell us "we're here to take over your planet because ours is being sucked up in a Black Hole." It's not Earth's problem that the Simeons' planet is in a mess. Anyways, mixed in with this plot, is a romance sub-plot (rarely seen in Godzilla movies) between Interpol agent Ichinose and Cyborg Katsura (he doesn't know she is a robot until the end). So, Katsura basically needs to choose--love or world conquest. Not a bad plot, it just gets a little boring at times and the monster battles were sequestered toward the end, but they were spectacular.

Teruyoshi Nakano did another good job on the special effects, improving from his last films. We finally get to see breathtaking city destruction from Mechagodzilla, and a cool wind effect from Titanosaurus' tail. Akira Ifukube brought back his famous "Godzilla Theme" (last heard in the original "Godzilla" film) and actor Akihiko Hirata (he played Dr. Serizawa in the original "Godzilla") returns as the mad scientist in this movie. Godzilla first appearance in this film (appearing from behind a tall building) is a very well-done effect, depicting a very moving entrance of a hero.

This is the last Godzilla movie directed by Ishiro Honda, and the last time we see Godzilla as a hero--as the "defender of Earth." This movie also marked the end of the "Showa Series" of the Godzilla saga, which ran from 1954-1975. It also marked an end to all the other long-running batch of sci-fi movies, which were filmed during the same time period as the Showa Godzilla movies. After this movie ended, Godzilla went on to a nine-year hiatus. As Godzilla sailed off in the ocean at the end of this movie, Ifukube's score hints the sense of an end to an era. Overall, an adequate movie to end the "Showa" Godzilla series.

Grade B-

Just another entry in the long franchise of "Godzilla"...

[paul_haakonsen · 5/10 · 4 February 2020]

This 1975 movie titled "The Terror of Mechagodzilla" wasn't exactly an outstanding chapter in the long, long "Godzilla" franchise. But still, I was given the chance to watch it, and since I hadn't already seen it, of course I took the time to sit down and watch it.

I wasn't particularly entertained though with what transpired on the screen. There was a whole lot of focus on the human story aspect of the movie, which was just boring. I don't sit down to watch the human drama in the "Godzilla" movies, no. I want to watch kaiju action, battles and destruction. And there wasn't enough of that going on in this movie.

You essentially know what you are getting with this 1975 movie from directors Ishirô Honda and Jun Fukuda. But then again, all these movies in the franchise seem to follow that particular same blueprint, now don't they?

"The Terror of Mechagodzilla" failed to make itself outstanding in the overwhelming amount of movies that already exist in the franchise. So it essentially just drowned in the masses and became just another movie added to the long list of movies to make the legacy of "Godzilla".

This is hardly a "Godzilla" movie that I will be returning to watch a second time around. And my rating of it lands on a very mediocre five out of ten stars.

Mechagodzilla Returns.

[jerekra · 9/10 · 22 September 2008]

Terror of Mechagodzilla follows "Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla". It would be the last film from the original "Showa" series of Godzilla Films.

A submarine goes looking for the remains of Mechagodzilla. It is attacked by a giant dinosaur monster known as Titanosaurus. Later the Simians make a return to Earth and align with a scientist called Dr. Mafune. They bring Mechagodzilla up and repair him and also control Titanosaurus as well. Mafune's daughter Tetsura is killed, so the Simians insert a control for Mechagodzilla into her. Soon the Simians unleash Mechagodzilla and Titanosaurus on Tokyo. Godzilla appears and appears to be the only thing that can save the Earth.

Mechagodzilla returns in this film. Definitely one of Godzilla's greatest foes, so it was no surprise that he appeared in another film with Godzilla. Mechagodzilla is a little different acting in this film in that he must wait for Tetsura to give commands. Also his fingers are longer and has revolving missiles added to his arsenal. Also if Mechagodzilla loses his head he has a smaller head underneath that fires a powerful beam of energy. Mechagodzilla can still function without his head in this film. He just can not function once Tetsura is destroyed.

Mechagodzilla is not by himself in this film. Titanosaurus assists him in battle with Tokyo and Godzilla. Titanosaurus is a bright red and yellow color and has a long neck and tail that becomes like a fan to create wind storms. Also he can jump far and is quite a formidable fighter. However Titanosaurus is not really an evil monster, he is just taken control of by Mafune and the Simians and forced to be evil. A really good monster that only shows up in this film, but I like that he is in it. In fact, Titanosaurus is the main monster in this film and is on screen more than Godzilla and Mechagodzilla.

Godzilla is not in this movie as much as he probably should be, he is over shadowed by both Titanosaurus and Mechagodzilla. This really is more of a Mechagodzilla film than a Godzilla film. But Godzilla does get his fair share of action towards the end. Godzilla has no help in this film, it is him against both Mechagodzilla and Titanosaurus. That is pretty cool.

The monster action is pretty good in this film. Mechagodzilla gets to do some awesome destruction scenes on Japan. Godzillas fight with Mechagodzilla at the end of this film I think is a better overall fight because both monsters get to get in some action. It is not just one sided. There is no blood spilling all over the place in this one, I am not complaining just saying that I guess they thought that they went overboard in the last film.

FOr the most part I thought the acting was good in this film. The young man who is in love with Getsura really shows great emotion and the SImians and Dr. Mafune are good bad guys.

The story is great. It starts off with a search for Mechagodzilla's head. Then Titanosaurus appears and becomes the main focus for a while. Then Godzilla shows up and later Mechagodzilla comes back. Just a lot of good timing for monsters entering. A really well written and well acted film. This is one of the best and most under rated of the entire series.

The music is great. It is not the same score from Terror of Mechagodzilla, it is different and more darker sounding. I guess they made great music a priority in the films starring Mechagodzilla. THis is one of my favorite music scores from any Godzilla movie.

Complaint, well this will be tough. I guess one thing is that if you are watching this film to see Mechagodzilla you have to wait a long time to see him up and going. But that is really nitpicking.

One last thing, the Japanese Version has quite a few differences. FOr one when the Simians are turning Tetsura into a cyborg you can see her nude breasts, I think that is the only nudity in a Godzilla Film. Also the American Version completely botches the ending where Tetsura must make a vital decision in regards to saving herself or the planet. I do not want to give away too much.

A great film. If you liked Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla then you will love this one. Highly recommended.

"Mechagodzilla's brain is installed in my stomach." Decent enough addition to the Godzilla series of films.

[poolandrews · 7/10 · 7 September 2005]

Mekagojira no Gyakushu, or Mechagodzilla vs. Godzilla, Revenge of Mechgodzilla, Terror of Mechagodzilla, The Escape of Mechagodzilla & the version I saw called Monsters From an Unknown Planet are apparently a few of it's alternate titles, starts with footage from the previous Godzilla film, Godzilla vs. Cosmic Monster (1974) showing how Godzilla defeated Mechagodzilla. A team of scientists from the 'Ocean Exploitation Institute' are searching for Mechagodzilla's remains when they encounter a new monster, an aquatic dinosaur named Titanosaurus who promptly destroys their submarine. Interpol Chief Tagawa (Tadao Nakamaru) is on the case & teams agent Jiro Murakoshi (Katsumasa Uchida) up with marine biologist Akira Ichinose (Katsuhiko Sasaki) to figure out what happened to the sub. Just before the sub was destroyed the last radio transmission talked of dinosaurs so our agents make a connection between this & a Dr. Shinji Mafune (Akihiko Hirata) who had previously made mention of a dinosaur named Titanosaurus living in the area the sub was destroyed in, but no one believed him at the time. As our two intrepid agents unravel the mystery it seems that an alien race from the 'Thrid Planet' are trying to wipe out mankind so their race can live here, by themselves. They have persuaded Dr. Mafune & his cyborg daughter Katsura (Tomoko Ai) to help them as they control Titanosaurus, the aliens have also recovered Mechagodzilla's remains & repaired him. The alien's think that Mechagodzilla & Titanosaurus together will be enough to destroy humanity, these guys obviously haven't counted on Godzilla who once again must save planet Earth...

Directed by Ishiro Honda this is another fun Godzilla film from Japanese studio Toho & Mekagojira no Gyakushu was the 15th film to feature Godzilla, the last of the 'classic' Godzilla's before the next entry in the series 9 years later & was made between Godzilla vs. Cosmic Monster & Godzilla 1985 (1984). The script by Yukiko Takayama is a little on the slow side at times, after the repeated flashback footage during the opening sequence Godzilla doesn't appear again until past the 45 miniature mark which is just too long without any monster fighting fun. We only get a choice of three monsters here, the main man himself Godzilla, the fishy Titanosaurus whom I actually quite liked & felt sort of sorry for as he is naturally peaceful but those nasty aliens are controlling him & the very cool Mechagodzilla who has to be one of Godzilla's best adversary's complete with metal body, rocket launchers, laser beams & an infinite supply of ammo! Unfortunately none of these monsters are used as much as I would have liked & the aliens taking over the Earth plot just isn't that great. For some reason the aliens wear silver suits & ridiculous looking helmets. Mekagojira no Gyakushu is a little more serious in tone than some of the childish Godzilla films that had preceded it, the character's are a bit more emotionally developed & it even contains nudity, some bare breasts no less. Technically Mekagojira no Gyakushu is as good as one can expect from this type of film, the special effects once again consist of men in rubber monster suits, model cars, planes & buildings. They obviously can't compare to today's mega budget CGI but they have that indefinable charm & personality, I think the effects look perfectly OK even if they aren't going to win any awards & as always I like to think that the filmmakers did the best they could using their imagination & resources available. The familiar sounding music, the cinematography & general production design are all acceptable considering Mekagojira no Gyakushu probably had a small budget. The acting is alright from what I can make out but the dubbing as usual is pretty bad with some terrible accents for secondary character's & some very silly dialogue exchanges, but it all adds to the fun in my opinion. I liked Mekagojira no Gyakushu but then I am a Godzilla fan anyway, it is a little slow at get going but once it does it's good fun & the climatic battle between Godzilla, Mechagodzilla & Titanosaurus is cool. Definitely worth watching monster fans!

Farewell Godzilla

[AaronCapenBanner · 3/10 · 2 May 2014]

15th and final Godzilla film in the first series from Toho studios sees(ho-hum!) another group of alien invaders reclaim and rebuild what's left of MechaGodzilla, in one last desperate attempt to conquer the Earth by destroying Godzilla. Meanwhile, a traitorous Earth scientist has been in league with them, and programmed a new sea monster called Titanosaurus to help them in that goal. Can the Earth be saved from alien conquest once and for all? Uninspired to say the least, though Titanosaurus is an effective creation, and the tone unusually grim, which may not have appealed to children. Best thing about it is the fitting final fade-out of a departing Godzilla.

the darkest godzilla movie ever made

[gbh1 · 10/10 · 30 April 2003]

Terror of Mechagodzilla was the last Godzilla film of the first series and the last to be directed by Ishiro Honda, the same director of the first and arguably best Godzilla movie in 1954. Fact: Like every Godzilla movie ever made (perhaps bar the first two), it is ridiculous. Get over that and you have the darkest, and in my opinion best Godzilla movie of them all. In the UK it is the only G-movie to have a 15 certificate--for brief nudity and a violent shoot out--(How typically 70's)--but is also the darkest in tone from the art direction to the brilliant score--and the characters..oh, the characters... Well, TOMG is the only Godzilla movie to feature a femme fatale--which is already an achievment for a mostly juvenile sub-genre. *****SPOILER****** Funky Interpol agent Ichinosi falls deeply in love with Katsura, the cyborg daughter of a mad scientist, after exchanging all of about two cold scentences with her--fantastic! Not to mention his secretary--look closely and im sure she's got a crush on him...A love triangle in a monster movie! And then of course, the monsters are great--no stingy 'waste land' battles--we actually get to see buildings get smashed up in this one (surely the whole point of a G-movie), and the monsters are great too--'good guy' Godzilla's suit still looks cartoony, yet angry in a cute kind of way, and then there's Titanosaurus, who has a great shriek/noise and a tail that can 'fan' buildings away (!). Look out for Godzilla's first appearance which is also particularly fanatstic--and then his second arrival in Tokyo to save a couple of kids getting stamped on--genius. And did i mention Mechagodzilla? He really tears the roof off in this one--two re-makes on and the original Mechagodzilla is still the scariest. All i can say is give this film a chance--it has more ham than a spam factory but is very fast paced and entertaining throughout--right up until the inevitable tragic ending between katsura and ichinosi.

And yes, the ending score as godzilla sails off into he ocean still makes me cry even today.

Terror of Mechagodzilla review

[Al_The_Strange · 6/10 · 29 December 2013]

In the original Godzilla series, the monstrous city-stomping lizard confronted a space-aged robotic version of himself in Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla. This sequel picks up where that film left off, with humans tampering with Mechagodzilla's remains at the bottom of the ocean. Naturally it doesn't go very well.

At this point, things in the Godzilla franchise has ventured into some extremely campy and far-out sci-fi B-movie territory. Not only does this film feature Godzilla and Mechagodzilla duking it out, but there are also dinosaurs and aliens hailing from the third planet of some black hole. Yep, dinosaurs, mutant radioactive lizards, a giant mecha, and space aliens all inhabit the screen together. Come to think of it, there was a cyborg in the mix too, wasn't there? It makes for a rather convoluted and mixed viewing experience.

When it comes to the actual mass destruction, it's all shoved toward the end of the movie, feeling a bit short, and with very little that stands out. The rest of the film is focused on the drama (including huge heapings of people in war rooms and command centers, aliens scheming, and some kind of romantic subplot), which is not inherently bad, but it drags at spots and never really gives the film much momentum.

As mentioned above, the story can be a bit nutty, but it has its moments. The characters have a few standout moments (thanks largely to the love story that's thrown in), but a lot of them take the back seat to all the conspiracy surrounding the monsters.

This film is made with good, but never great, photography and editing. Acting and writing are generally not bad. This production has some very cheap and gaudy-looking sets, props, costumes, and special effects. The model work, monsters, and compositing/projection effects have not aged well, and look pretty bad. Music is okay.

Terror of Mechagodzilla struck me as a pretty cheesy B-movie, offering a mish-mash of numerous crazy ideas. Despite the clash of aliens, robots, and monsters, the film didn't really engage me that much, and it felt dull overall. Fans might dig it though.

3/5 (Entertainment: Average | Story: Average | Film: Average)

Terrible movie

[sveknu · 3/10 · 15 February 2007]

Since the original "Godzila vs. Mechagodzilla" was a rather good movie, I guess this was just an attempt to cash in on the whole Mechagodzilla-appearance. Unfortunately, this is just a bad version of the "original". The plot is nearly the same, not just as Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla", but as most of the previous Godzilla-movies. I have to say that I'm getting really tired of the "spacemen want to conquer Earth with a monster and Godzilla comes to the rescue"-plot. Time to come up with some new ideas, people (and later they did, sort of). Also on the wrongside: Godzilla isn't nearly in this movie at all. He's only in some scenes at the end of the movie, making this a really boring experience. The special effects are really bad, and they didn't avoid stock footage in this movie either. Stay away.

Terror of Mechagodzilla

[I_John_Barrymore_I · 26 June 2008]

Things did not bode well at the start, with a seven-minute greatest hits sequence that never seemed to end, but by the time it was over I found myself grateful for so much action so early on. When the story proper started it was with some very impressive underwater model work (I couldn't see the seams at any rate).

But what really marked this out as a superior entry is the plot. A reclusive discredited scientist is employed by aliens to use his thought-controlled pet Titanosaurus to destroy Tokyo along with the newly-rebuilt Mechagodzilla, their combined might certain to overcome that pesky Godzilla. Meanwhile an Interpol agent and a marine scientist investigate the disappearance of an exploratory submarine, the trail leading them to the scientist's beautiful but non-too-helpful daughter.

It might sound like the usual gubbins on paper but there's genuine tension in many of the scenes, it's logical and exciting, and rather than feeling like drawn-out filler while we wait for the real action to begin it's successful on its own terms, even managing to pull off genuine pathos bordering on tragedy at the end.

When it does begin it's hands down the best destruction I've seen so far in the series. They're right in the centre of Tokyo surrounded by skyscrapers ready to be demolished and incinerated. The camera pans across the cityscape as whole swathes of it are destroyed, and it truly is spectacular. What makes it even more powerful is that it's not a fight sequence for the most part - it's just two big boys laying waste to the city.

Godzilla himself is given a wonderful entrance, and in those moments it's a thrill to see this (of all films) so overtly referencing The Third Man (of all films).

They do escape to the country for the final showdown, but there's still the odd power station to be sat on and let's face it, we've already had our money's worth with the destruction of Tokyo. The fight is lengthy too, with Godzilla on the back foot for most of it, and while we're never unsure of the outcome it does get pretty hairy for the big guy.

For the budget the special effects are often superb and always imaginative (like the alien technician walking inside Mechagodzilla's head or the shot that takes us from his massive, dormant frame as he's being worked on, through a window, and finishes with the aliens and doctor watching the progress from a lab).

The music throughout is excellent, and the female lead is impossibly gorgeous.

What's not to love?

Entertaining Entry In The Goji Canon

[coconutkungfu-30704 · 6/10 · 17 February 2020]

A darker Showa era film that is a bit of a letdown as a follow-up to the classic first MechaGoji film. Still an entertaining film that is required viewing for fans of the series and fans of MechaGoji. Another evil aliens plot this time around but it is rather nicely put together.

An entertaining Goji movie all things considered.

6 Cyborgs out of 10!

More mecha mayhem

[jamesrupert2014 · 7/10 · 5 January 2018]

"Terror of Mechagodzilla" is a direct sequel to "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla" (1974) and opens with a submarine looking for the remnants of the Godzilla's robotic counterpart, thought to be at the bottom of the ocean near Okinawa. The submarine encounters an immense creature, which attacks and destroys the vessel, but not before the doomed crew radio that they are being attacked by a dinosaur. Interpol begins an investigation that leads to deranged misanthrope Dr. Shinzo Mafune and his daughter Katsura who are in league with the aliens that built Mechagodzilla. Mafune has perfected a device that can control the Titanosaurus and the aliens plan to use the combined might of the giant dinosaur and the rebuilt robot to first defeat Godzilla and then conquer the world (starting, of course, with Tokyo). The film, 15th in the series and last of the "Showa period", sees the return of director Ishiro Honda and is more serious (as kaiju films go) and less child-oriented that many of the previous sequels. Mechagodzilla combines the two popular Japanese tropes: mechas (giant robots) and kaiju (giant monsters) and proved to be a popular adversary (returning in both the Heisei and millennium periods). Titanosaurus, despite being quite well done, was a one timer (not counting a cameo in 2004's all-monster spectacular "Godzilla: Final Wars"). In general the monster scenes are pretty good (despite some weak rear-projection shots), although the buildings that they destroy are not as intricately detailed (and therefore less realistic) than in earlier films. Godzilla is less anthropomorphic than in previous outings but continues to 'box' with his opponents and gesture with his 'hands' in a very human fashion. Surprisingly, the film includes a gratuitous 'topless' scene and, although Katsura's exposed 'breasts' are more 'suit-mation', they are a lot more real looking than I was expecting having read about the scene in Kalet's "A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series". The scene is oddly adult in a movie clearly targeting a young audience and was cut from American releases (I am commenting on a subtitled Japanese version of the film). Although the last of its era and not a financial success, "Terror of Mechagodzilla" is a pretty good example of '70s kaiju action. Although a long way from the dark and somber original, the film is less silly than many of its predecessors and is generally an entertaining entry into the series. Best seen in conjunction with it antecedent "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla", although there are sufficient 'flashbacks' for the uninitiated to pick up the (admittedly uncomplicated) storyline.

The gorilla-like alien return with Mechagodzilla to destroy Japan once again

[a_chinn · 6/10 · 10 December 2017]

Sequel to Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla has the gorilla-like aliens return, who are shown primarily in their human form, once again trying to destroy Japan with their giant mechanical version of Godzilla. But wait! If the return of Mechagodzilla wasn't bad enough, the aliens also unleash Titanosaurus, thanks to a traitorous human scientist. This was the final film directed by Ishirô Honda, who directed the more high minded first film, and this was the also the final film in the original run of Godzilla films where he was the hero (he'd later be portrayed as a hero once again in "Godzilla: Final Wars," which in my opinion is the best of all the Godzilla sequels). But back to "Terror of Mechagodzilla," this is a film clearly aimed at children, but as a fan of Japanese Kaiju movies, I was entertained by this corny rubber suited nonsense.

its a fine attempt to make Godzilla a more serious thing again

[y-02311 · 5/10 · 17 February 2020]

They failed but it was still a good attempt, it also has Titanosaurus and was a fitting end to the showa series of Godzilla films

Better than you'd think

[eil-2 · 8/10 · 3 December 2002]

Following on from the perky Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla, Terror of Mechagodzilla is a very different movie in tone, possibly because series founder Ishiro Honda is directing. The story (about a beautiful female cyborg helping alien forces control the Earth by destroying it with monsters Mechagodzilla and Titanosaurus) is perhaps more credible than you'd expect, given the superior level of acting on show from the cast. Naturally, the film really excels with the creatures and Akira Ifukube's doom-laden score. If more Godzilla movies were similar to this then perhaps the series would face less ridicule. Or maybe not. Still good though. 8/10

tolerable crazy human story

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 28 October 2019]

This follows directly after the previous movie in the franchise. A submarine tries to retrieve the Mechagodzilla wreckage but is met by Titanosaurus. The International Police Organization is shocked at the lost of the crew and examines new evidence of flying saucers. Mad scientist Mafune and his daughter form an alliance with aliens from Black Hole Planet 3 who are rebuilding Mechagodzilla after salvaging the wreckage from the bottom of the ocean.

Apparently, the Japanese film industry was in trouble at the time. That's not a surprise. The American industry was also in trouble during that era. This franchise was also running on fumes and the filmmakers obviously threw everything into this. I actually found the human story more compelling than the usual Godzilla movie. The daughter's dilemma is quite engrossing. This works great as a father daughter story. This movie is stuffed with all kinds of sci-fi material. The fact that it works at all is very impressive. It's rare that the monster action doesn't dominate a Godzilla movie.

Don't bother renting this

[Pluto_of_Pluto · 3/10 · 11 May 2004]

When I got this I was pretty excited. The rematch everyone was waiting for between Godzilla and Mechagodzilla was here! Unfortunately, this movie does not live up to its hype whatsoever. The story is patheticly dull and the fight at the end is just nothing to look forward to. What makes this worse is that this is the final directorial effort from Ishiro Honda, by far the greatest of all the Godzilla directors. While this movie clocks in at a slender 78 minutes, the more you see of it the more you realize how pointless the whole affair was. Quite possibly the only Godzilla movie worse than this is the horrific King Kong Versus Godzilla, just not by much.

only the monsters inherit the earth

[winner55 · 9/10 · 4 December 2006]

The currently available English-dub print of this film is a frightfully hash-re-edit from UPA, released to TV syndication in 1978. I hope this is not the best surviving print of the film, but it very well may be. It is transferred in grainy pan-and-scan, and there are obvious bits and pieces missing from it - it is certainly possible to follow the story, but not always possible to follow the action. For instance, there's a moment towards the end when Godzilla is knocked over by a blast of Mechagodzilla's light ray; then suddenly, he's up and swinging, and Mecha-G is sparking from a short-circuit - what happened? We may never know.

Quality of surviving prints aside, this is Ishiro Honda's final attempt to remind Godzilla-fans what the series was originally intended to be about. The opening soundtrack is amazing - it begins with a martial snare tattoo; then Akira Ifukube introduces the darkest, most menacing Godzilla music he ever composed - it's really a shame that his "Mechagodzilla theme" was never re-introduced to the later revival-Godzilla films of the 1990s. It is brooding and downright scary without any images - but it enhances some of the stark images of the film very well.

These images include the most frightening moment of Tokyo-destruction ever seen in a Godzilla film, when Mecha-G and Titanosaurus march on the Japanese capitol with a sadistic joy rarely exhibited by rubber monsters from Toho. Although the scene is relatively brief, it leaves a huge impact - The cinematography captures the essence of US military documentary footage of experimental nuclear bomb tests - truly frightening. Also, there are some quirky back-screen shots of the monsters wading through the city that manage to capture how insignificant their human victims are to such gigantic creatures - the over-all effect proves to be every bit as scary as Honda must have wished.

The opening martial tattoo on the snare tells us what this film is really about - it is a puppet-show metaphor for war, in all its hideously dehumanizing violence.

Towards the end, a scientist holds in his arms the dying form of the woman with whom he fell in love, robotized and short-circuited like the Mecha-G. she was used to control, and reassures her(it): "...even if you're a cyborg, I still love you; none of this is your fault - you aren't to blame.' The epitaph of a good chunk of the 20th Century - thank god it's over. The only weird thing is, we survived.

Or, perhaps we didn't; it is Godzilla who wades through this film unscathed. Perhaps only the monsters inherit the earth.

Pretty underrated movie!

[cmphalen · 7/10 · 18 January 2024]

I love how they had mechagodzilla have a new look I prefer this design more than the 1974 design even if this is a 7/10 film I think this is a great movie I wish this was longer so we could see more Kaiju action!

We need more films like this I love this film

Fun fact: this was the last Godzilla film of the Showa era! The ending was meah but the beginning was good.

Sadly we will never see this version of Godzilla again😔😔😔 but in 1984 a reboot was released called the return of Godzilla which the name doesn't make sense because this is a new Godzilla but toho wanted people to think this is a sequel to Godzilla(1954) even if it is technically a sequel ignoring the sequels Overall terror of mechagodzilla is a great film we need more like this.

very average remake of the previous mecha movie

[r-c-s · 4/10 · 30 November 2005]

While the previous mechagodzilla movie was better, this one is a poor excuse for a remake. Special effects are duller and the budget is (apparently) much lower. As with other such monster movies, they try to thicken the plot with many subplots, including a love story, submarine searches, alien invasion etc. In the end (being a bit more than 70 minutes), none of them develops clearly and -as with monster movies in general- are felt somewhat superfluous. Alien invaders from a planet victim of a black hole have rebuilt the disposed of mechagodzilla and plan to team it up with another marine monster called Titanosaurus. This second monster was the reason why an acclaimed scientist got fired from his job to end up in poverty. He's thus resentful & plans revenge. Both subplots will come in the spurious Go Nagai ( the Japanese anime/robot artist ) series Daiku Maryu Gaiking, where inhabitants of planet Zela want to invade Earth to avert their doom caused by a black hole. One episode features a once prominent scientist laughed offstage for his offbeat theories joining the spacemen resentful for the death in poverty of his wife&child. Godzilla does NOT appear from the first 50 (yes 50) minutes of the movie, besides stock footage from the opening titles. The scientist's daughter has been turned into a cyborg following an accident in her father's laboratory, and she's thus a puppet run by the aliens despite her kind feelings. Her path crosses with a clumsy interpol agent's later convinced of the truth in the old scientist's theories. Once all those subplots seem to clearly go nowhere, in fifteen minutes you get the alien base blown up, the cyborg girl, her father & some aliens die; other aliens die while trying to escape while men in rubber suit wrestle one another. Even the bond sets of the alien base look very cheap & stitched together from garage sales. The English dubbing is especially bad; Besides the voices, it's not very clear.. The only good thing is godzilla is still a positive character here.