The second part in Godzilla's 50th anniversary trilogy is released in 2003, part 27, GODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. Over the years, to all the Godzilla fans, Mechagodzilla has always been a favorite among the kaiju roster. His first appearance in 1974's GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA was the high point of the Godzilla films released in the 1970's. One in which received a direct sequel in 1975, TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA. In 1993 he returned, reinvented as Earth's protector. 1993's GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA is regarded among most fans as the high point in the Heisei series (second series) of films. Mechagodzilla was slated to return to fight along side Godzilla for the 40th anniversary film GODZILLA VS SPACEGODZILLA. Can you imagine having 3 different Godzillas in one movie? Man, that would have been epic! A helluva 40th anniversary if you ask me. But that never came to pass for MechaG was replaced with Moguera for part 22 (a character I was delighted to see).
Mechagodzilla returned yet again in 2002's GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA. And once again MechaG earns another direct sequel, the only kaiju to have done so repeatedly within the Godzilla franchise. The film follows immediately after the previous one as repairs are being made to Kiryu. Mothra's twin fairies have returned and beg the return of the original Godzilla's bones to rest. Japan is reluctant to give up their greatest weapon in an event that Godzilla should return. Mothra offers to protect Japan in Kiryu's stead but even still Japan refuses.
Godzilla returns and proves to be more than a match for Mothra and both Kiryu and Mothra are needed to save Japan. In the end both Godzilla and Kiryu plunge deep into the ocean depths, hopefully never to return again. Another monster makes a very brief cameo too, Kamoebas, a kaiju sea turtle that first appeared in 1971's SPACE AMOEBA.
After the credits there is a little scene hinting at what the third part of the trilogy will be, the 50th anniversary film will be GODZILLA VS GODZILLA!! Oh wait, no. No that didn't happen. Instead we received Ryuhei Kitamura's disasterpiece (I mean that in the worst way) Godzilla: Final Wars. What was boasting to be an original new epic Godzilla film, one they spent 2 years already setting up, was shelved because of short-sighted studio executives. Once again we are all reminded that money makes the world go round and some "could've been great" movies were lost as a result.
Anyway, looking back this one, you can tell that the studio was cutting budgets. The special effects aren't as crisp and shiny as in GMK (2001) nor are the sets. The plot is still entertaining and very Japanese in that the crux of the plot is that Godzilla's bones must be returned to the earth or the spirit can never rest. One really cool thing about the film is that it brings back characters we haven't seen since 1961. Actor Hiroshi Koizumi (who made his Godzilla series debut back in 1955) returns to reprise his role from 1961's MOTHRA. Again another instance where TOHO ties all their films together. One of the aspects that makes the film a little more special.
Overall Ranking: 5 out of 10
Category: Transcendence
I've never really been a fan of Mothra though. That's just a personal taste.
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