Godzilla Vs. Megalon (DVD, 2002)

I am trying to figure out why Megalon gets no love from Toho anymore. No spot in Godzilla Final Wars and no mass marketed DVD. I have a soft spot for this movie as it was the first Godzilla movie I ever saw. Godzilla vs. Megalon was pretty clearly an attempt by Toho to see if Jet Jaguar could be another Ultraman. Since he barely contributes to any offense to the Godzilla/Jet Jaguar tag team, I would say he is no Ultraman. He could be the one robot that Iron King could beat on his own, but that is about it.

Megalon, on the other hand, is main source of offense for the Megalon/Gigan team. He is more of a Gamera monster, with his mulitude of attack abilities, than a Godzilla monster. Maybe that is why Toho doesn't love him.

Still all Godzilla fans should see, if not own, this movie. Just as Godzilla vs. King Kong defined the tone of the 1960's movies, Godzilla vs. Megalon defines the tone of the 1970's movies.

This movie definitely isn't one of Godzilla's movies. I always say that most Godzilla movies are corny or cheesy, but this one really stands alone and exhibits much of what that means. The story is really...well...confusing to me. Apparently, there are a race of humans living beneath the surface of the Earth (? - I never did quite figure out WHERE they were from) and they just have a grudge with Earth. So they send a large bug, Megalon, to destroy it. Eventually, Gigan gets in the mix - I guess the under dwellers are friends with aliens. Anyway, throw in an over the top looky robot, a kid in tight shorts, some chase scenes and finally Godzilla DROPKICKING...you'll get a film with some unintentionally gut buster scenes. You will laugh, which is a shame, because this could have been better. It's still worth a look and (as I always say) Godzilla fans should be adding this to their collection. Is it enjoyable? As a Godzilla movie, not really; as a movie with it's quirks, and easy laughs, yes. The fight scenes aren't that bad once the four get involved. Oh, that's right, somehow the robot gains free will and can grow in size...he and Godzilla form a dynamic duo to destroy the two monsters. As they close the movie, we get a great scene of the robot - whose name is Jet Jaguar, by the way - shaking hands (awkward, I know). Then, as if we didn't get enough unintended laughs, we get to endure the closing credits with a theme song about Jet Jaguar. Some Japanese song, idolizing this lame robot...he reminds me of a Power Ranger, in a way. Let me also say that most of the acting and scenes with the people, are really stupid. Oh, enjoy the haircuts on most of them, too...they're pretty bad. Do I like this movie? - Short answer is yes, but mainly because of it's cheesiness. Do I own it? - Of course. All Godzilla fans should get their hands on just about every movie. Do I recommend this? - Yes, because it's Godzill and it's good for a laugh.

Finding this title on a DVD I could play in R1 was what I was looking for as I have been replacing all my VHSs and this one was extreamly hard to find. There are no real flaws in the image, in fact I have never seen a cleaner version of it - the colors are bright and the movements smooth, even the soundtrack is clear and at a volume I don't have to raise in order to hear it- something I normaly have to do with most DVDs. The only thing I have a minor gripe with is that I wish the subtitles were in yellow instead of white - my eyesight is not the best and yellow subtitles are just easier for me to see, but at least these are bright and clear and better than most white lettered subtitles that often get lost on a light bachground.

The only reason I held back giving it 5-stars is that, while not as bad a movie as some have tried to make it out as being, it's clearly not among the best of the Showa's. But it does have the destinction of being among the goofiest Goji-films ever made, with Megalon hamming it up, Gigan being the thug with a yellow streak, and the G-man himself throwing in some luchadore moves. Plus toss in a bad Ultraman knockoff and you have most of what you need for a good popcorn flick. The humans, as usual, are awfull especially the kid who's voice can shatter glass. Learn to ignore them for the most part.

Ok, say what you will. Godzilla vs Megalon isn't gonna win any major awards or anything. However, If you a DieHard Collector of the Godzilla Movie Series,
a bad copy is better then no copy at all. The packaging has very colorfull art
word and the disk is standard. However, the print of the film used has clearly seen better days. No one, and I mean NO ONE, has yet to come out with a good copy of the Film on disk. So as I have said before, Anything is Better then nothing.

EXCELLENT MOVIE!!!!! LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!!! A MUST HAVE 4 ALL THE GODZILLA FANS OUT THERE!!!! A TRUE CLASSIC!!!!! WHEN GODZILLA AND JET JAGUAR TEAM UP 2 FIGHT MEGALON AND GIGAN, OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!! IT DOESNT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!!!!!!! I LOVE IT WHEN JET JAGUAR INCREASES HIS SIZE 2 "MONSTER SIZE" OUTTA NOWHERE!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOW!!!!! THIS IS A GREAT FUN LOVING MOVIE WITH A PRETTY GOOD TRANSFER 2 DVD!!!!!!!!!!!