Godzilla vs Megaguirus
release year: 2000
genre: modern Godzilla
viewing setting: home DVD, 5/8/04
synopsis: An attempt to create a weapon that can destroy Godzilla ends up creating killer bugs instead.
impressions: As others have pointed out, there are three distinct phases of Godzilla movies: the old ones (1954-1975), the modern ones (1984-1995), and the new ones (2000-present.) This is the first movie of the third category. Somewhat confusing and sometimes plodding, but as usual, the big monster fights were good. I find myself wondering what the selling power of a "Godzilla's Greatest Big Monster Battles" best-of DVD would be - just imagine, a couple hours collecting all the monster battles of all the movies, all in a row. Yes! But anyway...about this movie's plot...why would they want to destroy the monster that always protects them from bad monsters? My brother and I just weren't sure. I mean, Godzilla was sleeping - sleeping, for crying out loud! - on the ocean floor before they found him and started messing with him. For all we know, he would have stayed there, not bothering anybody, forever. But no...they had to go and wake him up...and they're surprised when he comes to their city and demolishes it?!? And incidentally, isn't the creation of a tiny black hole just a little dangerous? This movie's events were a clear case of the solution being worse than the problem.
things to watch for: When the Megaguirus finally forms near the end, and flies out to fight Godzilla.
something this movie has that no other movie has: A giant bug with a radiation-sapping stinger.
acting: Godzilla looked a little dorky, especially around the snout, but his fighting skills are still well above average. The Megaguirus is a new actor in these films, but he did okay for most of the big fight, flying circles around Godzilla and attacking at will.
another good review: Stomp Tokyo
final word: Good modern-day Godzilla action, though a little low on the fight quota.
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