since April 1, 1999.
Welcome to the Monster Mania, where we'll review the exploits of some of the world's best-known monster movies.
This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the movie.
That said, on to the review!
Pursuing leads about a new, potentially profitable pharmaceutical, researchers head in to the South Pacific. There they make friends with a tribe of natives who harvest the berries that produce the narcotic substance. The superstitious natives are reluctant to conclude any deals...moreso when terrible roars echo out from the mountains of their island. On the second night of their stay on the island, the researchers and the natives become the target of a giant octopus' obsession. Only the timely intervention of the native's fearsome god-being--none other than King Kong--saves them...that, and the narcotic liquid that Kong guzzles down, putting himself to sleep. The researchers begin the difficult process of towing the sedated Kong back to Tokyo.
Meanwhile, something has caused icebergs to the north to break apart. A submarine exploring the strange phenomena dies a grim, drowning death. It isn't until a helicopter, searching for the missing sub, learns what new terror lurks to the north: Godzilla is back! The radioactive gargantuan lizard naturally heads back to his old stomping grounds in Japan. Now, what do you think is going to happen when America's titanic gorilla comes face to face with Japan's mega-monster?
I'm not sure what to say about this movie. The premise of this movie is reasonable enough; after all, it pits two movie monsters the viewing public is familiar with against one another. The Japanese researchers' preconceived notions of the islanders' beliefs being destroyed by reality was enjoyable, and the squishy sounds the giant octopus made during its close-ups was positively revolting...which is to say, perfect! The comic moments worked into the film were likewise pleasing to watch, especially when the head of the pharmaceutical company, trying to prevent one of his employees from blowing King Kong up, inadvertantly falls on the plunger himself.
Still, there were sections that just didn't make any sense whatsoever. The young woman fleeing from the oncoming Godzilla just couldn't seem to get her feet on the ground. She was equally unconvincing during her imprisonment in King Kong's grip. Oh, and what's this about King Kong getting stronger via electricity and Godzilla fearing it? As I recall, on his original Tokyo rampage Godzilla tore through the high-voltage wires surrounding Tokyo easily. And later, in Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster, it is lightning which awakens him! So, what's going on? Oh, and don't get me started on the fight scenes. First off, King Kong was too human. Yeah, there's a human in the suit--and in the Godzilla suit,too--but some of Kong's actions were just too human-like to be believable. I am not a King Kong fan so I have no idea if the original King Kong had a giant ape that evinced human characteristics.
Now here's a question I invite somebody--anybody--to answer. How in the world do Godzilla (and King Kong, and all the rest) manage to stand soooo high in the water when, theoretically, they should be floundering with at least a hundred fathoms between them and the ocean floor? Their sudden eruptions out of the ocean I can buy: sink or dive down, then propel yourself as quickly as possible to the surface and there you ahave it. But how can Godzilla suddenly rise up--spines first--out of the water?
As much as I hate to say it, this movie isn't really all that good. About the best parts are all the comic incidents, including the scene of the young woman's (Godzilla's and Kong's victim) boyfriend climbing over the railing of the balcony to demonstrate how strong his new wire is. And the scene of King Kong floating through the air courtesy of several huge balloons is extremely amusing. Comedy alone can't make a movie, though, and the fight scenes are hardly up to the task of redeeming the long build-ups to the clash.
Godzilla vs. The Thing should be the next movie I review, but don't hold your breath. Unless I can rent it before next update, the movie that appears here next will be Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster. Get ready for a mega-monster showdown!
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