Godzilla vs. Megalon (Gokira tai Megaro) (1973) |
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General | Extras | ||
Category | Science Fiction |
Theatrical Trailer Gallery-Poster Trailer-Madman Trailers Alternative Version-US version |
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Rating | |||
Year Of Production | 1973 | ||
Running Time | 88:13 (Case: 79) | ||
RSDL / Flipper | Dual Layered | Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Menu | ||
Region Coding | 4 | Directed By | Jun Fukuda |
Studio
Distributor |
Toho Company Madman Entertainment |
Starring |
Katsuhiko Sasaki Hiroyuki Kawase Yutaka Hayashi Robert Dunham Kotaro Tomita Wolf Otsuki Gentaro Nakajima Sakyo Mikami Fumiyo Ikeda Kanta Mori Shinji Takagi Hideto Odachi Tsugutoshi Komada |
Case | Amaray-Transparent-Dual | ||
RPI | $14.95 | Music | Riichiro Manabe |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | None |
Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s) Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 mono (224Kb/s) English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono (224Kb/s) |
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Widescreen Aspect Ratio | 2.35:1 | ||
16x9 Enhancement |
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Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 2.35:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | No | ||
Subtitles | English | Smoking | No |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | No |
In Japan Professor Goro Ibuki (Katsuhiko Sasaki) has invented a flying, man sized robot he calls Jet Jaguar (for no particular reason). Meanwhile, continued nuclear testing in the Pacific has resulted in earth quakes and earth tremors that threaten the existence of the underwater civilization of Seatopia that has lain hidden for 3,000 years. Distressed, Emperor Antonio of Seatopia (Robert Dunham) declares war upon the Earth dwellers and unleashes the beetle like monster Megalon to ravage the Earth’s cities and infrastructure, including dams, roads and industry. Simultaneously, Seatopian agents are sent to kidnap Goro and his brother Rokuro (Hiroyuki Kawase) and to gain control of Jet Jaguar. Initially they succeed, but with the help of Goro’s friend Hiroshi (Yutaka Hayashi) Goro escapes, regains control of Jet Jaguar and sends him off to Monster Island to fetch Godzilla to fight Megalon. Not to be outdone, Antonio summons the space monster Gigan back to Earth. The stage is set for a monster tag team match to decide, yet again, the fate of the Earth and its undeserving people.
Godzilla vs. Megalon or, to give it the Japanese title, Gojira tai Megaro from 1973 is not without interest. It is, in fact, a strange mix with the introduction of a decent new monster in Megalon and a silly super hero type in Jet Jaguar with Godzilla relegated to the last half hour of the film. There are some negatives. As usual, the humans in the story are not particularly interesting, and the plot defies logic. For example, Jet Jaguar expands from man size to monster size without any real explanation. The costumes of the Seatopians, from the white Greek tunic and tiara of Emperor Antonio to the white bikinis covered by see through plastic raincoats of the dancers, all with high white boots, have to be seen to be believed! The budget was obviously a huge problem, as lengthy sequences were lifted straight from the previous year’s Godzilla vs. Gigan (which itself had lifted many sequences from earlier Godzilla films), including the army mobilisation, missile and aircraft attack (with Megalon substituted for Gigan), the trashing of Tokyo (with a ray beam from Megalon’s head substituted for King Ghidorah’s beams) and the entire Godzilla / Gigan fight from the previous film. Mind you, some of these were good fun the year before, so I suppose they can stand another look. However, there were some great new (at least to me) sequences, such as Megalon’s destruction of a dam, and the final tag team fight. There is something about four , pre-CGI, men in monster suits throwing each other around and trampling on miniature trees and hills that never fails to charm.
Godzilla vs. Megalon has been labelled by some critics as the worst Godzilla ever (which is a bit unfair; I think, for example, that Son of Godzilla (1967), Godzilla: All Monsters Attack (1969) or Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971) are all worse films), and while die hard Godzilla fans may be disappointed, the film has some good monster fight sequences and never takes itself too seriously. If you can just go with the flow it is quite good entertainment.
Godzilla vs. Megalon is presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, the original theatrical ratio, and is 16x9 enhanced. On the whole the print lacks sharpness, especially in the human sequences, although the monster scenes are better. Blacks and shadow detail are acceptable, while brightness, contrast and skin tones vary, with brightness on the overexposed side. Colours are quite dull. There is mild grain but I did not spot any obvious artefacts.
Lip synchronisation when Robert Dunham is speaking is somewhat off but is otherwise OK.
The English subtitles are in a yellow font in American English. Other than American spelling I did not notice any errors.
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Audio is a choice between Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 at 448 Kbps and Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 mono at 224 Kbps. The US version of the film has an English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono at 224 Kbps.
The 5.1 is reasonable. Dialogue was clear, there is some separation but no panning effects, the surrounds are used for music and effects and the sub woofer offered limited support. It is not particularly enveloping but is effective.
The original theatrical release was in mono so we have this track on the DVD. It sounds more sharp and strident, rendering well the creature roars and effects so it is also quite effective. I actually preferred this track.
The music by Riichiro Manabe is sometimes quite bizarre. For instance, in the monster fight climax it veered from jazz themes, to techno pop and blue grass! Other times it was not as intrusive as some Godzilla score have been, but it hardly helps the film.
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Although nowhere noted in the packaging or in the menu, the US version of Godzilla vs. Megalon, running 75:26 (the Japanese version runs 88:13), is included on the DVD. It can be watched by accessing the English dub from the “Set Up” menu. The video specifications are identical to the Japanese version, the audio is English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono at 224 Kbps, but subtitles are not available. This is an excellent addition, especially for those who want to see (or hear) just how bad the dubbing of Japanese films can be!
2 Japanese film posters.
Trailers for other films from Madman. Included is Godzilla vs. Gigan (2:19), Godzilla vs. Hedorah (2.13) and Godzilla – All Monsters Attack (2:31).
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
The Region 2 Japanese version includes an audio commentary by actor Katsuhiko Sasaki, an interview with special effects director Teruyoshi Nakano, trailer, booklet and a karaoke track, but there are no English subtitles for the extras or the feature. The US Region 1 disc has only Japanese and English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio tracks and a trailer, Region 2 German and French versions also lack English subtitles. Our Region 4 contains both the original Japanese and the US cuts of the film and is the best choice for English speakers.
Godzilla vs. Megalon from 1973 has been labelled by some critics as the worst Godzilla ever. I don’t agree and while die hard Godzilla fans may be disappointed, the film has some good monster fight sequences and never takes itself too seriously. If you just go with the flow it is quite good fun.
The film is presented on a DVD with acceptable video, good audio and minimal extras; except that the unadvertised US version of the film is an excellent addition for those who want to see (hear) just how bad the dubbing of Japanese films can be!
Godzilla vs. Megalon is included in the Madman 6 disc box set Godzilla Showa Classics Volume 2 along with Godzilla: All Monsters Attack (1969), Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971), Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) and Terror of Mechagodzilla: (1975). For a RPI of $49.95 this set is still a fabulous way to stay in touch with “the original monster of mass destruction”.
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Review Equipment | |
DVD | Sony BDP-S350, using HDMI output |
Display | LG 42inch Hi-Def LCD. This display device has not been calibrated. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 1080p. |
Audio Decoder | NAD T737. This audio decoder/receiver has not been calibrated. |
Amplification | NAD T737 |
Speakers | Studio Acoustics 5.1 |