Godzilla, Mothra & King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack

History and myth are on a collision course when Godzilla returns for the first time in 50 years. Fueled by the souls of those killed during World War II, Godzilla is stronger and more merciless than ever before.  As the JSDF desperately tries to hold him back, a beautiful young reporter discovers signs that could lead to the only true hope for Japan’s safety: the emergence of two guardian monsters: Mothra and King Ghidorah.  Can the combined might of these two titans defeat the King of the Monsters?

 
Welcome to the start of Godzilla Month III.  This year, much like our first one back in 2021, we’ll be looking at four films from one particular era of Godzilla, specifically the Millenium Era.  The mere mention of a new Godzilla movie coming out is sure to put butts in seats.  The only thing that guarantees extra butts in seats is having him face an iconic foe from his long resume of rivals.  Toho’s taken that latter lesson to heart after the disappointing Godzilla vs. Megagirus and instead brought back not one, but two of Godzilla’s more famous combatants for a clash for the ages, while also delivering one of the scariest versions of the King of the Monsters ever. 
 
GMK, as the film is nicknamed cause damn that’s a long title, is helmed by director Shusuke Kaneko, who previously directed a trilogy of well received Gamera films in the 90s, known as the Gamera Hesei Trilogy.  All three of those films are excellent, especially Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris, and Kaneko brings those amazing talents to this film as well.  The man has a keen eye for staging Kaiju battles, adhering to the old school techniques of suit work that packs punch and plenty of brutality.  Godzilla isnt holding back against anyone this time, not that he ever does but there’s a reason for that we’ll get into in a moment.  This is definitely one of his more violent outings with Mothra, Ghidorah and bonus guest Barugon all getting brutalized and bloodied by the King of the Monsters.  Anyone who’s wanted Godzilla more the villain in his films gets their wish here while also feeling kind of bad for the monsters trying to stop his rampage.
 
So yeah, Godzilla here is a bit of a unique one.  Like other films in the Millenium series, GMK ignores what’s come before and acts as a direct sequel to the original 1954 Gojira.  But this isnt just another Godzilla, this one appears to be imbued with the spirits of those lost during the Pacific Campaigns of World War II…and they are pissed.  Add their fury to Godzilla’s already mammoth penchant for destruction and it’s a whole new kind of terror.  One need look no further than Godzilla’s pure white eyes.  He truly looks possessed and that makes him more dangerous than ever.  It’s definitely one of the scariest depictions and designs of the King of the Monsters alongside Shin Godzilla and Godzilla Minus One.  Not to steal all of his spotlight but Mothra, Ghidorah and Barugon all look equally awesome.  Mothra in particular looks absolutely beautiful and I love the wire work still used to make her fly.  Special points go to Barugon for their adorable design, and also actress Rie Ota, who can be heard making cute growling noises in behind the scenes footage.
 
While I normally do chide Godzilla movies for their unnecessary human element, I’m actually alright with the cast in this one.  At the core are father/daughter duo Taizo and Yuri Tachibana.  Taizo is the Admiral leading the charge against Godzilla while Yuri is a reporter at first determined to make a name for herself but quickly becomes the only one who believes in the legend of Guardian Monsters and desperately tries to get the news about them out to the world before it’s too late.  Both have a great deal of courage (or stupidity depending on who you ask) and moxie.  Yuri braves the hellish landscape of a Kaiju war to show the world what’s going on while her father takes a more direct role against Godzilla himself.  Long version short, Taizo’s a bad ass and Yuri is both cute and a bad ass in her own right.
 
The only complaint I can think of in regards to GMK is while the visuals are stunning and appropriately hellish at points, the practical and CG effects aren’t married very well.  Some CG renders, especially the underwater fight scenes look too fake and some of the lighting makes the monster fights going on in the dark depths hard to see.  Some of the Kaiju CG work on Mothra and Ghidorah looks pretty good, especially Mothra coming out of her cocoon.  And like I said, the suit and model work still look really nice for a film that came out in 2001.  It’s just a shame the need for CG is so great because it takes away from an otherwise damn fine looking movie.  Also, maybe it’s just me but I’m too used to seeing Ghidorah as a bad guy to suddenly be 100% on board with him being a savior of humanity, that just doesn’t feel right.
 
Godzilla, Mothra & King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack is widely considered one of the best in the entire Godzilla franchise.  I’ll need to do a proper ranking as I go through the Millenium films this month but yeah, its certainly a strong entry that’s both fun and terrifying at the same time. The Kaiju throwdowns are as epic as they should be, Godzilla is back to being the antagonist once more and the Humans aren’t an annoying distraction for once.  You even get a nice little jab at the 1998 Godzilla with the JSDF doubting the monster that attacked New York was even the real Godzilla (HA!!!).  All in all, this is a great entry that is a must see for any Godzilla fan. The title may be long but it perfectly fits a knock out, drag out clash of the titans.
 
9/10
 
But is this the best of the Millenium Series already?  I’ll be trying to figure that out all month long. So check back Next Monday for the next chapter of the Godzilla Millenium Era with Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla right here at the Gundam Anime Corner.