An "End of Days" sort epic from Japan's Toho studios, bring together Godzilla's founding father-team of Tanaka, Honda, and Tsuburaya to work on this film, minus a musical score by Akira Ifukube. Another good story-line, where a meteor is on its course to Earth and is predicted to destroy the entire planet completely. Therefore, it's up to the Japanese eggheads to dodge the flying fireball. As always, Toho sci-fi films are very imaginative, but this one takes the cake: move the Earth with huge rockets to dodge the meteor, with the Moon being destroyed in the process. Very far-fetched, but yet, pure sci-fi action.
Veteran actresses Kumi Mizuno and Yumi Shirakawa shine. Akira Kubo, known for his type-casted hero portrayals, is very annoying in this film though. Aside from that, an average film that could have used more monster scenes and action, instead of the usual scientist concoctions to save the world. I have got to say that even though Takeshi Kimura, known for his more somber stories, wrote the screenplay, there are a few funny scenes, including the part where Shirakawa's character bangs the door on her brother's head after he was caught eavesdropping on a meeting with the lead scientist.
If you choose to watch this film, I recommend watching the original Japanese version, as the American version cuts out scenes that include Magma, the gigantic walrus.
Grade C+
