With this film, I think Toho Studios focused more on the human characters and subplot. Major Yuki and Dr. Gondo's relationship take center stage, as do Miki Saegusa and Shinjo. Yuki wanted to avenge Godzilla for his friend Goro Gondo (from 1989's Godzilla vs. Biollante). Therefore, he has a personal vendetta against the monster, who battles SpaceGodzilla to save his son. Miki was instructed to use her powers to control Godzilla, hopefully, lessening his attacks on Japan.
This movie marked Godzilla's 40th anniversary and is the only Heisei film that introduced a creature from space-SpaceGodzilla, a creep of a monster when he attacked the innocent LittleGodzilla on Bass Island. BabyGodzilla (from 1993's Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II) grew into Little Godzilla. Moguera was a new tin-can weapon made by G-Force to defeat Godzilla. It is said to be better improved than Mechagodzilla. But, he had no effect on Godzilla and lost two battles with SpaceGodzilla. The first battle sequence between Moguera and SpaceGodzilla shows them in space, which gave us a very bad special effect of big, white plastic chunks of rocks. Also, the battle sequences of Godzilla and SpaceGodzilla were mainly rays zapping against each other. The Japanese Mafia looks more like businessmen in suits and they were not emphasized enough in the movie. Akira Ifukube didn't even return to score this movie. Toho even had a new director and writer for this film, giving the story to a new crew. The final battle, consisting of Godzilla, SpaceGodzilla and Moguera was more focused on Moguera. However, the movie plot flowed fairly well, with some good and solid acting. I loved how Miki's psychic powers were enhanced in this film, i.e., she used telekinesis to levitate a bed she was strapped down to, open a trapped door and dislodge a transmitter from Godzilla's neck. She even used her powers to communicate with Shinjo. As Shinjo says "see you again one day" and Sato saying "Godzilla! I still have something to settle with you" to Godzilla made it seem that the monster is beginning to garner the audience's sympathy.
As you watch closely, this film features more monsters than any other film in the Heisei Series-Godzilla, SpaceGodzilla, LittleGodzilla, Moguera, Mothra, and Fairy Mothra.
Overall, not a bad film. There are better Godzilla movies than this one, but if you're a G- Fan, add this movie to your collection by all means.
Grade B-
