All Monsters Attack

I'm was never a Godzilla fan until my son got involved. These movies have never meant anything to me until they began taking up so much of his life. He is just about to turn four, and nothing is going to make me happier than to give this to him for his 4th birthday! It will get him off my back!!!!

First off, I have to give this film a 7/10 not because I liked it, but because my youngest kids (4 and 6) loved it. You know the sort of movie that puts you to sleep but your kindergarten kids just soak right in? Films like Bionicles or HotWheels are better than a sedative, but this one isn't quite so bad thanks to the Godzilla footage and little side-stories the kids will ignore, but the adults will enjoy (admittedly not many of these, but at least they tried).

the most interesting of these side stories involves the boy's friend and neighbour, the typical mussy-haired scientist-tinkerer we find in most Godzilla films. In one scene worth the price of the movie (which I got on VHS at Giant Tiger for $4) our friendly neighbourhood scientist demonstrates his new invention, an integrated monitor and keyboard desktop computer. Keep in mind this is 1968/69, Xerox PARC was only just starting to toy with such ideas in a strictly-business domain, but here in Godzilla-land they are, as usual, decades ahead of the rest of us: IIRC, the boy recommends re-tooling the workstation ... so it will play not just one, but a variety of games! Toho invented the XBox! Back to the movie, it IS possible for older audiences to watch it, but you do need to suspend your belief just a bit more than the usual acceptance of 100-foot monsters.

So ... should a baby-gozilla be 4 feet high, blow smoke-rings and walk and talk? Absolutely. The key to watching this film is just as another reviewer noted, by keeping in mind that the entire film occurs inside the daydreams of a very young person. Given that, it all makes perfect sense, the plot, the dialog, the flashbacks and everything, and if you happen to actually BE a very young person, then it not only makes sense, but it enters your own life.

We were setting place-mats and pillows for Minya for months after they first watched this movie.

Minya fans will also be happy to know that the diminutive atomic monster returns as a principle character in the 2004 Final Wars, albeit with a non-speaking part :)

Okay, alot of people said this film was the worst ever made, but I disagree. I say the English version released by UPA did the film NO justice what-so-ever.

Here, let me give you all the run-down:

Sound Effects: US version- They sound very weird and almost muted out. And the sounds that Ichiro's voice actress keeps making does not go with what the child star is saying.

Sound Effects: Japanese version- Ah, now that I can hear better. I don't need to tune up the volume now!

Picture: US version- Pan and Scan.

Picture: Japanese version- Widescreen format. You get to see alot more on what's going on.

Music: US version- Probably one of the few descent things. The theme song is quite upbeat and quite unusual. However, the music may be good, but does it really sound like a Kaiju Eiga soundtrack though?

Music: Japanese Version- Some have thought of it being cutesy poo, but I liked it. Ichiro's actor's voice is soooooo cute! Fits the movie more.

And most importantly......

Minilla's voice: US version- GAAAAAAH! No, no, no, no, no! Is this what gave the Barney creator's their sinister idea? The voice actor gave Minilla-kun no justice!

Minilla's voice: Japanese version- Ahhhh, now that is BETTER! Sounds cuter and more child like. More fitting for Minilla. NOTE: The late Michiko Hirai, who voiced Sally Yumeno in an old school anime series called "Mahô tsukai Sally (aka. Witch girl Sally) did Minilla's voice in Japan.

Overall: Get the Japanese version. It is more pleasant.

This is my fave Godzilla movie. My second fave is the one this movie takes clips from "Son of Godzilla".

I like this movie because the story about little Ichiro is so sweet. I like how he learns lessons from Minya (baby Godzilla) about dealing with bullies. And the 'real life' danger the boy faces is both interesting and handled in a comical manner to appeal to children.

But overall, it appeals tob this adult just because it's a cute story, with good actors.

"Godzilla's Revenge" is a children's movie, no doubt about that. There's no "revenge" to it. The story revolves around a child in shorts (thankfully not named Kenny) who endures torment and abuse from his schoolmates. Since the idea of going postal hadn't been invented yet, Ichiro spends his afterschool hours dreaming of Monster Island and Godzilla's son Minya. Running on the same track in the direction of this plot are two bank robbers.

Much like "Casino Royale" was James Bond without Sean Connery, "Revenge" is Godzilla, sort of. One might look at it as a satire or spoof. It shows Godzilla; he fights and yells, but he isn't laying waste to anyplace in Japan, and *shudder* he's a dad. This is not the Godzilla I grew to love. That having been said, Godzilla does impart wisdom to his son Minya, and by extension to our movie's child.

The idea of fighting one's own battles is important, as well as having the courage to stand up for yourself and your convictions. The lessons taught by Godzilla (I can't believe I'm writing this) are ones needed by children, regardless of their circumstances. It's done in a way that is subtle and fun, yet effective.

On the adult level, however, I'm afraid that you're simply going to have to turn your brain off for this one. I could've sworn one of the bank robbers was Joe Pesci -- but I could be wrong. They are simply too buffoonish to be believed, but it is necessary to make them this way so that the ending can play out as it does. However, there is enough in them to make them more than two-dimensional (i.e., the one robber's drinking problem). It's "Home Alone" without Macauley Caulkin -- and that's a good thing.

Sterno says show "Godzilla's Revenge" to the children in your life.