A step-down from it's predecessor, but enjoyable

tyrantlizardthad

Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla is a quite controversial film in the franchise, with some loving it and some hating it. And while I don't hate it, I unfortunately find it to be a step down from it's predecessors and is more of a mixed bag. The story seems like it would be a simple Godzilla vs. an evil monster story, but is instead riddled with pointless subplots that not only drag the film out but distract it from exploring much more interesting aspects, such as developing Godzilla's relationship with his son and focusing the story more on SpaceGodzilla himself rather then throwing in a bunch of Project T, Mafia, and forced love story stuff that ultimately leads to nowhere and doesn't effect the main plot of the film or the next film in any way. If the film had removed those pointless subplots and instead devoted more time to giving Godzilla and LittleGodzilla more screentime together, it would've been more focused and emotionally investing like Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II and Godzilla vs. Destoroyah. One particular deleted scene that would've helped save this movie from mediocrity is Godzilla trying to free his son from his crystal prison: seeing this would've not only showed the audience how much Godzilla cares about his son, but it would've shown the characters too. Speaking of the characters, there are some good one's but some not so much. By far the best character is Akira Yuki, a soldier who has dedicated his life to trying to kill Godzilla as revenge for losing his friend, Colonel Goro Gondo from Godzilla vs. Biollante in the aforementioned film. Throughout the film, he regains his humanity through his connection with Goro's sister, Chinatsu Gondo, who has romantic feelings for him. This film definitely would've been stronger had it focused on these two characters more then the bland G-Force soldiers Koji and Kiyo that have nothing too them and the forced romance between Koji and Miki. Miki, due to going to Godzilla's side in the last film, spends the film concerned for Godzilla and LittleGodzilla's life, but, despite this making sense, becomes a bit too obnoxious while doing so, even saying that all men are the same and only think about fighting. One of this film's strengths, though, is the monsters. SpaceGodzilla looks fantastic and menacing, Godzilla still looks great, Moguera's design is very much improved from his original design in The Mysterians, and LittleGodzilla, while not quite as good as BabyGodzilla and Godzilla Junior, is adorable and sympathetic. After his character ark in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Godzilla is actually the protagonist for the first time in the Heisei series, which is welcome. In fact, I kind of wish that there was more films between Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II and Godzilla vs. Destoroyah to show off Godzilla being more of an anti-hero and to develop his relationship with his son more. SpaceGodzilla, on the otherhand, represents all of the hatred and rage Godzilla once had in him: he is a creature full of rage and hatred and no sympathy. Moguera is a lifeless robot like Mechagodzilla but once again, the monsters are given so much personality that it doesn't disappoint. LittleGodzilla really hasn't changed in terms of personality since he was BabyGodzilla in the previous film, still being an innocent baby that now has grown to care for his adoptive father, Godzilla. The special effects in this film, while there are some quite impressive sequences, there are some embarrassing ones too, like the space battle, though the positive outweighs the negative. The fight choreography is not as good as previous Heisei films either, with not nearly as much physical fighting as them, but the final battle is still engaging and the first battle on Birth Island is solid. Finally, since Akira Ifukube refused to do the soundtrack for this film, Takayuki Hattori did this score this time around, and while not as good as Ifukube, he still delivers a memorable, catchy, and sometimes beautiful score. Overall, while not as solid as the previous Heisei films, Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla is still enjoyable. It doesn't reach it's potential, but for what it is it's still a decent entry in the franchise.

score 4/10

tyrantlizardthad 8 January 2019

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw4568632/