Talkback Thread #2: Godzilla Raids Again (1955)

[Kaiser]

What is it about the awkward speed up motion of the fight that so many people like? I just can't wrap my head around it. I don't see any of the ferocity people claim the fight exhibits, the fight just looks strange and feels like it should have yakety sax playing in the background.

[Space Hunter M]

But I'd like to talk more about the Godzilla vs Anguirus fight. In my opinion no other Godzilla battle has even come CLOSE to the sheer brutality and realism that this clash brings. I think the sped up footage actually helps with the feeling of viciousness.

Puppet Gigantis and Angurus on a sugar overdose = BRUTAL

The best part is easily the destruction of the castle.

[Gothicserpent]

I think it's a decent film.

But I'd like to talk more about the Godzilla vs Anguirus fight. In my opinion no other Godzilla battle has even come CLOSE to the sheer brutality and realism that this clash brings.

*cough* Godzilla 2014 *cough*

The final battle of the new Godzilla was animalistic and brutal, but I don't think it had the sheer terror of the Godzilla vs Anguirus fight.

But I'd like to talk more about the Godzilla vs Anguirus fight. In my opinion no other Godzilla battle has even come CLOSE to the sheer brutality and realism that this clash brings. I think the sped up footage actually helps with the feeling of viciousness.

Puppet Gigantis and Angurus on a sugar overdose = BRUTAL

The best part is easily the destruction of the castle.

I will admit the puppets can be distracting and goofy ant times, but I really think the fast paced movement emphasizes the tooth and claw fighting.

[he-ba]

I wish it wasn't balack and white for the reason to see the blood. If you look closely, whenever the puppets are on screen, there is blood everywhere. It would be a nice touch if there was a colored version

[three]

finally, finally got to see this movie in japanese without distractions. it's no wonder at all that it's one of my all time favorites. i can give a more detailed and layered review if you guys would like here, but for now i'll say that i have done a full 180 on the suits, and this poor movie suffers from being smack dab on the front lines of the greatest run of critically awesome films in the history of the franchise. truly underrated.

[Gojora]

I wish it wasn't black and white for the reason to see the blood. If you look closely, whenever the puppets are on screen, there is blood everywhere. It would be a nice touch if there was a colored version

If it was it'll be red.
Also fixed.

[Cookson]

Gonna sound crazy, but this suit is probably my favorite from the Showa era. Its a strange suit, but I love it! Need to give the film another watch sometime, but I remember it being quite underrated.

Even getting the X-plus vinyl figure since I love the suit so much.

[skuzzy-punk-kid]

I wish it wasn't balack and white for the reason to see the blood. If you look closely, whenever the puppets are on screen, there is blood everywhere. It would be a nice touch if there was a colored version

Imagine if the movie remained black and white, but the blood was colored...

Is that too Frank Miller-esque?

[AllPowersCombined]

Such an underrated movie. My God. I don't find it boring at all. Weak compared to the original? Yeah, well nothing weird about that. But it's a good movie nevertheless. Awkwardly put between the beloved classic from 1954 and the colorful era of the 60s no wonder it's often overlooked.

I'm also a fan of the animalistic, brutal fighting. Also because it's only present in this movie. I understand that if it were used in more pictures it'd be a problem. Osaka is only a playground for the monsters. I love how they don't even care. They're so preoccupied with each other. The musics fits the tone as well. Especially the fragment where they stop fighting for a moment and Anguirus moves his head a bit for some reason. I don't know but I always remember that moment.

[Space Hunter M]

Awkwardly put between the beloved classic from 1954 and the colorful era of the 60s no wonder it's often overlooked.

Pretty much. This film's still fairly interesting once in a while for having the distinction of being "the sequel". With so many other films attempting to follow up on the first movie, just in the back of my head, I almost "forget" it even exists sometimes.

[AllPowersCombined]

By the way, is there a photo of Motoyoshi Oda?

[edgaguirus]

I wish it wasn't balack and white for the reason to see the blood. If you look closely, whenever the puppets are on screen, there is blood everywhere. It would be a nice touch if there was a colored version

I think this film looks better in black and white. I feel it suits the lighting and the suits better.

[Mr. Xeno]

Haven't seen this movie in a while, but I remember honestly really liking it. Can't really say why personally, other than it just simply worked (for me). Considering how the entire thing was conceived, shot, edited, and released in less than 6 months, it's remarkably watchable.

[daveblackeye15]

Hm I'm kind of neutral towards Raids Again but this thread is making me want to re-watch both version again. I mean I'm a huge Anguirus fan and I do appreciate the horror elements and I kind of like the undercrank. It's just such a weird film where the other monster is killed/maimed around the middle and isn't part of the big finale.

I guess that's one thing Kingdom of Monsters did right was re-capture the helplessness of Godzilla and Angurius fighting through a city, more of a horror event than a fun monster fight.

I think one of my earlier tvtropes additions was adding the classic line 'aaah banana oil' to the Raids Again page.

[kamilleblu]

Considering how the entire thing was conceived, shot, edited, and released in less than 6 months, it's remarkably watchable.

Having been produced under those circumstances, the film turned out fairly well. It's not really a bad film, just too average for its own good. There isn't much to make it stand out compared to its competition. So it's understandable that it is often times forgotten.

[edgaguirus]

I wouldn't say forgotten. Underrated, yes, but not forgotten.

[daveblackeye15]

Been spending the day with it and since I don't re-watch it as often as Biollante or Monster Zero it seems it takes me longer to appreciate more things about it. Even though a few years ago the commentary pointed out how many special effects they had to do in just six weeks. I love the Godzilla experts they got for the Classic Media DVDs, the guy who did Godzilla's Revenge was hilarious and pretty thought provoking while Steve Ryfle's dry wit strangely matches the film.

I've always liked the introduction to Godzilla and Anguirus, we see much of their fight between two mountains and only get a brief clear shot. While I think Angurius needed some kind of distinct opening scene, he pops up earlier because he's hunting Godzilla, this does kind of give the impression of two average joes getting caught up in a monster rivalry one day.

[Godzillian]

One thing I love about the film is how much personality they put into Godzilla.

[three]

i saw a post in the GTTHM thread about weaving the story well into the movie; this movie does the same thing at least as well. the tragedy of being sent out to take down Godzilla while all the poor guy wants to do is settle down is really tightly wrapped like a bow on a gift around the movie.

the fact that their success rate is so low makes it that much more powerful. it's like a going to war story. i think you can easily make a metaphor out of this movie for japan's struggle against outside powers from the micro level, or soldier and countryman, pov better than any other movie in the franchise. what makes it even more special is that it wasn't even trying to be that profound.

[Beef Bigshot]

I wouldn't say forgotten. Underrated, yes, but not forgotten.

Agreed. Why I love this movie is because it has so many good scenes. When Godzilla and anguirus are first revealed, when they arrive at the docks,the flare scenes, Godzilla killing anguirus (pretty chilling for his first kill ever), and finally Godzilla fighting the planes as chunks of ice drop on him.

A lot of great scenes that I think people disregard because of backward dialogue or the general consensus that, " ER DIS FILM SUCKS"