Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
- Gigantis
- Sazer
- Posts: 10546
- Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2018 12:52 pm
- Location: Nebula of the Orion
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
I think this movies alright, but it is one of the lesser of the series. The enviromental message is really forced into the cranium and Mothra's fluffy design is honestly kinda distracting. Not to mention Godzilla has literally no reason to even be in this movie!
On the other hand, the effects are nice, the Cosmos are enjoyable and Battra is just edgy all over! But in a good way.
On the other hand, the effects are nice, the Cosmos are enjoyable and Battra is just edgy all over! But in a good way.
A guy who randomly stumbled upon this place one day, invested much too much time into it, and now appears to be stuck here for all eternity..and strangely enough, i do not regret it!
-
- G-Grasper
- Posts: 1223
- Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 6:16 pm
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
The Indiana Jones references aren't a surprise as there is a history of American cinema influencing these films. James Bond clearly had an influence on Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster, War of the Worlds clearly was an inspiration for The Mysterians, and just the year before this entry, Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah obviously took inspiration from Terminator.
White Male Genocide is necessary.
Kill all white men.
Kill all white men.
- Spuro
- Keizer
- Posts: 9545
- Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:34 pm
- Location: Monster Island
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
Not to mention a certain 1953 Ray Harryhausen movie...GojiDog wrote:The Indiana Jones references aren't a surprise as there is a history of American cinema influencing these films. James Bond clearly had an influence on Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster, War of the Worlds clearly was an inspiration for The Mysterians, and just the year before this entry, Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah obviously took inspiration from Terminator.
eabaker wrote: You can't parse duende.
Breakdown wrote: HP Lovecraft's cat should be the ultimate villain of the MonsterVerse.
- Terasawa
- Xilien Halfling
- Posts: 5841
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:06 am
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
I agree with you but I think the difference is that those references became much more overt in the Heisei era.GojiDog wrote:The Indiana Jones references aren't a surprise as there is a history of American cinema influencing these films. James Bond clearly had an influence on Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster, War of the Worlds clearly was an inspiration for The Mysterians, and just the year before this entry, Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah obviously took inspiration from Terminator.
寺沢. He/him/his, etc.
- A list of known Toho export dubs (a colossal, perpetual work in progress)
- Kaiju and Tokusatsu Movies on The Sci-Fi Channel (1992 - 2010)
-
- G-Grasper
- Posts: 1223
- Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 6:16 pm
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
That's true, and the Indy stuff in GVM is alot more obvious than most of the others, probably the most obvious.Terasawa wrote:I agree with you but I think the difference is that those references became much more overt in the Heisei era.GojiDog wrote:The Indiana Jones references aren't a surprise as there is a history of American cinema influencing these films. James Bond clearly had an influence on Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster, War of the Worlds clearly was an inspiration for The Mysterians, and just the year before this entry, Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah obviously took inspiration from Terminator.
White Male Genocide is necessary.
Kill all white men.
Kill all white men.
- Terasawa
- Xilien Halfling
- Posts: 5841
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:06 am
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
Probably, yeah. But it's also pretty innocuous. There are two blatant Indiana Jones "homages" in Godzilla vs. Mothra: the opening temple sequence and the suspension bridge's collapse. Both happen relatively early in the film and have very little effect on the narrative. Takuya, as a character, isn't all that much like the Indiana Jones character.GojiDog wrote:That's true, and the Indy stuff in GVM is alot more obvious than most of the others, probably the most obvious.Terasawa wrote:I agree with you but I think the difference is that those references became much more overt in the Heisei era.GojiDog wrote:The Indiana Jones references aren't a surprise as there is a history of American cinema influencing these films. James Bond clearly had an influence on Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster, War of the Worlds clearly was an inspiration for The Mysterians, and just the year before this entry, Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah obviously took inspiration from Terminator.
寺沢. He/him/his, etc.
- A list of known Toho export dubs (a colossal, perpetual work in progress)
- Kaiju and Tokusatsu Movies on The Sci-Fi Channel (1992 - 2010)
- SuperPawnageGigan
- G-Force Personnel
- Posts: 645
- Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2017 1:20 pm
- Location: Xiliens Lair
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
The made mothra fluffy and cute. I like it but the prop is stiff.
8-BIT MADNESS
2 Friends having a good time.
2 Friends having a good time.
- ReiwaGodzilla
- Interpol Agent
- Posts: 520
- Joined: Sat Nov 30, 2019 2:38 pm
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
Is this Mothra the most popular Mothra design out there? If so, the choices behind the design must have worked pretty well commercially.SuperPawnageGigan wrote:The made mothra fluffy and cute. I like it but the prop is stiff.
When those fleeting lives destined to die, forget their humbleness and sing praises of their glory, such will shake the very heavens and split the earth, and they shall know the wrath of the divine. The inevitable incarnation of destruction. So, you show yourself at last. Since we last saw each other, it has been 20 years for us and 20,000 years for you. It's been a while... Oh, King of Destruction.
-
- Sazer
- Posts: 12648
- Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2014 10:49 pm
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
Personally I think the fight between Battra's caterpillar form and Godzilla is one of the best fights. Once we go underwater it's a nice mix of both tooth & claw and energy attacks. Godzilla picking up up Battra by the tail and slamming him into an underwater volcano accidentally causing an eruption where they both get swallowed under the crust is so epic (in both sense of the word) it's burned into my mind.Gothicserpent wrote:The more I think about it, the final battle might be one of the best fights in the franchise.
For all it's faults, this movie had one of the best fights that wasn't purely just a beam spam match.
Added in 2 minutes 35 seconds:
Yeah as a kid I didn't really notice but as an adult, it's kind of embarrassing to realize the Showa versions were so much more life like in their movement, it's like what happened in the 90s? Thank god the Millennium series didn't have this problem, moves life like in those films.ReiwaGodzilla wrote:Is this Mothra the most popular Mothra design out there? If so, the choices behind the design must have worked pretty well commercially.SuperPawnageGigan wrote:The made mothra fluffy and cute. I like it but the prop is stiff.
- Voyager
- Keizer
- Posts: 7983
- Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 12:34 pm
- Location: On a boat
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
I just watched the film for the first time in full, and I was surprised it wasn’t garbage like SpaceG. I liked Godzilla in this film and despite being nearly lifeless, Mothra Imago was pretty good too.
For Emperor and Empire!
- LSD Jellyfish
- Administrator
- Posts: 14553
- Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:57 pm
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
I coincidentally just watched this too. I like all the destruction scenes for the most part, but damn I think this is when the Heisei series shits the bed and gets bad. The film wants to be too many things, and has no idea how to balance it, little of it ties together and makes sense. If protecting the earth is an issue, why is the catalyst an outside source like a meteor? Why does Battra randomly not like and seek out to kill Godzilla? How does Godzilla tie in to or relate to Mt. Fuji? Mothra and Battra start out strong but both their secondary forms get quickly rushed and have little development. The fight is boring, minus the final part where Mothra and Battra begin to spam Godzilla and lift him up.
I like some of the things with the cast, including the divorced parents, and the company relations, but damn, does all of that get forgotten and thrown out the window the instant Godzilla comes from out of Mt. Fuji. The other films give good to great reasons for Godzilla being there, but damn...
-In Godzilla vs. Biollante, Biollante is a clone of Godzilla, and half the film is about Godzilla's return and preparing for it. The Super X2 and ANEB also tie directly into Godzilla
-In Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, the aliens have a strong connection to Godzilla as tricking the humans is a way to gain power, trust and make a new weapon, plus Terasawa and Shindo have deep personal ties to Godzilla.
-In GVMG2, there's baby Godzilla, and MG is a machine designed to get rid of Godzilla.
-SG has SG, a clone
-Destroyah is a bit clunky, but a good chunk of the film revolves around Godzilla melting down, prepping for it, using Destroyah to kill Godzilla and Godzilla Junior.
In this, Godzilla feels horribly out of place in his own movie.
The final fight is excessive. Sure the fights in the previous fights may be shorter, but they have a lot more going on, and motivation between Godzilla and the monster they are fighting.
I like some of the things with the cast, including the divorced parents, and the company relations, but damn, does all of that get forgotten and thrown out the window the instant Godzilla comes from out of Mt. Fuji. The other films give good to great reasons for Godzilla being there, but damn...
-In Godzilla vs. Biollante, Biollante is a clone of Godzilla, and half the film is about Godzilla's return and preparing for it. The Super X2 and ANEB also tie directly into Godzilla
-In Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, the aliens have a strong connection to Godzilla as tricking the humans is a way to gain power, trust and make a new weapon, plus Terasawa and Shindo have deep personal ties to Godzilla.
-In GVMG2, there's baby Godzilla, and MG is a machine designed to get rid of Godzilla.
-SG has SG, a clone
-Destroyah is a bit clunky, but a good chunk of the film revolves around Godzilla melting down, prepping for it, using Destroyah to kill Godzilla and Godzilla Junior.
In this, Godzilla feels horribly out of place in his own movie.
The final fight is excessive. Sure the fights in the previous fights may be shorter, but they have a lot more going on, and motivation between Godzilla and the monster they are fighting.
Last edited by LSD Jellyfish on Sun May 24, 2020 4:14 am, edited 2 times in total.
- HedorahIsBestGirl
- Gotengo Officer
- Posts: 1821
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2019 10:17 am
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
I think this is the Godzilla film I've gone the longest without watching; it's between this and Raids Again. I need to rewatch them both...LSD Jellyfish wrote:I coincidentally just watched this too.
I think because Battra is the protector of the Earth and Godzilla, being a living source of radioactive waste, is a threat to the planet just like humanity is.LSD Jellyfish wrote:Why does Battra randomly not like and seek out to kill Godzilla?
Battra decking Godzilla with the ferris wheel is cool though.LSD Jellyfish wrote:The fight is boring, minus the final part where Mothra and Battra begin to spam Godzilla and lift him up.
Let's be honest, this is a Mothra movie with Godzilla co-starring to sell tickets. Pretty sure she gets twice as much screentime. Hell, even Battra probably gets more.LSD Jellyfish wrote:In this, Godzilla feels horribly out of place in his own movie.
Meh, the first fight in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah is pretty weak in my opinion. The MKG and Biollante fights are better, though.LSD Jellyfish wrote:The final fight is excessive. Sure the fights in the previous fights may be shorter, but they have a lot more going on, and motivation between Godzilla and the monster they are fighting.
The wisest words ever spoken on TK: "When I Saw The Showa Movie's white My Friend's They seid WTF is This Your showing Me to Men Fighting In suit's they found At party city Butt when I Showed Them The Heisei film's they thoght They where pritty fun To Watch"
and were never really friends.
is best girl, is best boy
and were never really friends.
is best girl, is best boy
- LSD Jellyfish
- Administrator
- Posts: 14553
- Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:57 pm
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
^I did like the Ferris wheel drop.
I don't think the film makes enough of a connection to connect Godzilla to atomic waste as a way to make parallels to Battra. At the same time, Godzilla emerges from Mt. Fuji, which can begin to erupt at any time (that's not something I don't fear constantly considering I can see it from my apartment...) And yeah, the film is better if viewed as a Mothra movie. I would say it's better than pretty much all of the Rebirth of Mothra films.
One thing that's interesting is the "Twelve Machines". The cosmos mention that there were "twelve machines" that humanity used, either to control nature, or something else. It's part of the reason why Battra showed up. I wonder if it was just throwaway dialogue or if that was meant to hint at something. Pretty cool.
Also, I normally don't like doing this, but the comic adaptation does something better. I'll post this at some other time, but some minor differences is how Battra evolves. In the manga, there's a car chase scene to rescue the Cosmos, and it leads to the discovery of Battra's corpse. Turns out Battra's adult form burst out of the back of the larva like a cicada. I really do think the way Battra transformed so suddenly was super lazy in the movie.
I don't think the film makes enough of a connection to connect Godzilla to atomic waste as a way to make parallels to Battra. At the same time, Godzilla emerges from Mt. Fuji, which can begin to erupt at any time (that's not something I don't fear constantly considering I can see it from my apartment...) And yeah, the film is better if viewed as a Mothra movie. I would say it's better than pretty much all of the Rebirth of Mothra films.
One thing that's interesting is the "Twelve Machines". The cosmos mention that there were "twelve machines" that humanity used, either to control nature, or something else. It's part of the reason why Battra showed up. I wonder if it was just throwaway dialogue or if that was meant to hint at something. Pretty cool.
Also, I normally don't like doing this, but the comic adaptation does something better. I'll post this at some other time, but some minor differences is how Battra evolves. In the manga, there's a car chase scene to rescue the Cosmos, and it leads to the discovery of Battra's corpse. Turns out Battra's adult form burst out of the back of the larva like a cicada. I really do think the way Battra transformed so suddenly was super lazy in the movie.
Last edited by LSD Jellyfish on Mon May 25, 2020 4:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Terasawa
- Xilien Halfling
- Posts: 5841
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:06 am
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
This really isn’t the thread for this discussion but... really? IMO the title match in GvKG is terrific and superior to the “two monsters stand on opposite sides of the same set and exchange lasers” MKG fight. In that same regard it’s superior to the two Biollante fights, although those are great anyway. Godzilla starts screen right, later attacks from screen left, and then finishes the fight from screen right again. It’s simple, but it aids the impression that Godzilla covers a lot of ground in the battle. The countryside location is also one of Kawakita’s best such natural sets; for example, compare it to his later MGII set, which looks far less expansive.HedorahIsBestGirl wrote:Meh, the first fight in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah is pretty weak in my opinion. The MKG and Biollante fights are better, though.LSD Jellyfish wrote:The final fight is excessive. Sure the fights in the previous fights may be shorter, but they have a lot more going on, and motivation between Godzilla and the monster they are fighting.
His crew also gives us some fantastic money shots, beginning with Ghidorah approaching Godzilla, as seen from behind the latter, and ending with Godzilla’s decapitation of Ghidorah. And while both monsters exchange their rays (which had never looked better at this point), they also exchange a lot of body blows. Godzilla lifting and slamming KG into the ground by his tail isn’t particularly realistic but it’s a nice callback to the ‘70s, when it was one of Godzilla’s signature fighting moves.
There’s also a lot going on in the story at the same time, making the requisite breaks in monster action all the more significant. The movie doesn’t stall during these scenes because the action is still fast paced and engaging. The battles in GvB and later in this film, against MKG, are instead intercut with reaction shots from the cast.
The one element of the MKG fight that’s arguably better, IMO, is the huge Shinjuku set. But I don’t think the filmmakers really take advantage of it: as tall as the buildings are, the monsters never advance or retreat, so all the action takes place within the same few city blocks.
寺沢. He/him/his, etc.
- A list of known Toho export dubs (a colossal, perpetual work in progress)
- Kaiju and Tokusatsu Movies on The Sci-Fi Channel (1992 - 2010)
- GodzillavsRayquaza
- Site Staff
- Posts: 6333
- Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:39 pm
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
I actually like this movie. It’s not great, definitely one of the weakest Godzilla movies ever, but I had fun watching it. Human characters could have needed a good bit more fleshing out, but they weren’t bad. They were a bit flat (not one dimensional, but the movie definitely could have afforded to give them more time to breathe), but weren’t annoying or anything. Plot moves along briskly, doesn’t wander too long on anything unneeded. Larval Battra’s rampage was cool, and so was his fight with Godzilla. The final battle might be the least entertaining fight in a Godzilla movie, just goes on too long without a lot happening, needed trimming. The effects are good except for the flying, that definitely drags the final battle down as well.
I just feel like a lot of fans act like this movie did a drive-by on them while running over their pets, when I just found it inoffensive and alright.
I just feel like a lot of fans act like this movie did a drive-by on them while running over their pets, when I just found it inoffensive and alright.
KWC Co-Operations Manager
KWCE Administrator
KWCE Administrator
ShinGojira14 wrote: Neither. Hideki Anno wins because he writes a hilarious comedic satire movie where Shin and Legendary have to team up to destroy a grotesque crap-monster created by the constant toxic bickering of Shin fans and Legendary fans.
SoggyNoodles2016 wrote: Yup, my dad works at Legendary, the Nebulans are gonna be in the next movie and they're gonna get beat because Madison throws coffee in the leaders face.
- Terasawa
- Xilien Halfling
- Posts: 5841
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:06 am
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
I like it too, but how is it "definitely one of the weakest Godzilla movies ever"? It has some flaws, namely Omori's screenplay (and Kawakita's very inconsistent special effects have to be mentioned), but on a technical level I think the rest of the film is just a bit below average for the series. The (drama unit) cinematography and music are both really strong elements here. The characterization is very weak (attribute this to the crappy screenplay) but that doesn't stop the trio of Tetsuya Bessho, Satomi Kobayashi, and Takehiro Murata from doing the best they can with their roles.
寺沢. He/him/his, etc.
- A list of known Toho export dubs (a colossal, perpetual work in progress)
- Kaiju and Tokusatsu Movies on The Sci-Fi Channel (1992 - 2010)
- GodzillavsRayquaza
- Site Staff
- Posts: 6333
- Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:39 pm
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
The actors try of course, but the negatives just weigh it all down for me. I think with more time and effort spent on things such as writing and effects, it would have been one of the best of the 90s movies, but as it stands the wasted potential is just too hard to ignore for me.
KWC Co-Operations Manager
KWCE Administrator
KWCE Administrator
ShinGojira14 wrote: Neither. Hideki Anno wins because he writes a hilarious comedic satire movie where Shin and Legendary have to team up to destroy a grotesque crap-monster created by the constant toxic bickering of Shin fans and Legendary fans.
SoggyNoodles2016 wrote: Yup, my dad works at Legendary, the Nebulans are gonna be in the next movie and they're gonna get beat because Madison throws coffee in the leaders face.
-
- Yojimbo
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:55 am
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
One thing that stands out in GvM'92 is the AWFUL performance by the actor who plays the silver haired politician Tabashi. In GvKingGhidorah, he's fine, but here, at every possible mention of evironmential disasters, he's doing the most cornball melodramatics, including tugging at his neck whilst bulging his eyes out.
It's not good acting, but lord is it funny!
It's not good acting, but lord is it funny!
-
- Keizer
- Posts: 8608
- Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2010 1:25 pm
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
I feel the same. It's lacking in overall quality, but has a few small successes.GodzillavsRayquaza wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 11:34 am
I just feel like a lot of fans act like this movie did a drive-by on them while running over their pets, when I just found it inoffensive and alright.
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made.
The strength of the vampire is that people will not believe in him.
The strength of the vampire is that people will not believe in him.
- eabaker
- Administrator
- Posts: 13758
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:16 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Talkback Thread #19: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
The character's name is Dobashi, and the actor is Akiji Kobayashi.The Killer Meteor wrote: ↑Fri Dec 11, 2020 2:08 pm One thing that stands out in GvM'92 is the AWFUL performance by the actor who plays the silver haired politician Tabashi.
Tokyo, a smoldering memorial to the unknown, an unknown which at this very moment still prevails and could at any time lash out with its terrible destruction anywhere else in the world.