Tags:
Film: Godzilla Raids Again (Gojira no gyakushû)
Year: 1955
Director: Motoyoshi Oda
Writer: Takeo Murata and Shigeaki Hidaka
Starring: Hiroshi Koizumi, Setsuko Wakayama and Minoru Chiaki
Review:
This sequel to the original was one that I never saw until seeking out a DVD back when I was living in Parma, Ohio. Growing up, I was a big fan of the versus kaiju films. It wasn’t until I got older and had the internet that I was able to piece together all these films. It was then I sought them out. I’m giving this watch as part of my Voyage through the FiVes.
Synopsis: scout pilots for a fishing company are startled to discover a second Godzilla, whose battle with rival monster Anguirus threatens to destroy Osaka.
We start by following the pilots from the synopsis. The first one we meet is Shoichi Tsukioka (Hiroshi Koizumi). He is friends with another pilot, Kôji Kobayashi (Minoru Chiaki). Their job is to find schools of fish to relay to their vessels. They report back to a radio room. It is there that Hidemi Yamaji (Setsuko Wakayama) works. She is seeing Tsukioka. Her father is also the owner of the company, Koehi (Yukio Kasama).
While these pilots are out, Kobayashi has engine troubles, causing him to land on an island. Hidemi relays to Tsukioka and the other pilots. Tsukioka is close and goes to help. He lands by the island and they see they’re not alone. Godzilla is there fighting a giant Ankylosaur that will be named Anguirus. Our two humans hide for the night.
Back safely to Japan, they inform a zoologist of what they saw. Dr. Tadokoro (Masao Shimizu) is that scientist and he’s joined in a conference room with the captain of the Osaka Defense Corps, Captain Terasawa (Seijirô Onda). Also, there is Tajima (Yoshio Tsuchiya) who is a member of the captain’s team along with the civil defense minister, who is played by Minosuke Yamada. The pilots go through pictures in a book to identify what they saw. Dr. Tadokoro explains about Ankylosaurus and how they are aggressive. A plan is then set up on how they will try to keep Godzilla and other kaiju from attacking Osaka.
They’re at a disadvantage. They do not have any more oxygen destroyers. The scientist who created it also passed away. It is known that Godzilla is attracted to lights, so they enforce a blackout. They also use flares to distract it to where they want it to go. Their plan is working well enough. An evacuation goes into effect. It hits a snag when a group of prisoners escape from their police escort. There are three that steal a truck. They try to outrun the police, but end up crashing in an oil refinery. This causes a major explosion and fire, which attracts Godzilla. Anguirus also attacks. Osaka becomes their battleground as the people watch on, hoping to find a way to get them away from civilization before it is too late.
That is where I’ll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I want to start is that this is a solid follow up to the original Gojira. They take the easy route here to explain why we have another Godzilla. I’d also say that it would make sense then for sequels to follow. It also feels like it might be taking a page from The Lost World concept with a modern twist, blaming the United States for the use of the atomic bomb. This isn’t as scathing as the original, but the sentiments are still there.
Let’s then delve more into what we’re getting here. We have a solid enough set up. I love this idea of a fishing company using airplanes to look for schools of fish. This also works for things that happen later to defeat the kaiju. Something that I wonder, Kobayashi doesn’t have engine issues. Do Godzilla and Anguirus come to Osaka? I believe they do but this was a fun way to introduce them and allow the human characters to prepare their defenses in case they do. There is just a convenience factor.
Then before moving away from the story, I did want to comment on social commentary here. I’ve already brought up that the Japanese are bitter at the United States. This came out immediately after Gojira so I’m not shocked that this feeling is still there. What is more prevalent is the idea that no matter what hits these people, they rebuild and fight back. There is a nationalism that is inspiring. I did want to comment on that.
Shifting then over to what everyone comes to watch these movies about, the kaiju action. This takes me into filmmaking. Now I grew up watching the guys in suits and destroying the miniature cities. Does it look completely real? No, but there is charm to it. It looks better to me than using CGI. Watching this on a 4K TV even, if it was a DVD, does reveal seams of the effects. I still think that the cinematography, framing and practical effects are good. The soundtrack isn’t as strong here as the original, but still good. The sound effects are as well.
All that is left then is the acting performances. Koizumi is good as our lead. Not only does he have a good look, but works as our hero. Wakayama is fine as his love interest. She helps build that worry about him. I do wish she would be fleshed out more, but I get why. Chiaki is solid as a supporting character to the lead. He also helps build Tsukioka as a hero. The rest of the human characters work for what was needed in rounding this out. Also, credit to Haruo Nakajima and Katsumi Tezuka as the actors instead of the kaiju suits. They’re the real stars here.
In conclusion, this is a film that has historical significance being the first time that Godzilla fights another kaiju. It was rushed due to the success of the previous film. That doesn’t mean this isn’t good as well. I thought the human story of persevering and building back up is good. The giant monster fight is solid. I love the practical approach there. The rest of the filmmaking is good with the cinematography and framing leading the way. The soundtrack isn’t as strong. Sound design is good though. This is a step back but one I’d still recommend if you like this subgenre.
My Rating: 7 out of 10