Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000)
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus is an old-school Godzilla movie …. And I mean that in the best way possible. It’s not a social commentary or serious film like the original Godzilla movie. It’s the best kind of two monster face-off Godzilla movie that I grew up watching. Godzilla is portrayed here as a destructive force of nature. One that has caused incalculable destruction and loss of life to the people in Japan. In fact, two of the main characters are very strong women, one younger and one older. Both of them have lost people close to them during Godzilla’s rampages. Accordingly, the Japanese government has undertaken a high-tech project, to get rid of Godzilla once and for all. Dimension Tide, an attempt at creating a controlled, minute black hole to imprison Godzilla inside forever.
However, things don’t always work as expected. Their first test of the Dimension Tide has an unexpected consequence, mutating/releasing a prehistoric insect. The Megaguirus of the title. It soon leads to the flooding of parts of Tokyo …. With the insect’s larvae looking for food … Including later on, where they mutant dragonflies swarm over Godzilla himself. They bit him and drain some of his radioactive energy. In turn, they feed it to the “queen” of the insects. The battle between Godzilla and the queen, Megaguirus, is truly epic. It’s one of the best Godzilla fight scenes ever filmed.
In short, I truly enjoyed Godzilla vs. Megaguirus, and I hope you do as well.
Trivia for Godzilla vs. Megaguirus
- Some of the footage from the original Gojira (1954) was recreated. Since Godzilla’s appearance has changed from the original version.
- The infamous “Giant Leap” Godzilla performs against Megaguirus during the final battle is a tribute to Godzilla suit actor Tsutomu Kitagawa‘s stuntwork in Toei’s Super Sentai Series.
- Toho continued their tradition of casting actors from their science fiction films of the 1950s and 1960s. The character of Yoshino Yoshizawa is played by Yuriko Hoshi who had previously starred as Yoka in Gojira tai Mosura (1964). Also as Naoko (a completely different character) in the sequel San daikaiju: Chikyu saidai no kessen (1964).
- Although they do not look alike, the Meganuron (a.k.a Meganulon) in this movie is based on the Meganurons that attack the villagers in the Toho monster movie classic, Rodan (1956).