Made ten or so years after the original Godzilla movie, you can tell that by the time "Godzilla vs. Monster Zero" was made, the series had drifted into self-parody. Nonetheless it's still fun to watch.
The premise of the story is that a new "Planet X" has been discovered in orbit behind Jupiter. When a rocket is dispatched, the astronauts discover that Planet X is populated by robot-like humanoid aliens who live underground because the surface has been ravaged by Monster Zero, none other than the three-headed King Ghidorah. The aliens promise to supply the cure for all known disease if they can borrow earthbound monsters Godzilla and Rodan to team up against Ghidorah. It turns out that the aliens have double crossed us gullible Earthlings and intend to invade Earth, using the three monsters as weapons.
Fighting for the good guys are a tough-guy American astronaut and his Japanese partner whose sister is a scientist working for the space organization, and her inventor boyfriend who can't figure out why he can't sell his invention (hint: invent something that does more than just make an annoying noise!). And, of course, the usual army guys. What would a Godzilla movie be without a few platoons of cannon fodder?
Obviously the budget for this film didn't go into the detailed miniatures that Godzilla movies are known for. The two major battles take place largely on the rocky terrain of Planet X or in open fields on Earth. Except for a couple of impressive explosions, relatively little gets smashed. The monsters spend more time flexing and posturing than fighting. And in my growing collection of Godzilla movies, in no other movie (yet) is it as obvious that these are grown men in rubber suits - at one point Godzilla even spars with Ghidorah bare-knuckle style!
Nonetheless, the movie has its moments. The dialogue, at least, the English-dubbed version, is full of great, cheesy lines: "The final hour is approaching for the people of Earth!" and "You rats! You stinkin' rats!" just to name two. The Planet X-ians' "futuristic" costumes, complete with new-wave dark glasses, have to be seen to be believed. And, of course, there's the Great Green One's "victory jig."
Invite some friends over, pop up a bowl of popcorn, shut your brains off, and enjoy.
The premise of the story is that a new "Planet X" has been discovered in orbit behind Jupiter. When a rocket is dispatched, the astronauts discover that Planet X is populated by robot-like humanoid aliens who live underground because the surface has been ravaged by Monster Zero, none other than the three-headed King Ghidorah. The aliens promise to supply the cure for all known disease if they can borrow earthbound monsters Godzilla and Rodan to team up against Ghidorah. It turns out that the aliens have double crossed us gullible Earthlings and intend to invade Earth, using the three monsters as weapons.
Fighting for the good guys are a tough-guy American astronaut and his Japanese partner whose sister is a scientist working for the space organization, and her inventor boyfriend who can't figure out why he can't sell his invention (hint: invent something that does more than just make an annoying noise!). And, of course, the usual army guys. What would a Godzilla movie be without a few platoons of cannon fodder?
Obviously the budget for this film didn't go into the detailed miniatures that Godzilla movies are known for. The two major battles take place largely on the rocky terrain of Planet X or in open fields on Earth. Except for a couple of impressive explosions, relatively little gets smashed. The monsters spend more time flexing and posturing than fighting. And in my growing collection of Godzilla movies, in no other movie (yet) is it as obvious that these are grown men in rubber suits - at one point Godzilla even spars with Ghidorah bare-knuckle style!
Nonetheless, the movie has its moments. The dialogue, at least, the English-dubbed version, is full of great, cheesy lines: "The final hour is approaching for the people of Earth!" and "You rats! You stinkin' rats!" just to name two. The Planet X-ians' "futuristic" costumes, complete with new-wave dark glasses, have to be seen to be believed. And, of course, there's the Great Green One's "victory jig."
Invite some friends over, pop up a bowl of popcorn, shut your brains off, and enjoy.