I finally bought the collector's edition of "Rodan" and "War of the Gargantuans". Thanks, Classic Media. Damn, what a good way to waste $25 bucks but the movies are so good it was totally worth it. The DVD is of good quality, although lacking the usual special features I was expecting. I was really hoping to hear the G-experts view on the two films but there is a nice hour-long documentary included. "Bringing Godzilla down to size" tells the complex story of Godzilla's rise to fame and tragic fall, yet soon return. Anyways, I'll start with "Rodan", my personal favorite of the two. I originally saw it on AMC back in like middle school but didn't get the whole experience till I watched the Japanese version. The annoying narration and removal of Ifukbe's score really take away from the American version, know what I mean? This movie was Toho's first in-color flick and this film really sets the bar, among the best monster movies. The score by Akira Ifukube is one of his best, being incredibly dark and moving, especially when the two Rodans met their untimely end. Rodan has never been better portrayed here than in any other movie he stars in, the only one even coming close being "Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II". One really cares for them as they are engulfed in the hell of Mt. Aso, that as mentioned earlier is one of the rare moments I'm brung nearly to tears. And Rodan just looks terrific, no lie. His eyes are powerful, his movements graceful. The story and human characters are very well put together and we actually care. The tone is dark and serious thanks to Honda, God bless his soul. The rampage on Saseba was bad-ass, my favorite part though being when Rodan is attacked by the air force. All this is accomplished via Tsubaraya's excellent work, incredible for the time. This film ranks up there with "Gojira".
