If there is any Godzilla movie I never get tired of, it’s this one. I love it. Just the right amount
of cheesiness and kaiju action. It’s one of my favorites.
This film has no new kaiju to introduce. It’s just Godzilla, Rodan, and King Ghidorah. But what makes this film different from the previous movies, is the introduction of aliens. Onscreen aliens, not psychic Venusians. There’s nothing too special about them, they’re just guys in weird suits... and bad@$$ visors. Godzilla fighting aliens is a tradition of the franchise. There always has to be aliens to fight. If the new Godzilla film ever gets a sequel or two, it should definitely feature aliens of some sort. I don’t care how down to earth and realistic they’re trying to make it, aliens are mandatory in any Godzilla series.
I’d like to make clear that I’m watching the English version instead of the original Japanese version. Another fact you might want to know are the alternate titles this film has. Invasion of Astro Monster, and simply, Monster Zero, just in case you want to look for it.
Anyway, the plot involves the discovery of a new planet hidden behind Jupiter, called Planet X.... wow. So creative. Why hasn’t this planet been discovered until now? Because, and I quote straight from the film, “Planet X is very dark”.... sure. That makes perfect sense. Because of this discovery, the world space center, or something like that, launches an exploratory craft to go there. Because of this, I’m wondering when exactly this movie takes place. It was made in 1965, but spaceflight wasn’t possible until 1969. But who am I to question the logic? Yeah, this is the film the point in the series where so many nonsensical things happen, you can’t question the logic of it anymore. But in this movie, it’s fun!
After landing on the planet, they come into contact with the alien race known as.... the... aliens... I don’t recall them ever having a specific designation. The aliens want the help of the human race to destroy their invader, known as Monster Zero. It’s just their name for King Ghidorah. Apparently, after attacking earth, he fled to Planet X. Based on what the aliens say, it seems like Ghidorah’s been at them for a while. Long enough to drive their entire civilization underground. Maybe Ghidorah traveled to earth because he was bored, or something. Still, that doesn’t explain why he was in a meteorite. Maybe it was a special space capsule he flew in between worlds? Who knows.
In order to stop King Ghidorah, the aliens want to use Godzilla and Rodan against him. I’m not even going to try and question that. In return, the aliens will give earth a drug that will cure all diseases. Okay, now we know they’re up to something. I guess since they’re aliens in a sci fi movie, that automatically makes them bad, but when they offer a cure for anything, it’s time to whip out the big guns.
Of course, being the idiots that humans are, we trust them. After a while, the aliens arrive to
This film has no new kaiju to introduce. It’s just Godzilla, Rodan, and King Ghidorah. But what makes this film different from the previous movies, is the introduction of aliens. Onscreen aliens, not psychic Venusians. There’s nothing too special about them, they’re just guys in weird suits... and bad@$$ visors. Godzilla fighting aliens is a tradition of the franchise. There always has to be aliens to fight. If the new Godzilla film ever gets a sequel or two, it should definitely feature aliens of some sort. I don’t care how down to earth and realistic they’re trying to make it, aliens are mandatory in any Godzilla series.
I’d like to make clear that I’m watching the English version instead of the original Japanese version. Another fact you might want to know are the alternate titles this film has. Invasion of Astro Monster, and simply, Monster Zero, just in case you want to look for it.
Anyway, the plot involves the discovery of a new planet hidden behind Jupiter, called Planet X.... wow. So creative. Why hasn’t this planet been discovered until now? Because, and I quote straight from the film, “Planet X is very dark”.... sure. That makes perfect sense. Because of this discovery, the world space center, or something like that, launches an exploratory craft to go there. Because of this, I’m wondering when exactly this movie takes place. It was made in 1965, but spaceflight wasn’t possible until 1969. But who am I to question the logic? Yeah, this is the film the point in the series where so many nonsensical things happen, you can’t question the logic of it anymore. But in this movie, it’s fun!
After landing on the planet, they come into contact with the alien race known as.... the... aliens... I don’t recall them ever having a specific designation. The aliens want the help of the human race to destroy their invader, known as Monster Zero. It’s just their name for King Ghidorah. Apparently, after attacking earth, he fled to Planet X. Based on what the aliens say, it seems like Ghidorah’s been at them for a while. Long enough to drive their entire civilization underground. Maybe Ghidorah traveled to earth because he was bored, or something. Still, that doesn’t explain why he was in a meteorite. Maybe it was a special space capsule he flew in between worlds? Who knows.
In order to stop King Ghidorah, the aliens want to use Godzilla and Rodan against him. I’m not even going to try and question that. In return, the aliens will give earth a drug that will cure all diseases. Okay, now we know they’re up to something. I guess since they’re aliens in a sci fi movie, that automatically makes them bad, but when they offer a cure for anything, it’s time to whip out the big guns.
Of course, being the idiots that humans are, we trust them. After a while, the aliens arrive to
earth, and capture Godzilla and Rodan using magnetic force field bubble... things... and
transport them to Planet X, taking the astronauts and a scientist guy with them. Pretty soon,
we have our first kaiju fight, and it’s awesome. It’s the only Godzilla fight to take place on
another planet, and they whoop King Ghidorah’s golden armored @$$. Then, the most
priceless moment of all Godzilla history, oh man. Everyone reading this review, watch the
video below. I present.... the Godzilla Victory Dance.
Yeah. That just happened. Why? I have no idea, but it’s completely ridiculous and serves no purpose, and it never happens again. I love it.
After the victory, the astronauts and the scientist guy take off back to earth. Pretty soon, it becomes clear that the aliens are EVIL, and always had King Ghidorah in their control, and are now controlling all 3 kaiju using magnetic waves... which they stupidly told everyone on the freaking planet, and in turn, scientists find out a way to block the waves controlling the kaiju. It succeeds, and the alien ships blow up. Since the kaiju are now free of control, they revert back to their senses and continue to beat the crap out of each other. Ghidorah flies off into space again, and everyone is happy. One of the astronauts is even elected to be an ambassador for Planet X. Neither the astronaut or the planet is mentioned again. Ever.
This film definitely has its share of flaws, but I love them so much. It’s what makes it so fun to watch, pointing out all the oddities and inaccuracies. No wonder it’s a classic. The special effects are okay, but there were a lot of instances where the strings were visible. For a movie like this, visible strings are a given. The dubbing is still bad, but is that really a surprise?
One thing I didn’t mention is that American actor Nick Adams is in this movie, but not edited in like they did with past films. He’s the only one speaking English, so he’s not dubbed. His acting is okay, I guess. Not too often are there American actors in the Japanese cut of Godzilla movies.
I’m still wondering what the origins of King Ghidorah are. Was he under control from Planet X in his first film? Did they send him to destroy Venus, then Earth? Or was he just captured before the events of this movie? I have no clue. I guess it will stay a mystery.
As for the people, I'm not too fond of them, but the characters are still memorable. I actually remember a few of their names! Glen, Fuji, and Namikawa. I mostly remember Namikawa because she was pretty. Still, being able to remember their names is a big step for the series.
If you’re in the mood for a classic, cheesy, and fun Godzilla movie, then this is it. Have a few friends over and tear it apart. But, if you prefer a more serious approach, then look towards the Heisei era of Godzilla movies. I’ll be getting to those in a while, so just wait.
Yeah. That just happened. Why? I have no idea, but it’s completely ridiculous and serves no purpose, and it never happens again. I love it.
After the victory, the astronauts and the scientist guy take off back to earth. Pretty soon, it becomes clear that the aliens are EVIL, and always had King Ghidorah in their control, and are now controlling all 3 kaiju using magnetic waves... which they stupidly told everyone on the freaking planet, and in turn, scientists find out a way to block the waves controlling the kaiju. It succeeds, and the alien ships blow up. Since the kaiju are now free of control, they revert back to their senses and continue to beat the crap out of each other. Ghidorah flies off into space again, and everyone is happy. One of the astronauts is even elected to be an ambassador for Planet X. Neither the astronaut or the planet is mentioned again. Ever.
This film definitely has its share of flaws, but I love them so much. It’s what makes it so fun to watch, pointing out all the oddities and inaccuracies. No wonder it’s a classic. The special effects are okay, but there were a lot of instances where the strings were visible. For a movie like this, visible strings are a given. The dubbing is still bad, but is that really a surprise?
One thing I didn’t mention is that American actor Nick Adams is in this movie, but not edited in like they did with past films. He’s the only one speaking English, so he’s not dubbed. His acting is okay, I guess. Not too often are there American actors in the Japanese cut of Godzilla movies.
I’m still wondering what the origins of King Ghidorah are. Was he under control from Planet X in his first film? Did they send him to destroy Venus, then Earth? Or was he just captured before the events of this movie? I have no clue. I guess it will stay a mystery.
As for the people, I'm not too fond of them, but the characters are still memorable. I actually remember a few of their names! Glen, Fuji, and Namikawa. I mostly remember Namikawa because she was pretty. Still, being able to remember their names is a big step for the series.
If you’re in the mood for a classic, cheesy, and fun Godzilla movie, then this is it. Have a few friends over and tear it apart. But, if you prefer a more serious approach, then look towards the Heisei era of Godzilla movies. I’ll be getting to those in a while, so just wait.
FINAL RATING: 34 / 50
STORY: 3 / 5
ACTING: 2 / 5
CHARACTERS: 3 / 5
SPECIAL EFFECTS: 3 / 5
ACTION: 3 / 5
SOUNDTRACK: 3 / 5
TONE: 2 / 5
ENJOYABILITY: 5 / 5
REWATCH VALUE: 5 / 5
OWNING VALUE: 5 / 5
Love this movie! You did a great job of reviewing it!!
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