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This article originally ran in 2019 and is being republished with the release ofGodzilla vs. Kong.
Before diving in, its worth remembering a few names.
Gigan itself feels cobbled together from other foes.
That said, even the weakest Godzilla movies tend to be filled with fun ideas.
When he finally returned, it was to face one filmdoms most famous giant monsters withKing Kong vs. Godzilla.
It was a conflict years in the making.
The signs begin with the title; Godzilla hadjustfought his robotic foe in the previous yearsGodzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.
Honda died in 1993, a year which also saw the release of Kurosawas final film,Madadayo.
As a monster movie, it doesnt really work.
As for Minilla, he straddles the line between disturbing and cute while helping bring in younger viewers.
But, it lacks the original films thematic depth and dread-filled atmosphere.
This second Godzilla is the one seen in all subsequent Showa-era films.
The series broughtkaiju-inspired action to the small screen, even occasionally recycling old Godzilla suits as new monsters.
But the fight scenes remain strong and the films sheer absurdity keeps it entertaining.
(In the U.S. it bore the titleGodzilla vs. the Smog Monster.)
Growing and changing shape throughout the film, he works as nasty, swelling symbol of waste gone amok.
4.Destroy All Monsters(1968)
Its not hard to parse the logic behind this wild entry.
(Mothra would prove to be a good influence.)
What more could you ask for?
Its not the best film of the Showa era the original still wears that crown.
It works beautifully as an allegory, and just as well as a horror film.
The sequels may have made Godzilla a movie star, but its the original that made him immortal.
