Godzilla is a name that has stomped it’s way into history the first Godzilla film was released in 1954. The original Godzilla has went on to spawn 27 sequels, American cuts, and two remakes making it one extremely successful franchise.
I am a huge fan of the Godzilla series and I just happen to collect VHS, DVDs and blus. As a collector I collect films that I love and Godzilla has been a pain in the ass to collect in any format. I almost have all the films spread out through all three formats but some of these titles are hard to come by. Well, was hard to come by. Recently, Kracken Releasing (Section 23) released three Godzilla films on blu to coincide with the theatrical release of the newest Godzilla remake.
The three films on blu are as followed:
Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster (Ebirah, Monster of the Deep)
After Yata (Toru Ibuki)is lost at sea, his brother Ryota steals a “Yacht” with his two friends and a bank robber, the crew runs afoul of the giant lobster Ebirah, and washes up on the shore of an island, where a terrorist organization manufactures heavy water for their purposes, as well as a chemical that keeps Ebirah at bay. The organization, known as the Red Bamboo, has enslaved natives from Infant Island to help them, but the natives hope to awaken Mothra to rescue them.
In their efforts to avoid capture, Ryota and his friends, aided by a beautiful native girl, stumble across “Godzilla” sleeping within a cliffside cavern. The group devises a plan to defeat the Red Bamboo and escape from the island. In the process, they wake Godzilla using a “Lightning rod”. Godzilla fights Ebirah, but the giant crustacean escapes. Godzilla is then attacked by a giant “Condor”and a squadron of Red Bamboo fighter jets, but destroys them.
The humans retrieve the missing Yata, free the enslaved natives and Godzilla begins to destroy the base. Godzilla smashes a tower that has a self-destruct button that makes the island unstable. Godzilla fights Ebirah and defeats it, ripping off both Ebirah’s claws and causing it to retreat into the sea. The natives summon Mothra to save everyone, however, Godzilla challenges Mothra when she gets to the island. Mothra manages to push Godzilla away and carry the people off. Godzilla escapes the island just before it explodes. – wikiGodzilla vs. Hedorah (Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster)
The microscopic alien lifeform feeds on Earth’s “Pollution” and grows into a poisonous, acid-secreting sea monster. After it sinks an oil tanker and attacks Dr. Yano and his young son Ken, scarring them both, Hedorah’s toxic existence is revealed to the public. Ken has visions of “Godzilla” fighting the world’s pollution, and insists Godzilla will come to humankind’s aid against Hedorah.
Hedorah metamorphoses into an amphibian form, allowing it to move onto land to feed on additional sources of pollution. Hedorah is confronted by Godzilla. Hedorah is easily overpowered by Godzilla and retreats into the sea. It returns shortly thereafter in a flying saucer shape demonstrating new, even deadlier forms which it can switch between at will.Thousands of people die in Hedorah’s raids and even Godzilla is overwhelmed by Hedorah’s poisonous emissions. As hope sinks, a party is thrown on Mt. Fuji to celebrate one last day of life before humankind succumbs to Hedorah. Ken realizes that Godzilla and Hedorah have come to Mt. Fuji as well for a final confrontation.
Dr. Yano has determined that drying out Hedorah’s body may destroy the otherwise unkillable monster. The JSDF swiftly constructs two gigantic electrodes for this purpose, but their power is cut off by Godzilla and Hedorah’s violent battle. Godzilla energizes the electrodes with his atomic ray, dehydrating Hedorah’s outer body. Hedorah sheds this outer body and takes flight to escape, but Godzilla propels himself through the air with his atomic ray to give chase. Godzilla drags Hedorah back to the electrodes and continues to dehydrate it until Hedorah dies. Godzilla tears apart Hedorah’s dried-out body and dehydrates the pieces until nothing remains but dust.
With Ken calling after him, Godzilla returns to the sea, but not before glaring threateningly at the surviving humanity whose pollution spawned Hedorah. – wiki
Godzilla vs. Gigan (Godzilla on Monster Island)
Giant insectoid aliens from a dying planet in “Space Hunter Nebula-M” plot to colonize the Earth. The aliens assume the forms of dead humans and work as the development staff of the peace-themed theme park, World Children’s Land, the centerpiece of which is “Godzilla Tower”. The Nebula-M aliens plan to use the space monsters Gigan and King Ghidorah, guided by two “Action Signal Tapes,” to wipe out human civilization.
Manga artist Gengo Kotaka stumbles onto their plan after being hired as a concept artist for the park. When Gengo and his friends accidentally obtain one of the Action Signal Tapes and play it, Godzilla and Anguirus hear the signal and realize something is amiss. Godzilla sends Anguirus to investigate. When Anguirus approaches Tokyo, the Japan Self Defense Forces, misunderstanding the monster’s intentions, drives him away.
Anguirus reports back to Monster Island, and Godzilla follows him back to Japan to save the Earth from Gigan and King Ghidorah. The aliens attempt to kill Godzilla with a lethal laser cannon hidden inside Godzilla Tower, but Gengo and his companions destroy the tower along with the aliens. After a lengthy fight, Godzilla and Anguirus force Gigan and King Ghidorah back into space and then Godzilla and Anguirus swim back to Monster Island, but not before Godzilla turns around and gives a roar of triumph, thanking to his friends. – wiki
After watching these three on blu I have to say that I was very impressed by the picture quality of the films. Kracken put a lot of work in restoring the films and it shows. Sadly, the blus lack any special features other than the trailers for the subsequent films. After waiting so long for a decent release of these films I have to say I am a little upset over the lack of bonus content on this release. Overall, this is a solid release of three classic Godzilla flicks. The movies look great but the discs are just the bare bones release.
Godzilla vs. Gigan
Movie – 3.5/5
Blu – 3/5
Godzilla vs. Hedorah
Movie – 3/5
Blue – 3/5
Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster
Movie – 3/5
Blu – 3/5
