Millennium Godzilla Era (1999-2004)

This final entry in the series/remembrance of my late friend, Zachary Hill, examines the last complete era of Godzilla films. The previous entries have been divided differently from the established criteria of naming them after Emperors (Showa and Heisei), and instead categorizes them by common characteristics and production cycles (Early, Middle, and Late). The Millennium Era matches with established norms for the last six Godzilla films.

This era is characterized by re-starts, re-boots, and ret-cons. Only two of the films in this series are connected to each other. 

#23 Godzilla 2000 (1999) *****

The last complete era of Godzilla films (as of the time of this writing, at least) starts off with action from the get-go. In a reaction to the American Godzilla film that Toho rightly saw as a disaster that contained neither the spirit of the character nor the basic elements that make a Godzilla film a Godzilla film, they ramped-up production and created one of their best Godzilla films.

Godzilla 2000 begins with a scientist and his daughter, along with a photographer, attempting to predict Godzilla's next appearance. It's unclear whether this is the Godzilla that matured at the end of the Late Godzilla Era, or if it is another re-boot that only connects to the original Godzilla film (1954).

Godzilla's radically different appearance doesn't help us figure it out either.

When he does show up (and it doesn't take long), the head of a corporation/Minister of the Interior is busy raising a meteor from the bottom of the ocean. This Minister wishes to destroy Godzilla while the scientist sees the creature as an opportunity to increase scientific knowledge. This duality of interests (to destroy/to study) reaches back all the way to the original and remains an important element of any successful, serious Godzilla film.

As the Minister enacts his plan to destroy Godzilla, he brings in the army with their highly specialized weapons. One of which, the General promises, will "go through Godzilla like crap through a goose."

A line from Patton, but no less hilarious because of it.

Turns out, the Minister's asteroid is a space creature that absorbs the DNA structure of other living creatures, and this one settles on copying Godzilla. But at first, it's just a larger Flight of the Navigator ship.

Then, it evolves (in the style of Hedorah) into a tentacled alien creature.

Eventually, it turns into an unnamed, but cool looking creature that tries to eat Godzilla.

Spoilers: this is ultimately a bad plan.

This first entry in the Millennium Godzilla is tightly-paced. The human story is interesting as the "little-guy" scientist works with his daughter against the "big-guy" Minister who has endless resources at his disposal. The Giant Monster action is entertaining, with a foe that actually seems to go toe-to-toe with Godzilla until its ultimate defeat. That foe brings an aspect of the aliens vs. Godzilla theme that was prevalent in the Middle Godzilla Era, giving Godzilla the chance to be both destructive force and the defender of Earth. There are even a few funny lines so the film doesn't take itself too seriously throughout. Every element of a good Godzilla film can be found here. Highly recommended.

#24 Godzilla vs. Megaguiras (2000) ***

This Godzilla film makes the interesting choice to begin by ret-conning Godzilla's original appearance in 1954 (and at least one other in 1966) with images of the newer design that debuted in Godzilla 2000 (yet this film isn't connected to that one since no one mentions Godzilla fighting off an alien creature).

The idea was that this iteration of Godzilla had it out for nuclear energy. To avoid Godzilla's wrath and make sure he never returns to destroy again, Japanese scientists develop a new source of power and an Anti-Godzilla Task Force. This Task Force (called G-Graspers because this is a Godzilla movie) develops a miniature black-hole that will capture Godzilla and keep him prisoner for eternity.

Godzilla movies are basically written by throwing darts at a "plot dart board."

Unfortunately, the black-hole weapon swallows a bug (just like Marlon Brando in the Apocalypse Now deleted scenes) and that bug is mutated (eventually) into Megaguirus.

Not completely unlike Battra in Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)

Along with the crazy Godzilla science-stuff, there are a lot of elements from previous movies shoe-horned in here. Yet another Space-X type flying vehicle to combat Godzilla (this time called the Griffon). A member of G-Grasper has a personal vendetta against Godzilla for killing a friend. Godzilla as the force of destruction that ends up saving humanity. A creature with a few forms before the final Giant Monster (like Hedorah), and one acts a lot like the Destroyah creatures. The best throw-back though, is the "wrestling move" that Godzilla pulls on Megaguirus.

Sure, you could argue that in such a long-running series, it's difficult not to start cannibalizing the prior films in the series. Thankfully, this movie doesn't turn that cannibalism into a bad film, necessarily. It's just not particularly good either. The human story isn't interesting, even with the inclusion of a strong female lead and a kooky inventor (just like the one in Monster Zero!). And while the Giant Monster fights are engaging, they take place really deep into the film. This one ends up as a mediocre entry, but if you must watch it, be sure to drink for the first hour. That'll make the last 45 minutes far more enjoyable for having done something more useful leading up to it than actually watching the movie.

#25 Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) *****

Not only does this entry sport the longest title of any film in the series, it's also one of the best. Yet again, the film ignores all previous Godzilla movies except for the original Godzilla (1954). The basic premise here is simple. Godzilla is coming back, and Japan needs some protection. That's where the Guardian Monsters (Baragon, Mothra, and King Ghidorah) come in.

After they have a few scenes where the Guardians kill or terrorize some misbehaving kids, people start mistaking Baragon for Godzilla because they've only seen one Giant Monster prior. Then, Godzilla shows up...

And he is terrifying...

This Godzilla has been created by nuclear experimentation, but he also embodies the souls of Japanese soldiers who fought in WWII because the nation has moved on and forgotten the sacrifices they made. If nothing else, All-Out Monster Attack should be given credit for not shying away from the roots of Godzilla's origins.

In addition to the serious tone, some of the best Giant Monster fights of the series can be found in this film. The first of which is fast and brutal, showing that Godzilla is a beast to be reckoned with, even against Guardian Monster Baragon.

Then, the other Guardian Monsters are put in their place. Godzilla is the true King of Monsters in this movie. And with each encounter, the movie further solidifies itself as a sight to behold for fans of Giant Monster fights.

Sure, the human story is lackluster and mostly here as the glue to hold the Giant Monster battles together, but it all works. On top of that, the pacing moves quickly from one plot point to the next. Ultimately, Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monster All-Out Attack made Godzilla a formidable foe to be feared, not just for the destruction he could wreak on civilization, but also for what he represented. He's more than a force of nature; the Godzilla of this film symbolizes Japan's past and the nuclear science that created him both wrapped into one. With the addition of the Guardian Monsters (one of which has been traditionally a "bad-guy") this film creates something from what has come before, yet adds an entertaining film to the series with a few thought-provoking elements for good measure. Highly recommended.

#26 Godzilla against MechaGodzilla (2002) ***

Yet again, this film only connects to the original Godzilla (1954), but also references two non-Godzilla Toho films (1961's Mothra and 1966's War of the Gargantuas). Essentially, this is both the fourth film and fourth re-boot in this Millennium Godzilla Era.

Another Godzilla rampages through Japan in 1999. That "another" part is important because the government/scientists develop a plan to use the first Godzilla's skeleton to build a bio-mechanical MechaGodzilla. Meanwhile, a Mazer operator who screwed up and got her buddies killed trains to join the team piloting MechaGodzilla. Unfortunately, when they fire up MechaGodzilla, the skeleton inside hears Godzilla's roars and "awakens." MechaGodzilla rampages, but after a few adjustments, he's an effective weapon again.

The appeal of this film is the anime-inspired Giant Monster action. There's a sweet new MechaGodzilla.

And while it's nice to see this MechaGodzilla tearing up some miniatures like the original did, Godzilla gets in on the action too.

The human story here, about the Mazer operator turned MechaGodzilla pilot, tries to be emotionally weighty but falls flat. Godzilla against MechaGodzilla is not a great entry in the series, but it avoids being terrible with decent special effects and some good Giant Monster fighting.

#27 Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) ***1/2

This movie is a direct sequel to Godzilla against MechaGodzilla and picks up immediately after. MechaGodzilla is in need of repairs and a pair of miniature twins from the Mothra movie reveal that Godzilla keeps coming back to destroy Japan because the old Godzilla's bones were used in the MechaGodzilla. If those bones are returned to the sea, Mothra will be Japan's protector. Of course, the government/scientists don't agree to this and Godzilla returns.

The human story of this entry is centered around the pilots and ground crew piloting and working on MechaGodzilla, one of which was visited by the miniature twins and struggles with what they've revealed. It's an attempt to give a "ground's eye view" of these Giant Monsters, but with unrelatable anime-looking stars, it all just feels like the CW's version of a Godzilla cast.

Much angst. So conflict.

Much like it predecessor, this Godzilla movie isn't great. Sure, it's better than Godzilla against MechaGodzilla because of the weirdness of including the miniature twins and Mothra, along with the fact that it's about 75% Giant Monsters fighting. But even with that, it's still not quite enough to be great.

Even though it's only a good, not great, Godzilla movie, there are a few redeeming scenes. Like when Godzilla tail-sweeps MechGodzilla and then blasts it as it falls forward.

#28 Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) ****1/2 

As Toho wound-down the Millennium Godzilla Era in Godzilla's 50th anniversary year, they put together a "reunion" film of sorts. Almost all of Toho's monsters make an appearance (they even include the Non-Zilla from the American Godzilla film), and the plot is reminiscent of Godzilla's bygone times. Essentially, this is a "greatest hits" movie for the fans. And as silly as it is, with some extraneous elements (Matrix-style fighting? Check. Running on the side of a wall? Check.), it's a fun movie that works as what it is meant to be: a throwback, fan-service movie.

Giant Monsters begin to appear in cities all over the world. The Earth Defense Force is dispatched to take them down, but they are "beamed away." Aliens, of course. They've come to explain that a planet is going to hit Earth and destroy it unless Earth blows that planet up. Turns out, that whole story is bullshit, and the aliens plan to replace Earth's leaders with their own. The aliens also control the giant monsters. All except for Godzilla, that is.

These guy, untrustworthy? Shocking, I know.

The human plot is purely in place here to build towards Godzilla facing every single Giant Monster the filmmakers could possibly squeeze into the movie. It's ridiculous and doesn't try to be too emotionally weighty. Sure, it takes itself barely seriously enough. But no more than necessary to get to the next action scene. In other words, it's gloriously and self-indulgently over-the-top for most of the film.

Like when two guys fight on a motorcycle.

And those Giant Monster fights truly pay off for fans. Not only is there a plethora of monsters included in this movie, but seeing Godzilla beat all of them is satisfyingly fun. Especially, but not limited to this quick work he makes of Non-Zilla.

Not even an appearance by Baby Godzilla (called Minilla this time) can ruin this movie. Highly recommended for fans. Just plain recommended fun for everyone else.

This concludes my review/remembrance of all 28 Toho Godzilla films in remembrance of my friend, Zach. We spent a lot of time watching, making fun of, and making reference to these films in the years I knew him. He'll be missed for much more than his love of Godzilla films, but this was a way to pay tribute to a great friend and all-around good guy.