#21- "Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla" (2002)

The prequel movie to Tokyo S.O.S, GaMG finds itself one slot higher on the list only because this movie is almost exactly the same as Tokyo S.O.S, minus Mothra and some modifications to Kiryu. The suits are the exact same, the sets and style of the film are the exact same, the CGI scenes are noticeably bad, and so is the acting. Despite that, I give it the higher nod over Tokyo S.O.S due to the originality of the piece, in bringing back a famous nemesis of Godzilla's in Mechagodzilla, who is now created using the skeleton of the original Godzilla from 1954 as the framework for Japan's latest method to combat Godzilla. GaMG could be viewed as the sequel to the original movie though, because once Godzilla makes landfall, he is unrecognized by the Japanese until some older folk recognize it's the same creature from before. Kind of an interesting twist, but it's going good so far. But then, Japan decides the most likely way to destroy this new reincarnation of The Big G is by manufacturing their own steel version. The latest over the top piece of weaponry designed for Godzilla in this movie is Kiryu's main weapon, the Absolute Zero Cannon, which as its name implies, turns whatever it hits to the coldest possible temperature imaginable. It's a neat idea because when you really think about it, it might work to defeat the King of the Monsters, because I don't think anything can survive such temperatures. But actually employing the idea outside of a super advanced lab, in a weaponized form, and at a large scale such as Godzilla's is another thing entirely. Kiryu goes berserk when it confronts Godzilla for the first time and hears Godzilla's roar, triggering something in the skeleton that makes up the robot. The out of control Mechagodzilla lays waste to Japan before it runs out of power, prompting the world to question the method of defense Japan has chosen. In the final battle between Kiryu and Godzilla, Kiryu actually gains the upper hand before once again short circuiting. The main character of the movie, Akane, manually pilots Kiryu from there on out, flying Godzilla out to sea with Kiryu before firing the Absolute Zero Gun at point blank range. The massive splash made by the falling monsters is frozen before cracking to pieces, but Godzilla quickly rises from the depths, his chest gorily ripped open from the impact. Kiryu is severely damaged but Godzilla retreats into the ocean.  There is a very strong message of female power in this movie, channeled through Akane, who is constantly approached by a widowed scientist named Tokumitsu, who has a lone daughter. The daughter carries around a plant which reminds her of her mother. The scenes in which Tokumitsu attempts to flirt with Akane are actually quite funny, albeit corny, especially when the daughter Sara exposes her fathers blatant advances. All in all, it's a nice little story when you consider the love-interest subplot for Akane and Tokumitsu, especially with the sense of family it creates, and the action scenes are great. Mechagodzilla and Godzilla both look fantastic, but there is just a poor sense of believability in the plot at times, and especially in the acting. That being said, this may be one of the more successful Godzilla movies, especially of the millennial series, taking in around 16 million dollars in Japan.

Berserk Kiryu finally shuts down.

As Godzilla breaks out of the ice, we can clearly see his massive chest wound, which is present in Tokyo S.O.S although relatively healed by then.