Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., released in Japan as Godzilla × Mothra × Mechagodzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (ゴジラ×モスラ×メカゴジラ 東京SOS, Gojira tai Mosura tai Mekagojira Tōkyō Esu Ō Esu?) (pronounced Godzilla cross Mothra cross Mechagodzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.), is a 2003 kaiju film directed by Masaaki Tezuka. It is the sequel to 2002's Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla; the only film in the Millennium Godzilla series to be a sequel to another film in the same series. It was the twenty-seventh film to be released in the Godzilla series. It is the 12th film to feature Mothra, the 2nd film to feature Kamoebas, and the 5th and latest film to feature Mechagodzilla.
Plot
Kiryu is undergoing repair modifications after its battle with Godzilla. Prime Minister Hayato Igarashi accepts Lead Scientist Yoshito Chujo's choice to replace the Absolute Zero Cannon with a powerful Tri-Maser.
The Shobijin (Mothra's twin fairies) warn the Japanese government that Godzilla continues returning to Japan because they used the original Godzilla's bones in Kiryu's design. If they return the bones to the bottom of the sea, Mothra would gladly take Kiryu's place in defending Japan, but if they do not, Mothra will declare war on humanity. Soon enough, Kamoebas, a giant sea turtle, is found washed ashore on a Japanese beach. It is determined by the wounds on Kamoebas' neck that Godzilla killed it. Godzilla and Mothra fight, but Godzilla seems to have the upper hand. With the repairs finished just in time, Kiryu manages to even the odds, but Godzilla manages to knock out both monsters.
Meanwhile, on Infant Island, two twin Mothra larvae hatch from Mothra's egg, and rush to help their mother. As Kiryu was being repaired, the larvae try to hold Godzilla off, but Mothra is killed by Godzilla's atomic breath while trying to save her children. Just in time, Yoshito and the humans repair Kiryu, who stabs him in Godzilla's chest with a drill, causing Godzilla to bleed. Godzilla roars in pain, and the larvae begin to bind him up in web. Just as Kiryu's pilot, Azusa Kisaragi, receives the order by Igarashi to destroy Godzilla before the Kiryu project is scrapped, Kiryu's soul is re-awakened through Godzilla's roar. The cyborg lifts Godzilla and secures themselves with cables. Kiryu then uses its boosters to carry itself and Godzilla to the bottom of the ocean.
In the film's post-credits scene, in an undisclosed location, a laboratory is shown, filled with canisters that contain the DNA of numerous Toho kaiju. Therefore, the threat remains.
Cast
Box office
Godzilla: Tokyo SOS opened on December 14, 2003 on a double bill with the animated feature Hamtaro: Ham Ham Grand Prix. In its opening weekend, it was third place at the box office with $1,686,009. Its gross was estimated at $12,000,000, with approximately 1,100,000 admissions, making it the second least-attended film in the Millennium series.
Critical reaction
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. has received generally positive reviews from journalistic reviewers upon its release on DVD. John Sinnott of DVD Talk gave Tokyo SOS four stars out of five, saying:
| “ |
There are some problems with this movie, but when all is said and done, I really enjoyed it. .. While this movie seems to be aimed at a younger audience without a lot of plot or characterization, it was still a lot of fun. The fight scenes were exciting and though they took up most of the movie, they never dragged on or got boring.[1] |
” |
Giving the film a score of three out of five, Stomp Tokyo said "the plot is fairly simplistic and the character relationships are painted in broad strokes," but added that the movie "[features] the best monster action Toho has produced."[2] Joseph Savitski of Beyond Hollywood criticized the film's "uninspired script," which he wrote had "ideas [that] are never fully developed," but added that the film is "well-made" and "mak[es] for an entertaining 91 minutes."[3] Mark Zimmer of Digitally Obsessed gave Tokyo S.O.S. a "B" score, calling it "a fun enough action film with enough explosions and destruction of Tokyo to satisfy die-hards and casual fans alike."[4]
DVD
Sony Pictures
- Releases: December 14, 2004
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (2.35:1) anamorphic
- Sound: Japanese (5.1), English (5.1)
- Supplements: Japanese teaser trailer; Behind the scenes documentary; Trailers for Steamboy, Kaena: The Prophecy, and Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid
- Region 1
- MPAA Rating: Rated PG for sci-fi monster violence and some language.
References
- ^ Review John Sinnott, DVD Talk, December 6, 2004
- ^ Review Stomp Tokyo, October 17, 2004
- ^ Review Joseph Savitski, Beyond Hollywood
- ^ Review Mark Zimmer, Digitally Obsessed, December 13, 2004
External links
