Fukuda, Jun

Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster

Son of Godzilla

The monster-about-town becomes doting dad when he adopts orphan lizard Minilla, the result of a radioactive storm caused by a scientific experiment gone wrong. This decidedly juvenile affair shows signs of the series' cost-cutting measures and Godzilla himself has been redesigned to reflect his new, younger audience, with an oversize head and big, doll-like eyes. This kindler, gentler lizard king proceeds to protect the happy-go-lucky kid from the newly mutated giant insects of the island and teaches him how to breathe fire. Much of the film is played for comedy--Minilla blowing smoke rings instead of flames, skipping rope with Dad's tail, skittering about like a mischievous little kid as put-upon Godzilla tries to keep the tyke focused--and is obviously aimed at Godzilla's enormous adolescent audience. But as always, the picture delivers great monster battles, notably with the mutant spider giant Kumonga. --Sean Axmaker

Godzilla vs. Gigan

Known to Stateside moviegoers as Godzilla on Monster Island, this slight but fun 1972 entry in the Godzilla franchise pits the King of the Monsters and four-legged cohort Angilas against aliens bent on world domination, as well as their old nemesis, the space dragon King Ghidorah, and a new creature, the birdlike cyborg Gigan. Diehard G-fans may be disappointed by the film's kid-friendly tone (a shift in direction signaled several years earlier by Godzilla's Revenge) and its overreliance on stock footage from other Godzilla films to depict the monsters' orgy of destruction, as well as an unfortunate decision to make Godzilla "talk"; however, children (Gigan's real audience) will undoubtedly enjoy the frantic action. Parents should know that there are two brief moments of blood-letting (Godzilla and Angilas both suffer wounds from a buzzsaw that juts from Gigan's torso), but otherwise, the film is free of objectionable material. --Paul Gaita

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

For Godzilla's 20th anniversary, Japanese film company Toho reinvented the series once again. Mixing science fiction (with a rather obvious nod to the Planet of the Apes series), mythological fantasy, and secret-agent intrigue, this 1974 entry begins with the startling image of Godzilla doing battle with himself! Actually it's a towering robot juggernaut unleashed by black-blooded ape-men invaders from outer space. Disguised as the King of the Monsters, Mechagodzilla sets off on a rampage until the real Godzilla shows up; however, unable to handle the mechanized menace alone, Godzilla teams up with a new character, a mythological lion-god named Caesar. This "bionic-zilla" is almost as impressive as the Big G himself, a titanium-clad robot equipped with ray beams, flame throwers, and dozens of missiles. Godzilla sports a peacocklike display of silver dorsal fins and a mean new suit with a fierce head. Bad alien makeup and Godzilla's decidedly "friend of mankind" attitude, all mixed with the James Bond-inspired spy subplot, lends a cheery camp flair to the science fiction adventure. This one's followed by the direct sequel, Terror of Mechagodzilla. --Sean Axmaker

War in Space

The year is 1988. Aliens from the Empire of Galaxies establish a base on Venus and launch a surprise attack on Earth. As the invaders spaceships quickly defeat the world s armies and destroy New York Moscow Paris and London a United Nations Space Bureau team led by Professor Takigawa manages to finish construction of Earth s last line of defense the space battleship Gohten.The Gohten makes short work of the alien fleet and the crew decides to take the battle to the enemy. While en route to Venus an alien manages to sneak aboard the ship and kidnap Takigawa s daughter Jun. The UN team attempts to rescue the girl from the clutches of the wookiee-like Space Beastman but even if they succeed they must still deal with the greatest threat of all Supreme Commander Hell and his powerful space galleon the Daimakan.Originally released in 1977 and helmed by the legendary Jun Fukuda (Godzilla Vs. Megalon Godzilla VS. Gigan). Starring Akihiko Hirata (Mysterians Atragon) Kensaku Morita (Virus) and the beautiful Yuko Asano (Renegade Ninjas). With special effects directed by Teruyoshi Nakano (Godzilla VS. the Smog Monster Godzilla 1985). This classic sci-fi film from the creators of Godzilla has never before been available on DVD. This is the definitive edition presented in its original theatrical aspect of 2.35:1. It includes the rare English dub and the original Japanese language. Presented uncut and unedited for the first time everSystem Requirements:Running Time 90 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY Rating: NR UPC: 875707000697 Manufacturer No: DT006

Godzilla DVD Collection 5-Pack (Godzilla (1998) / Godzilla 2000 /Godzilla vs. Hedorah /Godzilla vs. Gigan /Godzillla vs. Mechagodzilla)

Godzilla DVD Collection 3-Pack (Godzilla (1998) / Godzilla vs. Hedorah / Godzilla vs. Gigan)

Chikyû kogeki meirei: Gojira tai Gaigan [Region 2]

Known to Stateside moviegoers as Godzilla on Monster Island, this slight but fun 1972 entry in the Godzilla franchise pits the King of the Monsters and four-legged cohort Angilas against aliens bent on world domination, as well as their old nemesis, the space dragon King Ghidorah, and a new creature, the birdlike cyborg Gigan. Diehard G-fans may be disappointed by the film's kid-friendly tone (a shift in direction signaled several years earlier by Godzilla's Revenge) and its overreliance on stock footage from other Godzilla films to depict the monsters' orgy of destruction, as well as an unfortunate decision to make Godzilla "talk"; however, children (Gigan's real audience) will undoubtedly enjoy the frantic action. Parents should know that there are two brief moments of blood-letting (Godzilla and Angilas both suffer wounds from a buzzsaw that juts from Gigan's torso), but otherwise, the film is free of objectionable material. --Paul Gaita

Saiyûki