6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Fifty years after he first attacked Tokyo, Godzilla is back on the rampage in this monster opus from Toho Studios. After numerous rounds of combat with Japan's most furious monsters, the robotic beast Mechagodzilla is in for some much needed repairs when a handful of sprites appear before the scientists putting the machine back in fighting shape. The enchanted ones warn the scientists that their actions could have grave consequences, but it isn't long before Godzilla, the most fearsome of all monsters, returns to the scene to prove his might once and for all. What's more, Godzilla is joined by Mothra for a reign of terror that threatens to devastate the island. With few alternatives, Japan's leaders pit the repaired Mechagodzilla against Godzilla and Mothra, but it quickly becomes unclear if the robot will obey its human creators or join forces with the flesh-and-blood monsters.
Starring: Noboru Kaneko, Miho Yoshioka, Mickey Koga, Hiroshi Koizumi, Masami NagasawaSci-Fi | 100% |
Foreign | 92% |
Action | 78% |
Fantasy | 68% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English, English SDH, French
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Note: 'Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.' is currently only available as part of a two-pack with 'Godzilla: Final Wars.'
Honestly, the Godzilla series has never really been about all that much more than rough-and-tumble monsters duking it out in and
around Japan
(well, discounting the Western film's geography, anyway). Yet there's always been at least some
feeling, some purpose, some tangible side element meant to frame the action and provide, at the very least, a modicum of context beyond the
monster chaos. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., on the other hand, almost completely disregards story and structure, characterization and emotion in
favor of
mindless mayhem with only the most basic story-advancing plot elements to allow for some "logical" progression towards the end battle. The movie
is very much a Western-inspired one, in that regard, favoring big action and speed rather than depth and meaning. Of course, some viewers might
find that a positive, and that's a justifiable position to take given that Godzilla is a series with its roots in the fantastical. Still, the
best films in the series, subjectively speaking, blend punches and purpose with, if not grace, at the very least some sort of dramatic context to keep
the audience interested and engaged beyond what amounts to rather repetitive monster battles.
This water's cold!
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. arrives on Blu-ray with a fair but somewhat flat 1080p transfer. It's a touch soft throughout and finds only moderately well defined details across the board. Don't expect much in the way of precision intricacy and lifelike accuracy from clothes, skin, furniture, or creatures. Mothra's fur coating, for example, doesn't reveal its details at the micro level but shows just enough in broader shots to get a good feel for its coating. Likewise, the Godzilla and Mechagodzilla suits don't show off much in the way of fine close-up textures. Colors are a little drab but serviceable, from brighter clothes to Mechagodzilla's yellow eyes. Skin textures appear mostly natural. Black crush is evident in places, as is some ringing, and minor title wobble is apparent. The picture's grain structure is rather flat. This is easily amongst the least attractive of the Sony Godzilla releases.
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. explodes onto Blu-ray with an aggressive Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. It plays in a big stage, offering quality spacing and engaging surround support. Musical clarity ranks highly throughout the range, and the low end adds some defining heft. Action sound effects rule the day and dominate the track. Fighter jets zoom around, explosions hit hard, and crashes are felt and not simply heard. It's potent and big almost to the point of over-engineering, but it makes for a fun soundtrack that's the perfect compliment to the movie's equally big action pieces. Dialogue plays naturally and smoothly from the center. The English dub, also presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, doesn't fall too far behind. While there's a touch more clarity and definition to the Japanese track's music and effects, this one proves just as potent and aggressive. Dialogue is also rather clean and well-defined. Listeners who wish to forego the original track won't feel left out of the fun with the English option. Audiences who choose the Japanese track may select between optional English, English SDH, and French subtitle options, should they be necessary.
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. contains a making-of feature and a trailer.
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. is sure to satisfy one's basic craving for huge monster-on-monster action, but viewers in search of something other than combat should look elsewhere. The film satisfies basic franchise needs with its relentlessly paced action but never finds a dramatic counterbalance to keep said action from overwhelming the experience. This isn't a bad place to start for newcomers who just want to get a feel for how the series works in terms of its big battles (particularly considering it includes two of the most famous monsters not named "Godzilla"), but series veterans will be left pining for a more thorough support structure. Sony's Blu-ray release of Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. delivers passable video, aggressive audio, and a making-of supplement. Rent it.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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2004
ゴジラ×メカゴジラ / Gojira x Mekagojira
2002
ゴジラ・モスラ・キングギドラ 大怪獣総攻撃 / Gojira, Mosura, Kingu Gidorâ: Daikaijû sôkôgeki
2001
ゴジラvsメカゴジラ / Gojira vs. Mekagojira
1993
ゴジラ × メガギラス G消滅作戦 / Gojira tai Megagirasu: Jî shômetsu sakusen
2000
ゴジラvsデストロイア / Gojira vs. Desutoroiâ / Godzilla vs. Destroyer
1995
ゴジラ2000 ミレニアム / Gojira ni-sen mireniamu / Godzilla 2000: Millennium
1999
ゴジラvsモスラ / Gojira vs. Mosura / Godzilla vs. Mothra
1992
ゴジラvsキングギドラ / Gojira vs. Kingu Gidorâ
1991
ゴジラvsスペースゴジラ / Gojira vs. Supesugojira
1994
ゴジラvsビオランテ / Gojira vs. Biorante
1989
ゴジラ / Gojira / The Return of Godzilla
1984
ゴジラ対ヘドラ / Gojira tai Hedora / Godzilla vs. Hedorah
1971
ゴジラ対メガロ / Gojira tai Megaro
1973
地球攻撃命令 ゴジラ対ガイガン / Chikyû kogeki meirei: Gojira tai Gaigan / Godzilla vs. Gigan
1972
Mosura 3: Kingu Gidorâ raishu
1998
メカゴジラの逆襲 / Mekagojira no gyakushu
1975
怪獣大戦争 / Kaijû daisensô / Godzilla vs. Monster Zero
1965
怪獣総進撃 / Kaijû sôshingeki
1968
Gamera tai Bairasu
1968