7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.1 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.4 |
Godzilla is freed from his prison in Mt. Mihara just in time to face a genetic experiment gone wrong in the form of Biollante, a huge hybrid monster made from plant, human, and Godzilla's DNA
Starring: Kunihiko Mitamura, Yoshiko Tanaka (I), Masanobu Takashima, Tôru Minegishi, Yasuko SawaguchiForeign | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 90% |
Fantasy | 56% |
Action | 48% |
Supernatural | 28% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0
English: Dolby Digital Mono
English, English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
At some point, Godzilla's going to have to take pity on his victims. Either that, or the good people of Japan are going to have to come up with something that keeps the creature away for good, not merely at bay long enough for them to assess the damage before the beast makes its not-so-triumphant return to wreck havoc on a shellshocked but determined people. Or the filmmakers can just keep churning out more and more Godzilla movies, which would be just fine with cinephiles the world over. Godzilla vs. Biollante is one of more than two dozen Godzilla pictures currently in circulation, and it's one of the finer of the bunch. Penned by a fan and packed with action, characterization, and thought-provoking ideas on genetics and the balance between good and evil, the picture impresses on most every level Godzilla fans demand.
Flower power.
Godzilla Vs Biollante makes its Blu-ray debut in a passable but somewhat disappointing high definition package. The image begins unspectacularly, yielding a bit of title wobble, soft details, and poor blacks that appear washed out/dark gray to such an extent as to distract from the film, and blacks continue to do so with each new nighttime scene throughout the movie. The picture fares significantly better in brighter scenes. Colors certainly never pop, but the splashes produced by an orange sweater, crayoned drawings, and green grasses all appear with acceptable balance and accuracy. The image remains rather soft, however, even at its best. Details never excite in any scene. Faces and clothes fall rather flat, the model Super-X II craft looks bland, and even the heavily textured Godzilla and Biollante characters offer only basic definition even in close-in shots. Grain remains, fluctuating at times in intensity but the flip side is an appreciated organic and naturally filmic appearance. The image does benefit from the uptick in resolution Blu-ray provides, allowing for greater stability on larger display surfaces. Nevertheless, the image largely disappoints. Fans will wish for better and casual viewers may wonder why it doesn't pop, but the combination of budget Blu-ray, softer photography, and other, scattered elements results in a watchable but forgettable transfer.
Godzilla Vs Biollante contains a trio of audio options, chief amongst them -- and the one most likely to be selected -- a Japanese language DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 presentation. As with the video presentation, this track never really dazzles, but it doesn't fall too terribly short of (meager) expectations, either. The opening action salvo disappoints with a decided absence of energy; crumbling and exploding buildings lack audible oomph, let along the amount of bass some might expect. Likewise, Godzilla's hallmark screeching plays meagerly with fair presence but lacking that ear-piercing sort of high-end energy it seemingly should enjoy. Uptempo action music enjoys sufficient clarity and front-side spacing, but not much in the way of aggressive volume. Dialogue plays with fine clarity and remains centered up the middle, save for a few instances of deliberate reverberation that comes off as a little sharp rather than naturally gentle and accurate. Note that the disc contains several different subtitle options, including "English: Screen Text," "English: Complete Translation (New Translation from Original Japanese Dialogue)," and traditional English SDH. Also note that while the menu claims the disc offers a "Japanese DTS HD 2.0 Stereo Track," the disc instead contains a Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 presentation in its place (in addition to the correctly-listed Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English Dolby Digital 2.0 tracks).
Godzilla Vs Biollante contains only two supplements.
Godzilla Vs Biollante entertains and leaves its viewers with something to think about when it's finished. The film satisfies core Godzilla action elements but also more than dabbles in some scientific, moral, and emotional aspects that round the movie into finer form than would be possible if it eschewed the drama and focused more on expanding the already exciting action. It's a well-balanced film and one that should be well-received amongst its target audience. Echo Bridge's Blu-ray release of Godzilla vs. Biollante features adequate video and audio presentations. A couple of extras are included. Despite a less-than-overwhelming Blu-ray package, Godzilla vs. Biollante's Blu-ray release comes recommend on the strength of the film as well as its bargain pricing.
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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 × 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×モスラ×メカゴジラ 東京SOS / Gojira tai Mosura tai Mekagojira: Tôkyô S.O.S.
2003
ゴジラvsメカゴジラ / Gojira vs. Mekagojira
1993
ゴジラ×メカゴジラ / Gojira x Mekagojira
2002
ゴジラvsキングギドラ / Gojira vs. Kingu Gidorâ
1991
ゴジラ ファイナルウォーズ / Gojira: Fainaru uôzu
2004
ゴジラvsスペースゴジラ / Gojira vs. Supesugojira
1994
ゴジラ / Gojira / The Return of Godzilla
1984
ゴジラ対ヘドラ / Gojira tai Hedora / Godzilla vs. Hedorah
1971
1999
1996
1995
Mosura 3: Kingu Gidorâ raishu
1998
Daikaijû Gamera
1965
Gamera tai Gyaosu
1967
Gamera tai Jaiga
1970