Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II Blu-ray Movie Review

Call Dutch.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 4, 2014

Note: 'Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II' is currently only available as part of a two-pack with 'Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla.'

"If it bleeds, we can kill it." Maybe the Japanese should contract out Arnold Schwarzenegger to take care of the Godzilla problem, because whatever they're throwing at the flesh-and-blood monster just isn't working. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (no relation to Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, 1974) sees the Japanese finally rid of the big green lizard -- or, at least, imminently rid of it, so they hope -- with the introduction of Mechagodzilla, a powerful robot expected to wipe the floor with the island nation's most dangerous menace. What could possibly go wrong? Win or lose, the battle is sure to be fierce and one that will leave parts of Japan in ruin. The film is all about killing Godzilla, well, except for all the extra stuff about reptilian telekinesis and whatnot. Still, it's one of the best of the bunch, a wildly exciting and fairly focused Godzilla film with most of the usual trimmings to complete a hugely satisfying package.

Bad breath.

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II quickly gets the ball rolling and only increases its momentum as it moves along. It begins simply in terms of plot structure, though, setting into motion a series of events by identifying a problem and presenting a solution, in this case a shift away from hope and a reliance on other organic beings and a pivot towards a more concrete -- perhaps better said wire and steel -- solution to the Godzilla problem. Certainly, the Japanese had already tried, and failed, to defeat the menace with technology, but it's been proven time and again that a barrage of missiles isn't enough to take the monster down, not permanently, anyway, so they've advanced technology to the point that it can play not only on Godzilla's turf but on his scale. They've constructed their own monster, under their own control, capable of withstanding Godzilla's most dangerous attacks and armed with enough firepower to instantly destroy pretty much anything on the planet. Of course, they didn't count on a number of complications, mostly in the form of Rodan and Baby Godzilla.

There comes a point in the film where it feels like the added angle of Rodan and the telekinetic Baby Godzilla might be a hindrance rather than a help. After all, the film starts epically strong in its reveal of the mechanized Godzilla -- its capabilities, its form, its function -- that anything that stands in the way of more battles between it and its organic namesake must be a negative. It's not so much that audiences will find the secondary storyline weak, just potentially distracting. There's enough going on for the Rodan and Baby Godzilla stories to headline their own film rather than usurp precious minutes from the epic clash between the organic and the inorganic. Fortunately, that's not the case. The filmmakers have worked the extra monsters into the plot both logically (as logically as an illogical series can) and without sacrificing the integrity of the story's lifeblood. Without them, the film offers an exciting exterior but dramatically flat interior. With them, it it finds a greater structural complexity, heightened emotional pull, and enough plot diversity to keep the movie feeling like there's more to it than an extended play session of a video game beat-'em-up.

That said, the best Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II has to offer is, well, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla. Even while there's not a whole lot of difference to the battles -- they're still a little clunky, play out like they're in some sort of slow motion, and are built on old school visual effects -- when compared to those from other films in the series from the same timeframe, the relative novelty of Mechagodzilla, all of the cool things Mechagodzilla (and Garuda) can do, and the blows it can take, make for more intensive combat that factors in a much more intimate human element than in many other Godzilla films. Indeed, humans pilot the mech and find themselves in the middle of the combat (it's not hard to see inspirations for Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim in almost every scene featuring, and revolving around, Mechagodzilla) and are therefore, obviously, in great and frequent peril, even more than many of the innocents who are always chased off during Godzilla's many rampages around Japan. It's the ultimate battle in many ways, pitting the best man currently has to offer against the best nature has to offer (though, admittedly, also made by man, and his release of radiation in specific) in a battle for bragging rights and, more importantly, the possibility for more installments in the future.

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II's 1080p transfer is about on par with those found in the set that contains both King Ghidorah and Mothra. Sony's high definition effort might be a touch dim and slightly uneven in places, but generally colors suffice insofar as they're well defined and mostly naturally presented, from Mechagodzilla's silvery covering and yellow eyes to Godzilla's lizard-like green skin. Fine object detail fails to unearth pinpoint, nitty gritty sort of textures, but the image does showcase solid clothing and facial features, not to mention imperfections on the Mechagodzilla exterior and the bumpy, leathery Godzilla skin. Black levels are fine, and flesh tones raise no alarms. The image features no major bouts of blockiness, ringing, or other maladies. It's a solid effort all around.

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Unlike the aforementioned King Ghidorah and Mothra releases, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II features a Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack (an English dub track in DTS-HD MA 2.0 is also included). The increase in range and spacing is most welcome. The track plays with a richer and fuller sense of sound placement and envelopment, still failing to find precision clarity and fine attention to detail but it at least more fully engages the listener throughout. Whether waves splashing through the stage, clicks and footfalls echoing through the listening area in one early moment, or other supportive sound effects, they all play with a greater organic sensation than the more cramped and jumbled 2.0 channel tracks from the previous entries. There's more definition and body to action effects, too, certainly still struggling to find that dazzling sort of heft and strength but the greater impact and stage presence comes most welcome. Even still, some of the action comes through as a bit uneven; Mechagodzilla's electric discharge attack heard in chapter seven lacks the punch and fullness of the combat leading up to it. Dialogue does enjoy a greater stamina and clarity here. The English dub track lags far behind. Dialogue is unevenly spaced, music remains shallow, and sound effects are puny. As always, it's best to stick with the original. English, English SDH, and French subtitle options are included.

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II contains only the following trailers: Teaser 1 (HD, Japanese DD 2.0, English subtitles, 0:39), Teaser 2 (HD, Japanese DD 2.0, English subtitles, 0:38), Teaser 3 (HD, Japanese DD 2.0, English subtitles, 1:07), and Theatrical Trailer (HD, Japanese DD 2.0, English subtitles, 1:36).

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II offers a classic Godzilla package of mindless movie delights. It's action-packed, focused, and occasionally even charming. The additions of monsters beyond Godzilla and Mechagodzilla allow for some added dramatic value, but the film is at its best when the two title characters square off and provide some of the meatiest, most entertaining Monster movie clashes yet. This is one of the best films in the franchise and a must-see for anyone who enjoyed Pacific Rim. Sony's Blu-ray release of Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II features solid video and quality 5.1 lossless audio. Sadly, supplements are limited to a handful of trailers. Recommended.