Godzilla Raids Again (1955)

Movie Info

But I waaaaaant to destroy Japan!!!

Fishermen pilots Shoichi Tsukioka (Hiroshi Koizumi) and Koji Kobayashi (Minoru Chiaki) discover Godzilla battling Anguirus. When it becomes obvious that Godzilla and Anguirus are a threat, the race is on to try to destroy them before they destroy Osaka. With no means to kill either creature, the military’s best hope might be if they turn on each other.

Directed by Motoyoshi Oda, Godzilla Raids Again was the second film in the Godzilla series following Gojira in 1954 and was released in Japan as Gojira no Gyakushū (or Godzilla’s Counterattack). It wasn’t released in the United States until 1959 and was called Gigantis, The Fire Monster. Gigantis as a name for Godzilla did not take off and the series returned to the original name.  The film was released by the Criterion Collection as part of the Godzilla:  The Showa-Era Films 1954-1975 (Criterion #1000).

It’s Anguirus the Hedgehog vs. Godzilla!

Gojira was a hit for Japan, and the film’s success demanded a sequel.  Unfortunately, Godzilla was killed at the end of the first film (pretty definitely…bones and all), and the filmmakers had to bring in a new Godzilla to carry on the series.  Like the first film, Godzilla is a threat to the entire island nation of Japan, and there is a lot of World War II fear being spread around the film in scenes like the fight, the danger in cities, and bombings.  Godzilla Raids Again sets the stage for future Godzilla films.

This second outing for Godzilla is the first time that Godzilla faces off against another “big monster”. It also shows the first time as Godzilla as the hero. Godzilla is used by the military to take out the threat of Anguirus. Anguirus just looks like a dinosaur hedgehog. I do like that Dr. Kyohei Yamane (Takashi Shimura) from the original came back in this one. He primarily is there to identify Godzilla (apparently, everyone forgot about the attack on Tokyo). This also is a different Godzilla as Yamane confirms that Godzilla died in the original film.  Godzilla’s fighting style pretty much involves him trying to body slam the other monster…Very scientific approach you have there, Godzilla.

This holiday season try a nice Godzilla on ice

Godzilla Raids Again is a fun Godzilla movie, and looks a bit better than some of the later Godzilla movies. The movie is in black & white and actually has a few different locations. There is the typical attack on the city but Godzilla also goes north (which ends up being his undoing).  This Godzilla maybe needs some dental work since he has quite the overbite, but largely, the movie is in line with first Godzilla visually with lots of miniatures used in the fight scenes.  I especially like it when the Godzilla model is buried in ice cubes.

Godzilla Raids Again is an entertaining Godzilla film, but Godzilla always has a soft spot for me since it seems I spent tons of Saturday mornings watching. Anguirus might not be the coolest of enemies, but it is funny to see Godzilla virtually attack him by tackling him.  Don’t ever go into a Godzilla movie expecting a deep plot (you will be sorely disappointed).  The original Godzilla is as close as you get to a developed plot, but the films after it are pretty much a royal rumble between Godzilla and other big screen monsters.  Godzilla Raids Again was followed by King Kong vs. Godzilla in 1962.

Preceded By:

Gojira (1954)

Godzilla:  King of the Monsters! (1956)

Followed By:

King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)