Movie Info
Movie Name: Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
Studio: Toho
Genre(s): Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Release Date(s): December 13, 2003
MPAA Rating: PG
It’s on!!! (for the umpteenth time)
After the battle with Godzilla and malfunction, Mechagodzilla or Kiryu is undergoing repairs in the fear that Godzilla again will return to ravage Tokyo. When the Shobijin appear to warn Japan of the danger of Mechagodzilla, the threat of Mothra is added to the danger of Godzilla’s return. Laced with the bones of the original Godzilla, Mechagodzilla could be the key to salvation…if the bones are returned to the sea.
Directed by Masaaki Tezuka, Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (ゴジラ×モスラ×メカゴジラ 東京 or SOS Gojira Mosura Mekagojira Tōkyō Esu Ō Esu aka Godzilla × Mothra × Mechagodzilla: Tokyo SOS) is the twenty-eighth film in the Godzilla franchise. The film is part of what is considered the Millennium series and follows Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla in 2002.
Mothra, you’re really not helping the situation…
Godzilla is never fantastic, but if you are a fan of Godzilla, it is also never bad. I feel like Godzilla was on every weekend growing up (the old ones), and I even remember watching the old Godzilla cartoon on Saturday mornings. I have a soft spot for Godzilla and this Godzilla is pretty standard.
The series at this point focuses a lot on Japan Self-Defense Force which is the controller of Kiryu and boosts the role of the humans which always have to carry the plots of Godzilla. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. is a bit weird in that Godzilla is pretty much a villain in it after years of being an anti-hero. Godzilla attacks the city and Mechagodzilla stops him with the help of Mothra. It is pretty straight forward and Godzilla is always the real threat.
Got to love Mechagodzilla!
Despite being the “stars” the humans of Godzilla are always so generic. It is kind of fun that Hiroshi Koizumi is brought back to reprise his role as Dr. Shin’ichi Chûjô from the original Mothra in 1961 and actually tying in the Mothra character a bit better than if Mothra just randomly showed up. Other than Hiroshi however, the characters aren’t very dynamic or interesting.
The movie does have some improvements over the older Godzilla movies of childhood. The kaiju style of the original film are still utilized here (aka guys in big suits), but it has been smoothed out by better special effects…it still has that goofy charm however.
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. is simply another entry in a long, long series. If you aren’t a fan of Godzilla, you won’t like it anymore, and if you are a fan of the genre, it is hard to get Godzilla wrong. The Millennium series continued with the “finale” of the Godzilla series Godzilla: Final Wars in 2004 (though the Toho Godzilla relaunched in 2016 with Godzilla Resurgence).
Preceded By:
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002)
Followed By:
