Minilla | The Gigantic Project

Sometimes studios have to retire a property for a while. When they do they sometimes try to have a celebration to show just how incredible the franchise was and all the joy it brought to others. Destroy All Monsters was this type of movie and was supposed to be the final Kaiju film from Toho. Then something glorious happened. It reignited the love and kept the series alive.

In the far future, mankind has quarantined the monsters of the world on an island called Monsterland and people no longer have to worry about their rampage. Until an alien race known as the Kilaak take control of the island and release the monsters onto the human race. Now a group of humans must work you to find a way to bring the monster under control and fight back against these alien invaders.

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This movie suffers from a bit too much human interaction. Captain Yamabe and his crew essentially save the planet but they aren’t exactly the most interesting bunch. Also there is the whole “earring” scene where Yamabe removes the device controlling her is a bit disturbing. I mean how many other scenes in movies involve ripping a woman’s earring off her? Not many or at least not in Kaiju scenes. Also, it probably wasn’t the best idea of the Kilaaks to decide not to leave any of the monsters at Monsterland, especially when they decide to make it their base of operations on Earth. For an advanced race they really seem to make a lot of stupid mistakes.

The monsters attacking the world is cool enough. Seeing them rampage at the different locations across the globe is definitely the highlight of the entire movie. The final fight scene at the base of Mount. Fuji is a pretty good beat down against King Ghidora. It would have been better if there had been more evil monsters for the Kilaaks to send against the monsters of Earth. Ghidora had previously defeated by a pair of monsters the last time he came into the picture in Godzilla vs. Monster Zero and in this movie he is terrible outnumbered to the point he doesn’t really stand a chance against the monsters of earth. Also, the whole, firebird monster turning out to be the Kilaak’s ship is totally lame.

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This was supposed to be Tohos last giant monster movie but it did so well they made more. It is good but it could have been better if their was more actual focus on the monsters instead of the humans. Still it resulted in more movies getting made so it’s influence can’t be overlooked.

RATING: C+

Monsters have often shown they are not too different from people. They often have feeling emotions, hopes, and goals. Sometimes they even have children. Today we look at one of the most famous monster children in existence, The Son of Godzilla.

On a supposedly deserted island, a group of scientists are working on a device which will control the weather. Unfortunately their work has caused radiation to leak out and have an effect on the environment. The most notable of these changes include the large mantis creatures called Kamacuras appearing and stumbling upon a discover, a large egg. When the egg hatches a new born member of Godzilla’s race emerges. Adopting the small creature as his own, Godzilla must protect and teach his young son Minilla the ways of the world. Still, will this new father be able to protect him from the looming threat of the giant spider Kumonga?

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Ill be the first admit Minilla has never been one of my favorite monsters. I had seen him in Godzilla’s Revenge so many times I had associated him with his incredibly dopey dub voice and mannerisms. He’s cute enough but in a more “he’s so goofy look he’s cute” kind of way. Frankly a much cuter monster was Little Godzilla with his Chibi like proportions. Minilla, other than being adopted by Godzilla really doesn’t have anything distinct going for him.

The other monsters introduced into this movie are far more memorable and intimidating than Minilla. The giant mantis Kamacuras became symbolized with being the cannon fodder character of Toho thanks to how many of these characters are introduced and destroyed in this film. Kumonga, the giant spider was also introduced. Surprisingly, despite my arachnophobia his appearance had never bothers me. Instead I rather liked watching Godzilla kick he large eight legged butt.

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This film isn’t without its redeeming qualities. The human characters are entertaining enough and the love story blossoming between Goro and Saeko is cute. Also, one of the biggest moments in this film comes with its ending. After a combined father son effort to defeat Kumonga, the pair try to escape the effects of the weather control device which is causing the island to become buried under snow. Minilla falls behind and instead of leaving his son to die, Godzilla comes back for him and holds him close to keep warm. This scene of the two of them being put into some type of natural suspended animation as they hug one another is a very touching scene which always tugs on the hearts of many fans.

The best way to wrap up this review would be to compare it to another film featuring a spawn of a Giant Monster, Son of Kong. Son of Kong is the better film but it is sadly not nearly as well known as this film. Thought this film does have the redeeming value of actually showing a father and a son interacting, it just isn’t as nearly as entertaining as watching the young ape try to step up and be the new contender on the island his father once called his kingdom. Sorry, Son of Godzilla, you did okay but there is far better Kaiju films out there and this is what hinders you most as a film.

RATING: C+