@@FuzztasticFilms I guess it's forgettable. It has likeable characters, decent subplots that carry through the film (though the prison break is just random), and the monster fight is okay. It made Anguirus one of my instant favorites. But nothing about it had that "oomph" like the first did. The music was certainly lacking. Though I do appreciate that low, slow dredge that was played during the kaiju battle. Felt hopeless. But it was basically a "production line" sequel, in that it was greenlit, written, and filmed in less than a year after the first. Thus it feels shallow compared to its predecessor. Then the suits were lost and the botched American production... Eh. Whole other story.
It is overhated because big Godzilla youtubers like Dman directly compare this movie to the first Godzilla movie and unfairly shit on this movie calling it the worst Godzilla movie even though objectively there are FAR worse movies like Godzilla's Revenge, Godzilla 1998, and etc., but their fan base ran with their opinion. People for some strange reason are more lenient towards a lazily made movie full of stock footage with a poorly executed message and a movie that completely disrespects Godzilla than an at best rushed cash grab movie, it's delusional. Godzilla Raids Again is flawed and more light hearted than the first movie, but at the end of the day, it is still a decent movie with solid acting, serviceable story, and it still takes Godzilla very seriously every time he shows up or is mentioned in the film and it is the first movie to start the Monster brawl phase of the showa era.
@@TaylorTLK To be fair to Godzilla 1998, if they had called it a remake from Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, it wouldn't have gotten such hate. Ignoring the "Godzilla" connection, it's a decent cheesey popcorn flick.
Godzilla is a sea dragon dark spirit monster who terrorized Odo Island for thousands of years maybe more before he was nuked. The nuke supercharged his fire breath
You made me realize there's in fact not two different girls and I'm just dumb. I didn't see the love triangle, I think I just wasn't invested in the movie enough. I don't even hate it, I just never think about it.
@@T.Rek.ReviewsWell, that sucks. I always thought he had a crush on the woman Hidemi work with. The main thing I didn't like about this movie was that Kobyashi was finally going to find love, and then they kill him off. As someone who has failed to find love for 50 years that hit me hard. However, it's completely different if he was trying to get with his best friend's girl. Also, I agree the prison break was stupid.
@@T.Rek.ReviewsI am mind blown at this revelation lol. I’ve been a fan of the franchise for nearly 30 years and I always thought Kobiyashi was in love with Hedemi’s coworker. 🤯 My brain: Whaaaaaaaaaat
I will never understand the hate this movie gets, it's no masterpiece but it's a good follow up, it has likeable characters, a larger Threat and i for one really like that it deals more with working class civilians and how they deal with the situation kinda makes me wonder if Minus One took some inspiration from this movie in that regard
I actually really liked Godzilla Raids Again. I think it was primarily the way Godzilla sounded when he roared, and the geninuine unnerving dread that filled me. Granted i think i was still running off the high of watching Minus One, but i enjoyed it all the same.
Oh yeah, Minus One is such a good movie I imagine anything would feel better with it. Literally cannot wait for Minus One to get a 4k release worldwide.
I gotta agree. This movie is underrated soley because of the Godzilla design and how the monsters moved fast. Honestly I find it realistic how they are fast. And I liked the ragged teeth in Godzilla's suit. Honestly I give this movie a 7 or 8/10
I'm one of like 3 people who actually likes this film, namely because there isn't really anything else like it. It starts like a versus movie and ends like a solo Godzilla movie. The monsters are treated like animals fighting for territory instead of natural disasters. It's a bizarre evolutionary middle ground between 1954 and the later versus films which is fascinating to me. Also I like how unnerving Godzilla's design is in this movie. My favorite shot either has to be the one where he side eyes the camera or the whole sequence of him rising out of the water.
7:47 in 1954, when godzilla was first spotted on the shore, and was about to make his first attack in Tokyo. Here Dr. Yamane tells a soldier "Then tell your CO not to shine searchlights on Godzilla. It'll only make it angrier!"
Imagine if the movie wasn’t rushed and Ishiro Honda was available to direct, it probably could’ve turned out better. Ever heard of Motoyoshi Oda’s Invisible Avenger?
I think there are three reasons this film doesn’t get much recognition. Without Honda’s direction, it is a fairly generic monster picture (which is actually OK with me) lacking in subtext. The English dub is truly hysterically bad, especially the initial scene where the scientists discuss what the new monsters might be - the English dialog just makes no sense. And finally, for those of us who have been watching Godzilla since before home media even existed (gasp!) this is one of the only SHOWA films that was not syndicated to TV in the 1960s and 70s, so until VHS came out it was pretty unknown to the casual Godzilla enthusiast. Nice video. I never thought there was a love triangle though, I thought the crush was on the second telephone girl. On a side note the Shout Factory DVD (I think they were the first to release this on DVD) has my favorite audio commentary track of any of the films. Very interesting and informative.
A lotta replies have been going over how the English dub was the truly hated version of the film, I'll have to watch it again to see. I still have the Classic Media Godzilla collection from 2006ish, so I have a copy the American version. Actually the same DVD I used as a prop in the video even though I grabbed footage from the Criterion release, lol. Also That's a very interesting piece of info about Raids Again. Never heard that fact anywhere else, and yeah. I could easily see how the lack of Television play would make it unappealing due to obscurity.
Up until i've checked to like the video i didn't noticed that this is a brand new channel dedicated to reviews for movies and books and this is your first godzilla reviews. Your style of wording really helps set the tone for the video which adds it's charm to your stand of view towards this movie. Great video if i do say so myself, love the collection you got as well.
I love the fact that they undercranked the footage of Godzilla and Anguirus in battle, so when it's projected at normal speed it looks intense. It makes it look like a real battle between animals (well, you still have to ignore the rubbery quality of the suits). Seriously, go have a look at footage two predatory animals fighting each other. Anguirus is like a crazed wolverine here. I always liked the fact that he was scrappy and aggressive, in spite of having little formidable powers other than his teeth and claws. And there's a clear winner here, with Godzilla putting a brutal end to his opponent, just as a real animal would. I never really was a fan of the slow, ponderous movements of kaiju in most of these films.
There is no love triangle there. If you look at it through Japanese eyes, you can easily tell that she is a different woman. Probably a high school girl who just graduated. Young and very cute. Hidemi is smiling at the gap between her and Kobayashi.
Repeat after me: Sue-key-oh-kah=Tsukioka He-dem-e=Hidemi Yah-man-eh=Yamane See? 😉 Yamane actually does tell a soldier helping an evacuation effort not to shine spotlights into Godzilla's face right before the iconic train attack in the original, since they agitate him. It's reasonable to conclude that after being driven closer to Tokyo from the failed naval bombing, Godzilla is already pissed off, & Tokyo's lights don't help the situation. I actually did a combo edit of the first two films recently, & was surprised by how well they flowed into each other. Granted, Serizawa & the Oxygen Destroyer are cut out of the edit, as is any indication of a second Godzilla. But as a whole, it works as a post-war symbolic exploration of Japan in the decade that gave us the Cold War, unable to completely avoid the clashing nuclear powers of Godzilla (America) & Anguirus (Russia), but still carrying on with life regardless. I actually admire the optimistic attitude of the Raids Again cast over the original's dour one, though I understand why it was that way. Great review, & keep up the good work! 😁
God bless you for the name pronunciations. I swear the first time I got to the names while doing the voice over, I started laughing at how much I knew I was butchering these poor names. And thank ya for the nice comment at the end there. I hope to continue making videos that people enjoy.
The biggest crime of this movie is that it wasn’t followed up by “Bride of Godzilla” look up a synopsis of that film. That would have been an absolute trip.
I have to say I'm a big fan of the faster fighting, at least as a novelty for this movie only. Combined with the black and white filming and minimal soundtrack, it really creates an ominous atmosphere that you touched on in the video. I definitely wouldnt want to see sped-up footage in every monster movie going forward but for this one, it gives the movie a unique feel that works to its advantage.
Godzilla raids again was a great film, it was when the US tried to turn it into something else made it terrible. This was a younger Godzilla, it was meant to be a second Godzilla since the original costume was stolen. The only thing bad about this movie was the fact that the music wasn’t there.
It's hands down one of my all time favorite in the series. Still in black and white, still has the OG roar from the first film, and it's cheesy yet classy in that B-movie sense
Hit there T-Rek-Reviews. Love your review of this movie. I think it is underrated as well. In it, Tsukioka and Kobayashi find a cave on Iwato Island. Strange vegetation is found growing outside of it and they go inside to explore. They hear Godzilla's roars and it chases them out of the cave. only for it to try to grab at them while they are hiding in a crevase, but before Godzilla could grab them, Anguirus appears from the sea and battles Godzilla. Before Godzilla and Anguirus appear in Osaka, Anguirus attacks Okinawa, with the US military battling it. I also added in a backstory where the characters of Kobayashi and Tsukioka were once Japanese air force pilots during the war. Instead of using the flares to distract Godzilla from coming to Osaka they use them to lure him into a trap. They fire two explosives into his legs, similar to a plan used in Heisei film Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2 (1993). But because of Godzilla healing factor, he just stands back up, just as Anguirus appears and they do battle in Osaka. Instead of killing Anguirus in Osaka, he manages to flee and Godzilla follows him to the snow covered island. He is killed there and the Japanese military manages to trap him in ice. If you have any ideas to make the film better, please replay. PS, In the first film, Doctor Yamane did warn the military not to use searchlights or bright lights on Godzilla because it would make him angry. It was at the 45 minute mark where Godzilla first attacks. Just to let you know.
Honestly, how can it be over-hated? If anything, it was one of the more obscure Godzilla films for many years, we didn't even get it on DVD until the mid-to-late 2000's. Yeah, the first GODZILLA was a tough act to follow, but that shouldn't fully count against this first sequel. Besides, it gave us Anguirus.
This was my first Godzilla movie - saw it at the theater under the name Gigantis the Fire Monster in 1959 when I was 5. It is still one of my favorites. My problem with the sped up movements of Godzilla and Anguirus is these are immense creatures who just can't move that much mass that quickly. Slow movements are more realistic but we are talking about a Godzilla movie. The Japanese version is definitely better than the American version, but I like them both.
I personally don’t think there is one Godzilla movie that is bad in every single aspect, each movie has a goal/motive/Message and I think that each movie does what it’s set out do it at the cost of some minor issues but I love every single Godzilla Film *Sees* 98. A good Kaiju movie just not a Godzilla Movie
The change in appearance makes sense as it is a different Godzilla. But yeah, the whole movie is a bit off compared to the first. The Japanese version at least has some depth to it whereas the American version seems completely inept.
Prof. Ogami's talk about the Kaijus is the same explanation Sarazawa gave in the 2018 remake: these creatures lived on the surface when the world was more radioactive. When the levels dropped they went underground or underwater to be closer to radioactive source material, This part happens when he is recounting the first Gojira attack this Gojira is not the original since the original one was killed by Sarazawa oxygen destroyer.
I always loved Raids Again, the film is about post war Japan now living between two huge beasts aka America and the Soviet Union. The ONLY issue I have with it is some monster fight scenes are not properly slowed down so the film has some too fast moments
Some of the dialogue in the English-dubbed version was ridiculous, but I still enjoyed "Godzilla Raids Again" despite the script and some of the overdone fights beteen Godzilla and the Anguirus. In black and white, however, the film succeeds as a pretty good sci-fi sequel to Godzilla (1954)!
over the past couple of months, me and my boyfriend have been watching all of the godzilla films in order (with the only change being GXK before minus one) and ive got to say...... this movie is low, but could never be the worst. at best it brought us anguirus, at worst its boring. it suffers from being a bad godzilla sequel, but if it was the third or fourth film it would be better / been better received. All monsters attack is objectively worse in so many ways, but the absurdity can occasionally be fun. Speaking of, i think you should do a video on All monsters attack and how weird it is that its basically an anti-bullying godzilla movie
You sure this is the most over hated Godzilla film? Cause last time I checked Godzilla raids again didn't get disowned by the fandom, get shade thrown at it by ToHo and was wasn't murdered on screen just for existing.
There are at least 5 that are way way worse. The worst in my opinion is Godzillas revenge, then the smog monster, destroy all monsters, megalon, and a few more. Gigantis the fire monster wasn't that bad. It wasn't good, but there's worse.
I didn't see this movie until less than ten years ago (don't remember exactly when); I'd seen EVERY other Showa Era Godzilla film at least once well before that. It's...decent. Not great but not as horrendous as some people would make out.
I like Gigantis the Fire Monster... which I have only on DVD so it's not going to be long before that one becomes lost media. Being a better example of a C grade 50s B movie is better than claiming yourself to be Gojira Come Again but failing to do so on every level. 2:57 Puppet. Damn, the puppets in this one are so.... CONSTANT 5:56 Those are puppets. Are you aware what puppets are as I'm really getting curious now? Do you need me to go though and mark which are which? 6:05 suits. 6:35 puppet 6:44 puppet 6:50 suits 6:52 puppets. Do you see it yet? In the art of suitmation, we don't talk about puppets but we probably should.
Admittedly I didn't watch Gigantis for this video, seeing how I was only focusing on the original version. And yeah, as much as I liked the Criterion Collection Godzilla set, I was sad to see it didn't include many of the American versions of the films, so better hold onto the DVD! Also I know of the puppets, I just didn't mention them because it wasn't important to the video.
I'd say Raids Again is pretty interesting, at meast when it comes to kaiju action. It ain't the best Godzilla movie, as it drags by the end, but I found it way better than what people say it to be
I honestly thought his crush was the other phone relay girl. I think part of the over-hate came from the English dub, with 'Gigantis', the sing-songy narrator ('The Happy People Were Happy In Their Happiness and All Were Happy') and the explanation of the dinosaur book being even goofier. Just like Son Of Kong, it was taken as poor DLC despite its good points.
@@legiontheatregroup I'm still set to read the whole thing, but I skipped to the scene in question. Hidemi id's the girl with pigtails as being someone else - not her fellow operator (maybe that was a Gigantis edit?) but in any event in the novelization the woman or girl is not herself, and her regret is for the other and poor Kobayashi, not for feelings unspoken. But I must add a caveat: The excellent novelization of 54 + Raids do seem to differ slightly from on-screen. For example, the Odo Island attack does include the cow - and even mentions a young girl being devoured, and I have never heard of that one. I know Toho has a G-doesn't-eat-Humans rule, so maybe it was proposed but cut and unlike the cow, not even attempted. Point being, this novelization may not settle things as we hoped. Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't bring up how Super 7/ReAction has brought out figures of G55, Anguirus 55, and best of all, a figure they call G1957, supposedly based on the lost 'Volcano Monsters' costume. At 20-25 apiece, they rule!
@@shoresean1237 thank you so much, that was great info! I may have to watch this again soon because I just can't imagine the love triangle being there. I admit though that I only watched the Japanese language version once, so it may have just been de-emphasized in the (really bizarre) American dub. Interesting, but as you say inconclusive, that it was not a love triangle in the novelization. I did not know about the Super 7 release, thank you. That Godzilla costume in itself is a mystery to me. There is a vintage photo online appearing to indicate a new and unique Gojira suit was made just for Volcano Monsters. Presumably this suit was shipped to America for filming. Yet, in the excellent commentary for the Classic Media DVD release of Raids Again, a story is recounted by someone in the industry who came upon the crated costumes accidentally back around 1960 or so. And he recalled something that stood out to him was that the Godzilla suit had burn marks on it where pyrotechnics had been used during filming. But...Volcano Monsters was never filmed, so how would a new suit get burned by pyrotechnics? I think this will forever remain as mysterious as the source of the stock footage of "early prehistoric life" (loosely resembling something made with pipe cleaners) in the US version of this film....
I thought it was good. Not as great as the first, but which one of the sequels was? Now Rhodan- that was truly a horror drama like the original Godzilla. And things went downhill from there.... Also, I thought the other fish spotter was in love with the other radio girl??? Maybe I can't tell them apart. Lastly, I remember the Doctor showing a film about Anguirus and how he was a "fire monster." And I remember the title being, "Godzilla Versus the Fire Monster." And instead of a long Godzilla scene, they showed a film about how Anguirus was an ancient class of monsters that evolved early on. They ate fire, lived in fire, etc. It was obviously made with puppets on strings too. I thought that might be due to the Dr. saying something along the lines of, "This is how Anguris lived." Did I have a Mandela moment? Or was that the Japanese version with subtitles I saw??
I think the film itself is ok. Certainly not the best or the worst. I really, really don't like the head on this design, though. It also has the most obnoxious name out of all the suits: GyakushuGoji. I know it's based on the title of the film, but the big ears, the jagged ass teeth, and that AWFUL stare when you see it head on. There's a reason people like to use images of this suite for analog horror.
They could have made a better explanation for godzilla turning back to Osaka instead of the fire by using the reason they literally say ten minutes later. Just use anguirus as the reason for him to change course, they hate each other, so why not make them go out of their ways to kill one another. On top of that, Hidemi's father says that Anguirus was brought there by the flares that drive off Godzillla. It would have made more sense than a half-baked prison sequence that is only there because tsuburaya wanted to show he could super-impose prisoners over flooded miniatures.
@davidlafleche1142 yeah. I love the movie itself, easily in my top five for favorite showa films along side the Original and mechagodzilla films. But THAT scene is so obviously tacked on that it makes the film worse for me. On a side note, what did you think of my proposed change?
Sorry if you want the worst Godzilla film then look at the film with Matthew Broderick...bare in mind this film was well over 60 years old and didn't have the budget as they did in the 90s
The "hi" in hidemi comes from the "hi" in "history," the "de" in hidemi comes from the "de" in "debt," and the "mi" in hidemi comes from the "mi" in "Michigan."
I would argue most kaiju fans view Godzilla Raids Again is just considered underwhelming compared to LITERALLY THE BEST KAIJU FILM EVER MADE , so it makes sense that an excellent film after an alright little movie would make it seem much worse than it is.
I think the other problem is a lot of people only know from the English dub version which totally destroys the love sub plot and cheapens the death at the end.
I saw this movie as a kid under the title Gigantis,the Fire Monster expecting a different kaiju at the first scene where the monsters are fighting I'm like wait a minute that's Godzilla and he's supposed to be dead. This is 1956 or there abouts it was a double bill 12:17 l with Teenagers from Outer Space man that one was a stinker,voyage to the bottom of the barrel.
The American cut of the film always pissed me off, with how they gave Godzilla Anguirus's roar and downplayed that it was Godzilla. Other than that I have the same beef most people have. I thought Godzilla looked like terrible bucktooth googly-eyed mess, the fast camera speed, (which I've read was a choice to make the fights look more wild and ferocious, dunno.. perhaps someone was just trying to save face) several camera- shots make Goji look small, and I didn't find the story or characters to be compelling or entertaining. That being said, it's still better than All Monsters Attack (Godzilla's Revenge).
Bud- you're full of SH*T! The MOST Hated movie in the Series is Godzilla 1998( then maybe "Godzilla's Revenge"!?!)keep trying, MAYBE one day you'll actually do a good video
