Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)

Godzilla and the humans learned a valuable lesson about butterflies/moths in this movie. Don't tick them off!

Godzilla vs Mothra was jammed packed with Kaiju and action. There was an asteroid, volcanic eruption, forest clearing megalomaniacs, a bickering divorced couple, the usual hapless leaders and military, and a Shobijin kidnapping! Mothra was usually a defender of Japan and the Earth. There were three things that would cause her to go into battle mode--(1) Godzilla or some other monster starts tearing up Japan, (2) people abusing the environment, and (3) anyone who messes with her besties, the Cosmos/Shobijin. Godzilla and the humans managed to check off all three.

Godzilla was awakened when an asteroid hit nearby where he was sleeping. It also uncovered Mothra's egg. And the collision awakened Battra, Mothra's evil twin. Godzilla wanted to be rid of Mothra's egg, and no wonder, she was the only Kaiju (aside from one other female) who had been able to run him out of town. After her caterpillar form and Battra's drove him off, he headed to Japan to start destroying things. Battra, judge and destroyer of those who abuse the Earth, was out to end the humans, leaving Mothra with the task of brokering peace and cleaning up the Kaiju mess. Greedy humans had kidnapped her BFF, the Cosmos/Shobijin which caused her to go on a tear as well. Once the Cosmos were safe she turned her attention to Godzilla and Battra.

Godzilla vs Mothra was good fun. Ifukube Akira's score perfectly fit the mood. I'm always happy to hear the Mosura song sung by the Cosmos. The cinematography was better than usual as well. The less said about the humans, the better. Odaka Megumi was back with her ESP connections, a part of the Heisei legacy I've never been able to embrace . The human story worked because it was closely connected to the monsters, especially Mothra. Godzilla's, Battra's, and Mothra's interactions with each other and the humans were well woven throughout the movie. Best of all there were not huge swaths of time where the monsters were absent. Of course, there were plot holes Big G could have stomped through, but they didn't take away from the enjoyment of the movie.

Godzilla and Battra looked properly menacing while Mothra had a cuddlier look. Cuddly for a giant creature who was able to do battle with Godzilla and could crush Japan if she had a mind to.

If you enjoy Godzilla movies with guys in big rubber suits and a butterfly which looked like it was made out of pipe cleaners, this is definitely one to try.

October 6, 2021

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