At its core, this is a film about people, the relationships between people, and how they grow through those relationships... it just so happens to set to the backdrop of two giant monsters fighting.

The second and in my opinion best Godzilla film by director Masaaki Tezuka, GODZILLA X MECHAGODZILLA tells a story of a pilot (played by Yumiko Shaku) who seeks redemption and eventually self worth after a tragedy caused by Godzilla. The tool of her redemption: a mechanical biorobot named Kiryu (Mechagodzilla) whom is built from the bones of the original Godzilla. On this journey, Akane finds reason to have self worth and redeem her life in her eyes due to the interactions she has with her teammates, friends, and a mysterious child named Sara (played by Kana Onodera, in the best child performance in a Godzilla film) with a tragic past of her own. All the while, her superiors and the Prime Minister must deal with the fallout and struggles of maintaining Kiryu in the face of potential failure and the ever-present danger of Godzilla.

With great effects and action by Yuichi Kikuchi, a cast of lovable and developed characters, a well paced and interesting story by Wataru Mimura, and a fantastic and beautiful score by Michiru Oshima, GODZILLA X MECHAGODZILLA is a well made, optimistic, and at times poignant entry in the franchise that is about how precious and important every life is and how the people around us can often shape us to be better people.

In my opinion the very best entry in the Godzilla franchise.

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Mr. Mumble is a 1996 unofficial Hong Kong adaptation of the Japanese manga/anime City Hunter, and honestly it’s pretty awesome. Not only is it a for the most part solid adaptation of the manga/anime (moreso than the 1993 Jackie Chan version and much moreso than the Kdrama) but it is also a fun, raunchy, and great lil’ Hong Kong action/comedy. It feels just like it could’ve been episode of the anime, in fact with the way it goes it actually feels like it could’ve almost been a prequel to the events of the anime with how the events like Ryo Saeba’s profession unfold. It’s well directed, the action is great, like the show it perfectly balances funny and serious tones. As for casting, Micheal Chow is perfect casting as Ryo Saeba (Mr. Mumble), as is Francoise Yip (Rumble in the Bronx) as Saeko, and Umibozu's actor smoothly fits into his role.

The only problem I have is that I think Kaori (or her expy) could’ve been done a bit better and could’ve fit better into the story, but aside from that it’s a pretty faithful story that feels like it could fit right into the anime. Overall, Mr. Mumble is both a solid adaptation and a great fun action movie. Definitely one of the best anime adaptations out there and something I think fans of City Hunter as well as Hong Kong action films would enjoy.

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