Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975)

Director: Ishiro Honda

Written by: Yukiko Takayama

In this direct sequel to Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla, veteran director and ‘father’ of Godzilla, Ishiro Honda, returns to the chair one final time.

When scientists search the ocean floor for MechaGodzilla’s remains (why they do this when he was defeated on land I have no idea) not surprisingly they find nothing except the long dormant Titanosaurus, which promptly destroys the submarine and sparks a group of marine biologists to learn more about the creature.

Their research leads them to a disgraced scientist, who has faked his death and allied with the Gorilla aliens from the last film, in return for them saving his daughter's life. His now cyborg offspring holds the key to controlling both Titanosaurus and the new, improved MechaGodzilla.

Despite Godzilla still being firmly rooted in ‘hero’ mode, there are a lot of dark moments in this send-off to the Showa Era. Heroes die and commit the ultimate sacrifice to save the day, whilst grappling with themes of parental neglect, revenge, and betrayal.

For this movie, the MegaroGoji suit underwent significant alterations. The muzzle was trimmed down and enriched with additional intricacies. Additionally, the height of the brows was lowered, and the size of the eyes was decreased, resulting in a face that conveyed a blend of both humor and menace. Notably, the eyes remained static without any ability to move or blink. The rest of the body retained its original design. This version of the suit is also referred to as the MekaGyakushuGoji.

The Titanosaurus reflects the skill with which the suit designers had perfected their craft. Part eel, part fish, and part dragon, it proved a unique and visually stunning addition to the Kaiju roster.

Despite the skill with which the movie was made, it sadly underperformed at the box office leading to a nearly 10-year hiatus until Godzilla would stomp back onto our screens. But when he did return, it was the dawning of a new era.

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