Destruction Through the Decades: Part Four Godzilla In The 1980's
(CHECK OUT PART THREE HERE)
Coming off of two decades full of classic Godzilla films, we find ourselves in a quiet hiatus. After Terror Of Mechagodzilla in 1975, there is a nine year gap between films. Toho had found that the films were not bringing in the audience as it was before, and Godzilla went into a cinematic hibernation. The decade of the 1980’s hit, and it took until midway through for Godzilla to make his monstrous return.
The 1980’s:
As it is, the 1980’s only have two entries into the Godzilla franchise, but both have a huge impact on the series and are highlights in the grand collection of films. Both films hold a darker tone, and feel a bit different than the Godzilla standard that had been established in the 1960’s and wore thin in the 1970’s. Let's look at the two entries, and see how Godzilla's return in this stage set up for a whole new batch of films to come.
THE RETURN OF GODZILLA
1984
DIRECTED BY KOJI HASHIMOTO
This film goes back to the roots of Godzilla, as we find him emerging from an erupting volcano to start us off. Godzilla returns to Japan, and as he heads to the mainland, he intercepts a Soviet submarine, destroying it to refuel himself and continue on to Japan. The submarine's sinking starts a tense standoff between the Americans and Soviets as Godzilla makes landfall and begins to destroy Japan. The introduction of the armored defense fortress, the Super X, is a last ditch effort by Japan to stop the monster. As Godzilla seems invincible, a homing device developed by a scientist is used to draw the monster to the mouth of a volcano, and Godzilla is eventually trapped inside the mountain with an explosive entombment.
A heavy Cold War influence permeates throughout this entry, and it’s overall darker and morose tone make it stand out. Now, this film had an American cut and release called Godzilla 1985, and that film is not really near the quality of this one, with some big parts cut out and a recast of Raymond Burr, who was in the American cut of the original Gojira. All in all, The Return of Godzilla is a solid way for the king of the monsters to get back on track. Notably, this is also the first film in the Heisei era, but does not quite fit the mold of the films that follow.
GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE
1989
DIRECTED BY KAZUKI OMORI
After the events of The Return Of Godzilla, many of Godzilla's cells are being used for top secret scientific experiments. One experiment is to fuse his cells with plants to create a fertile area in a place called Saradia. A Japanese scientist and his daughter go to work on it, but after a terrorist bombing in the facility, the scientist's daughter dies. The scientist later merges his deceased daughter's cell with a rose, to preserve her soul. Eventually, he is given access to Godzilla's cell, and fuses it with that same rose. The fusion creates a plant like hybrid monster, named Biollante. Meanwhile, feuding biological corporations plant bombs and threaten to detonate them and release Godzilla, which they do. Biollante and Godzilla duel, and Godzilla wins initially, but heads back to Japan to cause more damage. Biollante heals itself as Godzilla continues on despite the best efforts of the military. Eventually, Godzilla and Biollante come to blows once more, with Godzilla emerging victorious.
The summary I gave cannot even come close to truly explaining the amount of story that unfolds in the film. In perhaps the most original Godzilla film, we have psychics, plant hybrid monsters with human soul connections, assassins, and political intrigue all mixed in. It feels like an ‘80s action film mixed with a kaiju film, and it takes very bold steps into being something familiar yet different all at once. Terrific monster designs also add to the atmosphere. If you ever have a chance, it is a must watch.
And with that, the 1980’s came and went. Two Godzilla films were made, and each was a breath of fresh air into the Godzilla franchise. While it was not as packed with entries, this decade lead to the resurgence that followed in the 1990’s. The Heisei era was upon us, and from it we would find a new lineage of Godzilla films that would stand apart and really define their own era.
Stay tuned for part five coming next month!
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