GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE (1989)

4 stars

Criterion UK. 4K UHD/Blu ray. Out Now

Gojiro tai Biollante

Great to see some of the long running Godzilla films being put out on 4K UHD – though GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE, which is the 17th in the franchise, isn’t necessarily the best known.

The film starts with graphics describing the various threat levels that Japan faces when the Big G is around. Alert Level 4 is the highest – when it is certain that the monster is going to make landfall and destruction begins (you know, the level we all want to see).

After a spot of citywide demolition, Godzilla falls into the mouth of a lava spewing volcano. Whilst authorities are assessing the damage, and retrieving Space X from the rubble, there is a running battle between a trio of US troops and some Japanese, as the Americans have retrieved some cells of the giant lizard. We are treated to a disco version of the familiar Godzilla music! They don’t get very far as a lone gunman shoots them and retrieves the canister containing the DNA and takes it off to a biotech research facility in Saradia. There the cells are combined with plants that have been genetically modified. Which we know isn’t going to end well!

Dr. Genshiro Shirigami (Kôji Takahashi) and his daughter Erika are part of the project – but she is killed when a terrorist bomb targets the lab. However Shirigami has a way of kind of reviving her. Meanwhile, other scientists there are using the DNA to hopefully create a ‘weapon’ that can combat Godzilla if he ever returns.

Before long, of course, the monster is back and is up against a new creature in the shape of Biollante which starts off as a kind of giant rose then morphs into something way more sharp toothed. Much fighting ensues…

The original story for this outing by Shinichiro Kobayashi, who was a dentist, came about because of a contest that was held by Toho in 1985, which had over 5000 entries. The film was originally to be made then, but was scrapped when KING KONG LIVES (1986) bombed at the box office (which if you have seen the film will not come as a shock to you). The project was revived in 1989 to celebrate Godzilla’s 35th Anniversary. Despite a large budget it was not a success when first released but has since gone on to be a fan favourite apparently. The failure lead the studio into making films with more familiar kaiju up against G.

For me this isn’t one of the best in the series, it is quite talky and mainly has Godzilla up against anything but Biollante until the end’s epic battle. A little bit too much “plot” for my liking – I much prefer the monster bash releases! Not enough creature chaos. Lots of the dialogue is in English so you get burnt in Japanese subs over those scenes. The 4K disc has the film on it, and the commentary whilst the Blu ray has the film, commentary and the extras

EXTRAS

3 stars

audio commentary featuring film historian Samm Deighan, host of the podcast Eros + Massacre and coeditor of the book Revolution in 35mm

Making-of programme from 1993 featuring director Kazuki Omori and special-effects director Koichi Kawakita, special-effects cinematographer Kenichi Eguchi among others. Lots of behind the scenes footage of shooting the effects. (49 mins)

Behind the scenes documentary from 1993 about the Biollante and Super X2 vehicle concepts. Narrated by special-effects director Kawakita (3 mins)

Deleted special effects – silent reel of footage excised from the film (6 mins)

5 x TV spots and 7 x trailers

PLUS: An essay by science-fiction and horror film expert Jim Cirronella and a new cover by Eric Powell