Godzilla Raids Again (1955)

“We’ve spotted a Godzilla-like object”,  22 December 2020

Godzilla Raids Again almost feels like two different movies put together.  In the first half, Godzilla brings a pal named Angurius to Osaka for some monster fighting action.  In the second half, the Japanese military attempts to trap Godzilla on an island before he can do any further damage.  

The first Godzilla movie is a solemn, cautionary tale.  Bringing back your monster for a battle royale might be fun, but it can’t and doesn’t have the same impart as the first.  The symbolism of Godzilla is not the same.  However, Godzilla Raids Again is fun - probably more fun than the first. Watching Godzilla and Co destroy a city is always worth the price of admission.  And this is where Godzilla Raids Again shines.  We’re treated to the usual quality miniatures you expect from a Toho film.  It’s truly amazing work.  

As much as I enjoyed the first half, I wasn’t a huge fan of Angurius.  First, the design is bad.  I’m not exactly sure what it’s supposed to be.  Second, anytime you put a man in a rubber suit and ask him to go on all fours, it looks silly.  Another issue I had was with the film’s pacing throughout.  The flow of the film really bogs down anytime we switch from monsters to people talking - and they do a lot of talking.  In addition, I could have really done without that musical interlude or the dinner party.   

Even though I didn’t like much of the conversation, there are a few nuggets of entertainment (maybe unintentional) to be had.  Godzilla has just destroyed most of the city you live in.  You’re busy going through smoldering rubble the next morning.  Sounds like an ideal time to stop and make a series of jokes about the dating habits of one of your coworkers.  And what about the tagline I used for this, “We’ve spotted a Godzilla-like object”.  Wonder what that could be?  Good stuff!

5/10