Godzilla vs. Megaguirus

Columbia/Tristar | minutes | | | Standard DVD reviewed by: Fusion3600

The exact power of black holes is unknown, but it is known that the black holes possess some kind of incredible properties. If one could harness the intense power of a black hole, that person could wield immense control, perhaps over the entire world. A device known as the Dimension Tide has the potential to create black holes, ones that can be controlled, but could still be used for nefarious purposes. The device could also be the source for unknown dangers, as no one is sure what side effects could surface. As it turns out, the use of the device causes the presence of some unusual eggs. The eggs are located in the town of Shibuya, which is home to a large number of people and business contacts. Soon enough, the eggs hatch and from within come strange creatures known as Meganurons. These beings need water in order to evolve, so within a short time, the town is flooded. Now the Meganurons can grow into larger creatures and beyond that, the water allows them to multiply their presence. They can also feed off the energy of the citizens, which in turn transforms them into Megaguirus. This new massive form requires even more energy, as it wishes to sustain the larvae of the queen. But the only source with enough energy is Godzilla, but will even the mean green machine be able to survive this battle?

If you think Freddy and Jason have cinematic staying power, what about Japan's monster of choice, Godzilla? The big green mean has terrorized Tokyo more times than we could count, in a series of wild, fun motion pictures. The first Godzilla was released back in 1954, but the series has remained quite active since. Godzilla vs. Megaguirus was a 2000 release, but it has just now hit American shelves, some four years down the road. Godzilla still has the chops, as he proves in this more than solid installment. I wouldn't rank this as one of the best efforts in the franchise, but it is a fun, well crafted picture. I was pleased to see the Meganurons back, as they were cool in the kaiju classic Rodan. A return to a mystical storyline is also welcome, though Godzilla has been in some much better battles than this. I could never tire of seeing him stomp through the urban landscape, but some better ideas could have really enhanced the fight scenes. So not an elite level Godzilla epic, but one which has its moments and had solid potential, even if it misses the mark at times. Columbia's disc has great technical stats, with a new anamorphic transfer and the original language track, but lacks extras of any kind. Even so, this is a step in the right direction, so fans of Godzilla shouldn't hesitate to snatch this release.

Godzilla vs. Megaguirus is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. If you've seen some of the terrible transfers out there for Godzilla movies, then you'll be delighted by Columbia's top notch treatment. The print is in good condition, with only a few minor instances of debris, while grain is never an issue. This allows the visuals to come across unhindered, so the image is crisp and detail is high. I found the colors to be bold and vivid, with no signs of error to mention, while flesh tones were accurate as well. No real concerns with contrast either, as black levels remain deep and consistent throughout. In other words, this is a slam dunk transfer from Columbia, so fans can look forward to one heck of a visual presentation.

In a move that sure to thrill fans, this release includes the original Japanese soundtrack, in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, no less. This is a fantastic inclusion, as we can view the film as it was intended, so let's hope Columbia continues this trend with their future kaiju releases. The mix is quite good too, as the smashes, crashes, and bashes of the film offer ample chances for the surrounds to show off. Whenever Godzilla starts to trash the town, the surrounds come to life and put you right in the middle of the chaos. So when glass breaks and buildings collapse, you might find yourself ducking for cover in your own home. The mix doesn't have the sheer power of the elite level soundtracks out there, but it has some punch and sounds terrific. The dialogue is clean also, while the music is full and rich as well. This disc also includes a new English language track, as well as subtitles in English and French.

This disc includes no bonus materials.