FROM MY CRITERION COLLECTION - 'Godzilla vs. Biollante' (1989)

"Godzilla vs. Biollante" (1989)

In 1975, after the release of “Terror of Mechagodzilla”, Toho Co. decided to give Godzilla a bit of a rest, thus ending the Showa era that began with the original “Godzilla” in 1954. In 1984, though, on Godzilla’s 30th anniversary, Toho brought the big bad kaiju back in a big way. “The Return of Godzilla” brought the series back to its darker, more serious roots.

Once again, Godzilla was a force of nature that once again terrorized Tokyo. It ignored the storylines of all previous films except for the original movie. It was bigger, badder, and better than ever. Still, even though the movie was praised for the updated special-effects and the return to a more serious tone, the movie was somewhat criticized for having a “been there, done that” feel.

So, for the next film in the series, the filmmakers wanted to create a story that would address another potentially grave threat to humanity in the then-modern times of the late 1980s. One thing that was on people’s minds, almost on the level of nuclear fears, was the fear of biological weapons engineered by man to use against the enemy.

Godzilla and Biollante square off in the second film from the Heisei era!

Therefore, “Godzilla vs. Biollante” was born. The story involves a grieving scientist who previously lost his daughter. He has engineered a new plant with the cells of his daughter, the cells of a rose, and the cells of Godzilla which were recovered from residue left behind after his previous attack. Eventually, the plant mutates into a giant monster.

Meanwhile, Godzilla has been dormant inside the volcano that he was thrown into at the end of “The Return of Godzilla”. However, the threat of an eruption means that he could soon escape his natural prison. In fact, the eruption is helped along after a failed American plot to get Japan’s Godzilla cells when bombs they set around the volcano go off and unleash the King of the Monsters once again.

Of course, as the title suggests, Godzilla and Biollante eventually duke it out in two major battles that are some of the best ever committed to film during this era, known as the Heisei era. In between the battles, Japanese forces are desperately trying to find ways to stop Godzilla as he once again threatens Japanese cities.

Meanwhile, humanity is still trying to stop the menacing King of the Monsters!

With all of the classic Godzilla films that I’ve seen over the years, “Godzilla vs. Biollante” is one of my absolute favorites. The special-effects are, for the most part, extremely well executed and hold up surprisingly well even today. Now, if you’re not a fan of the old “suitmation” effects used to bring Godzilla to life, then this film won’t win you over, but the story just might.

The movie is bonkers in places. There’s a spy storyline involving crazy Americans, an assassin from a Middle Eastern country, and Japan’s own forces. There’s a special girl who has strong ESP abilities and, as mentioned before, a giant plant monster that has not only Godzilla’s cells, but the cells of a scientist’s daughter whose spirit may just inhabit the huge monster.

Still, despite its more fantastical themes and plotlines, the movie remains surprisingly grounded like its predecessor. Godzilla is not a force for good or even an antihero. He is still a threatening monster that Japan is desperate to stop by any means necessary.

My only real criticism for the movie is the music by Koichi Sugiyama. Beyond using Godzilla’s iconic theme here and there, the score is slightly distracting and it feels generic and doesn’t fail to remind you that this movie was made in the 1980s.

The score and a few wacky moments aside, though, I can’t help but recommend this movie to anyone who claims to be a fan of Godzilla. I’m a little surprised that this also seems to be the only film the Criterion Collection has released physically from the Heisei era as of this writing. 

I’m hoping that maybe they’re thinking of releasing a collection like they did for the Showa era, but for the time being, I’m glad they at least picked “Godzilla vs. Biollante” as it is definitely one of the best Godzilla films around.