Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.

Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.

Official Japanese poster
Directed by Masaaki Tezuka
Produced by Shogo Tomiyama
Written by Masaaki Tezuka
Masahiro Yokotani
Starring Noboru Kaneko
Miho Yoshioka
Mitsuki Koga
Tsutomu Kitagawa as Godzilla
Music by Michiru Ôshima
Cinematography Yoshinori Sekiguchi
Production
company
Distributed by Toho
Release dates
  • 13 December 2003
Running time
 91 Minutes
Country Japan
Language Japanese
Box office US $12 million

Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., released in Japan as Godzilla × Mothra × Mechagodzilla: Tokyo SOS (ゴジラ×モスラ×メカゴジラ 東京SOS Gojira Mosura Mekagojira Tōkyō Esu Ō Esu), is a 2003 science fiction kaiju film directed by Masaaki Tezuka. It was the twenty-seventh film to be released in the Godzilla series. It is the twelfth film to feature Mothra, the second film to feature Kamoebas, and the fifth and latest film to feature Mechagodzilla. Unlike the Millennium Series and like Godzilla vs. Megaguirus, the film takes place in continuity with other Toho films, notably Godzilla, Mothra, War of the Gargantuas, Space Amoeba and its predecessor, Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla.

Plot

Kiryu is undergoing repair modifications after its battle with Godzilla. Prime Minister Hayato Igarashi accepts Lead Scientist Yoshito Chujo's choice to replace the Absolute Zero Cannon with a powerful Tri-Maser.

The Shobijin (Mothra's twin fairies) warn the Japanese government that Godzilla continues returning to Japan because they used the original Godzilla's bones in Kiryu's design. If they return the bones to the bottom of the sea, Mothra would gladly take Kiryu's place in defending Japan, but if they do not, Mothra will declare war on humanity. Soon enough, Kamoebas, a giant mata mata turtle, is found washed ashore on a Japanese beach. It is determined by the wounds on Kamoebas' neck that Godzilla killed it. Godzilla and Mothra fight, but Godzilla seems to have the upper hand. With the repairs finished just in time, Kiryu manages to even the odds, but Godzilla still manages to knock out both of its opponents.

Meanwhile, on Infant Island, two twin Mothra larvae hatch from Mothra's egg, and rush to help their mother. As Kiryu undergoes repairs again, the larvae try to hold Godzilla off, but Mothra is killed by Godzilla's atomic breath while trying to save the larvae. Just in time, Yoshito and the humans repair Kiryu, who stabs Godzilla's chest with a drill, causing Godzilla to bleed and roar in pain. The larvae begin to bind Godzilla up in web. Just as Kiryu's pilot, Azusa Kisaragi, receives the order by Igarashi to destroy Godzilla before the Kiryu project is scrapped, Kiryu's soul is re-awakened through Godzilla's roar. The cyborg lifts Godzilla and secures themselves with cables. Kiryu then uses its boosters to carry itself and Godzilla to the bottom of the ocean.

In the film's post-credits scene, in an undisclosed location, a laboratory is shown, filled with canisters that contain the DNA of numerous Toho kaiju. It is stated in the Japanese version via on off-screen voice giving announcements that a "bio-formation" experiment involving an "extinct subject" is about to take place, implying that the JXSDF plans to create another mecha or kaiju-based superweapon, which could mean that Godzilla or another monster could appear once again. In the Japanese version, Godzilla and Kiryu are seen one more time, roaring as they descend into the ocean.

Cast

Writing

Toho had commissioned four story outlines for director Tezuka to choose from. Tezuka found them all boring, so instead he wrote a new story outline overnight and submitted it to the studio, to which they eventually approved.[1]

Box office

Godzilla: Tokyo SOS opened on 14 December 2003 on a double bill with the animated feature Hamtaro: Ham Ham Grand Prix. In its opening weekend, it was third place at the box office with $1,686,009 (U.S).

Critical reaction

Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. has received generally positive reviews from journalistic reviewers upon its release on DVD. John Sinnott of DVD Talk gave Tokyo SOS four stars out of five, saying:

“ There are some problems with this movie, but when all is said and done, I really enjoyed it. .. While this movie seems to be aimed at a younger audience without a lot of plot or characterization, it was still a lot of fun. The fight scenes were exciting and though they took up most of the movie, they never dragged on or got boring.[2] ”

Giving the film a score of three out of five, Stomp Tokyo said "the plot is fairly simplistic and the character relationships are painted in broad strokes," but added that the movie "[features] the best monster action Toho has produced."[3] Joseph Savitski of Beyond Hollywood criticized the film's "uninspired script," which he wrote had "ideas [that] are never fully developed," but added that the film is "well-made" and "mak[es] for an entertaining 91 minutes."[4] Mark Zimmer of Digitally Obsessed gave Tokyo S.O.S. a "B" score, calling it "a fun enough action film with enough explosions and destruction of Tokyo to satisfy die-hards and casual fans alike."[5]

Home Media Releasing

Sony - Blu-ray (Toho Godzilla Collection) [6]

Columbia/Tristar Home Entertainment - 50th Anniversary [7]

References

  1. ↑ "Tokyo SOS Director". Scifi Japan TV. September 18, 2014.
  2. ↑ Review John Sinnott, DVD Talk, 6 December 2004
  3. ↑ Review Stomp Tokyo, 17 October 2004
  4. ↑ Review Joseph Savitski, Beyond Hollywood
  5. ↑ Review Mark Zimmer, Digitally Obsessed, 13 December 2004
  6. ↑ http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Godzilla-Tokyo-SOS-Blu-ray/98445/#Review
  7. ↑ http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=7852

External links