Godzilla X MechaGodzilla
	Japanese Release Date: December 14, 2002
	Japanese Title: Godzilla X MechaGodzilla
	Japanese Running Time: 88 minutes
	U.S. Release Date: March 24, 2004 (Video)
	U.S. Title: Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla
	U.S. Distributor: Sony Tristar
	U.S. Running Time: 88 minutes
	Monsters: Godzilla, MechaGodzilla
	My Rating:
My Comments
Hey, guess who finally got around to seeing “Godzilla X MechaGodzilla,” heh. I thought this film was great, even though it was another version of the storyline for “Godzilla X Megaguirus.” The characters are built up and deliver very well, the kaiju battle scenes and CGI are excellent, although a bit implausible at times (but hey, this is a sci-fi fantasy film). The special effects and musical score were great as well, with composer Michiru Oshima delivering another great performance. While certainly not the best film in the series, this film is definitely a great addition to any Godzilla fan’s collection; sorry it took me so long to see it! Onto the synopsis!
Synopsis
The year is 1999; forty-five years after the first Godzilla attacked in 1954. In Tateyama, the JSDF hurries to secure their ships in the bay as a typhoon hammers the coastline. Meanwhile, a reporter and cameraman are giving a live broadcast of the typhoon as it occurs, but the bay behind them suddenly begins to rise and an enormous figure stands over them. The cameraman/reporter run as Godzilla bellows and walks onto the beach and Maser Tanks, also known as “Anti-Megalosaurus Units” pull up to meet the Monster King. These Maser Tanks were developed in 1966 to defend against the onslaught of monsters like Mothra and Gaila, that the Japanese had to deal with. Then, within moments, the Maser Tanks open fire on Godzilla and a fierce battle ensues as the typhoon rages all around them. Godzilla is unhurt by the “Anti-Megalosaurus Units” and quickly destroys all the forces that oppose him. As the battle continues, soldier Akane Yashiro panics and tries to retreat from Godzilla, but as she swings her Maser Tank around, she accidentally knocks a JSDF jeep off the road and into Godzilla’s path, who crushes the jeep. As Godzilla marches on, he knocks Akane’s Maser Tank over with his tail and continues further inland, toward Tateyama. After Godzilla’s attack on Tateyama, Prime Minister Machiko Tsuge calls on science minister Hayato Igarashi to create a weapon that can protect Japan from Godzilla, who obviously is not effected by the “Anti Megalosaurus Units”. Four years later, in 2003, Science Minister Hayato Igarashi is now the Prime Minister. The skeleton of the Godzilla who was killed by the Oxygen Destroyer in 1954 has been recovered from the bottom of Tokyo Bay and Tokumitsu Yahara is hired to extract DNA from the skeleton in order to build a bio-computer for the giant robot they have been working on since 1999. Godzilla soon surfaces along the Kawasaki coast and MechaGodzilla is immediately dispatched. The robotic kaiju quickly unloads its payload of missiles and beam weapons at Godzilla as the Monster King bellows in defiance at his new enemy. Meanwhile Akane, piloting MechaGodzilla from one of two super jets that carry the robotic kaiju through the air, readies the Absolute Zero Cannon, but MechaGodzilla won’t obey and Godzilla escapes. It seems that Godzilla’s roar had induced a flashback from Godzilla’s 1954 attack within the DNA computer and MechaGodzilla becomes the first Godzilla, laying waste to everything in site! About an hour later MechaGodzilla’s power is drained and the robotic kaiju goes offline as the sun sets on downtown Tokyo. Then, after retrieving the powerless robot, Dr. Yahara reprograms MechaGodzilla so it will not go berserk ever again. In the final battle, Godzilla reappears and the pilot of one of the super jets dive-bombs him, but the Monster King catches the jet in his mouth. Akane, now piloting MechaGodzilla from within, powers up the Absolute Zero Cannon and flies at Godzilla, grabbing him and knocking the super jet from his jaws. MechaGodzilla then proceeds to carry Godzilla out to sea and detonates the Absolute Zero Cannon as both kaiju slam into the ocean. The water surrounding the splashdown area instantly freezes solid and an eerie calmness fills the air. Then, the ice suddenly cracks open and Godzilla emerges, roaring victoriously before swimming away. After Godzilla departs, a severely damaged MechaGodzilla rises, but doesn’t have enough power to pursue the King of the Monsters. Back in Japan, Prime Minister Igarashi congratulates everyone on a successful effort to combat Godzilla while Akane stands on MechaGodzilla, watching Godzilla disappear into the distance. Akane later declares that the battle between Godzilla and MechaGodzilla was a draw and that MechaGodzilla will get its rematch soon.
Other Features: None

Cast & Crew
Godzilla Tsutomu Kitagawa	Director Masaaki Tezuka
MechaGodzilla Hirofumi Ishigaki	Producer Shogo Tomiyama
Akane Yashiro Yumiko Shaku	Screenplay Wataru Mimura
Prime Minister Machiko Tsuge Kumi Mizuno	Special Effects Yuichi Kikuchi
Science Minister Hayato Igarashi Akira Nakao	Music Michiru Oshima
Tokumitsu Yahara Shin Takuma	Suit Maker Shinichi Wakasa
Sara Haruna Onodera