Movie Tournament Game 25 - The Return of Godzilla x Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster

I think I'll go with the return of Godzilla.

I am going to go with Return of Godzilla. I really like the return to form this movie tries to do.

Ghidorah the Three headed monster is good, but not this good. I really wish Invasion of Astro Monster would have been on the left side of the bracket. For me, it is the only other Godzilla movie that would be a true match for the original. Especially sad that was the first match up for each movie.

Good gawd!  It's been a gazillion years since I saw "Return."  Since I don't own a copy of it and can't see with fresh eyes, I gotta give my vote to "Ghildorah."  Besides... Akiko Wakabayashi is a babe!

Ghidorah the Three headed Monster. Godzilla Returns has a better tone, but in every other category Ghidorah kills it.

Like 'em both, but I gotta go with Ghidorah.

I vote for Return of Godzilla. I like Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster a lot except for the deciding factor for me which is the moment when cheese reared it's head and you had moments like three monsters talking. Liked it as a kid but not my adult form. 

^Even as an adult I can't objectively see how The Return of Godzilla is a better film. More mature in tone? Sure. But that's simply not enough when Ghidorah is stronger in nearly every other category.

It reminds me of recent comparisons to movies like Godzilla Raids Again and Son of Godzilla. Is Raids Again a more grimDARK, mature film? Sure. Does that make it superior? Hardly. Camp or no camp, Son of Godzilla has far stronger characters, innovation, pacing, photography, writing, etc.

Choices are getting tough.

I'll go with Ghidorah.

The Special Effects - We have to be honest here. Neither of these films, in some respects, have aged very well. With Ghidorah, it's the hand puppets used throughout 70% of the fight between Godzilla and Rodan, and for the Return of Godzilla, it's the mechanical model and the giant foot. However, you can also say that they add to the charm and reflect the times, and that's a sound argument. But other than that, both are still great.

However, Ghidorah is a true marvel to look at, and always has been in the Showa films. In the Heisei, Millenium, and Mothra films... not so much. Even watching and comparing today, the suitmation design and execution for Showa Ghidorah is just so much better than any other, and I'm still waiting for something to beat it. The only thing that may come close, in my opinion, is Biollante. But, while she has the most unique design, she didn't quite have the mobility as a suit/animatronic to be truly number 1.

Return of Godzilla definitely has the advantage in general props and effects. With 'Return' it's the first time Godzilla's breath is portrayed as a 'wipe-out-everything' beam. You also have the amazing city sets, and even the Super-X. It's a difficult decision, but...

Given the scopes of the two films, I'll go with Ghidorah. Like I said before, Ghidorah himself is a marvel to look at, and they balanced three other monsters against him. You could say the prop sets were forgettable, but that's only because they were throwing so many monsters on the screen.

The Story/Characters: With the first delve into science fiction territory, Ghidorah does it well. I remember the story, the characters (many coming over from Mothra vs. Godzilla), the assassination attempts, and many of the goofy side characters - like the guy who climbs down into the volcano for his hat only to find Rodan. It was all fairly solid. Even Takashi Shimura returned to the series one final time. With Return of Godzilla... really, um... nothing. Like some said before, it has a certain tone... but nothing else really sticks with you. As far as story, I get the gist of it, but characters? It has the concerned brother... the scientist... and I think there was a reporter. Sorry, but this one goes to Ghidorah as well. No contest.

Music/Other: While I gave special effects to Ghidorah, I'll give overall cinematography to Return of Godzilla. And music as well. I love the traditional Ifukube scores, but Return of Godzilla gave us many new powerful and heart wrenching pieces, particularly that last one. You all know what I'm talking about. As well as Godzilla appearing and moving throughout the city with jets, lasers and tanks firing at him... it's beautiful.  I'll give Return that. Overall scope will go to Return of Godzilla.

I could expand on every bit of those simplistic categories... but, I'd need to be paid. Overall, Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster gets my vote.

GMAN2887 - Oh, sheesh! This is a monumentally difficult decision! Ugh! Hmm...after careful consideration and a great deal of mental turmoil, I will cast my vote in favor of Ghidotah: the Three Headed Monster. In terms of grandeur and overall excitement, Ghidorah surpasses The Return of Godzilla by a considerable margin in my opinion. Yikes! This was a rough choice! :)

Nothing really about the quality of either films, but an interesting connection these two movies have is Yosuke Natsuki. He played Detective Shindo in Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster and Dr. Hayashida in The Return of Godzilla.

@GMan2887 - That's right! When I saw Dr. Hayashida, I couldn't help but notice I had seen him before, but couldn't remember where.

The role of Dr. Hayashida was originally going to go to Akihiko Hirata, but he died before production began.

The tone of Return of Godzilla isn't better because it's darker, it's better because it's more consistant. Even the homeless man looting the city and cracking jokes has a pretty dark side to it. In comparison in terms of tone Ghidorah jumps around a little. Doesn't hurt the movie that much, but some scenes really come out of nowhere. Thankfully the movie has top tier characters and the best monsters you could possibly assemble to make up for this.

@GMan2887 - I remember reading that. That was a shame. Would have been a nice connection to '54

As most users on this site know, as an adult I'm much more a fan of the darker, more serious Godzilla movies. I'll be the first to admit that the silliness in Ghidorah and Astro Monster take me out of the experience a bit. Had they both been played more straight, they would be right up there with my favorites, namely '54 and MVsG '64. They both however have a place in my heart and mind that tone alone can't replace. For that, and the overall imagination and execution of both, puts them higher up for me.

I'm also just a sucker for Ghidorah!

@GMan2887 - I remember reading that. That was a shame. Would have been a nice connection to '54

As most users on this site know, as an adult I'm much more a fan of the darker, more serious Godzilla movies. I'll be the first to admit that the silliness in Ghidorah and Astro Monster take me out of the experience a bit. Had they both been played more straight, they would be right up there with my favorites, namely '54 and MVsG '64. They both however have a place in my heart and mind that tone alone can't replace. For that, and the overall imagination and execution of both, puts them higher up for me.

I'm also just a sucker for Ghidorah!

Sorry for the double dip! Not sure what happened there.