GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE | Movie Review

 GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE
(Gojira tai Biorante)

December 16, 1989

With Godzilla successfully brought back to the big screen, Tomoyuki Tanaka, despite pushing 80 years, pushed to continue the series while sharing duties with fellow producer, Shogo Tomiyama. The next Godzilla movie would be inspired by a contest held by Toho where story submissions could be presented. Out of close to 5000 entries, a dentist named Shinichiro Kobayashi had the winning script. Writer/Director Kazuki Omori made several changes and created that would be one of the most underrated Godzilla films.

With Godzilla trapped in a volcano, Japan starts to recover from his attack. But the threat of his return still looms over the country. The JSDF (Japanese Self-Defense Forces) scramble to prepare a bio weapon using Godzilla's own cells to be used against him. After a scientist uses the cells in his project to develop a new indestructible, super plant monster named Biollante is spawned. Sure enough, Godzilla does escape and proceeds to seek battle with Biollante, while the JSDF races to finish their bio weapon.

Unlike the often vague continuity of the Showa series, every film in the Heisei series would pick up sometime after where the last film left off. 

The human cast is made up of good characters, but the stand out player is definitely Miki Saegusa played by Megumi Odaka. While the Heisei series takes a more realistic approach, the filmmakers weren't afraid to throw in a lot of fantastical elements. Miki possesses psychic powers and is often used by the JSDF to track or sense Godzilla's activity. Her involvement in the plot of the series varies by film but she is very much a great addition to the series and a welcome new character that stands out from the usual scientists, reporters and military archetypes seen in these movies. 

Godzilla's design is updated and the design would remain consistent with only minor changes in the following sequels. In fact, his new look would become one of the most iconic looks the King of the Monsters has ever had. Look at any Godzilla merchandise or marketing and it will more than likely use the Heisei look. This movie also debuts a brand new ability for Godzilla, his Nuclear Pulse attack, where Godzilla unleashes his atomic energy in a shock wave. 

Biollante is probably the most unique monster Godzilla has fought. She is as beautiful as she is terrifying and that goes for both of her forms. While the animatronic Godzilla and miniatures are all well done, the most commendable visual effects work in this movie is Biollante's second form. Not only was the suit itself massive, it required 32 piano wires to move her tendrils convincingly and the results are near perfection. There's even a moment where Biollante actually charges toward Godzilla, just to further show off how powerful she can be.

The score by Koichi Sugiyama, who's name some may recognize through his work on the 'Dragon Quest' video game series, is quite an interesting one. At moments it can be upbeat and triumphant while moody and threatening the next.
And then there's his 'Bio Wars' track. I really have no idea how else to describe it, it's amazing. Go look it up on YouTube and enjoy. 

A few of Godzilla's classic themes also return to the series. This movie in particular makes great use of the main title theme from 'Invasion of Astro Monster.'

Godzilla vs Biollante is noteworthy for its exploration of genetic engineering and science as themes. There are many debates on the ethical implications of the handling of the Godzilla cells to create the Anti-Nuclear Bacteria to defeat Godzilla. While the pros are present there is also the fear that the cells might produce a monster worse than Godzilla. Biollante is a combination of Godzilla, rose and human cells. A character named Dr. Shiragami (Koji Takahashi) does this in the hopes of keeping the soul of his dead daughter alive.

As scary as nuclear power can be, genetic power can be just as if not more dangerous. Basically, this movie "Jurassic Parked" before 'Jurassic Park'.

Unlike The Return of Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Biollante was not released in theaters in the US, it only saw a release on VHS and Laserdisc by Miramax through HBO Films in 1992. In a bizarre move, the VHS include a trailer for a comedy called "The Opposite Sex and How To Live With Them", to this day I have no idea why this was done but it is funny to think back on. This movie took a long time to get on DVD/Blu-ray along with Godzilla Raids Again, the Japanese version of King Kong vs. Godzilla and The Return of Godzilla. When it finally got released in 2012 it was given a PG rating for and I quote: "Traditional Godzilla Violence" which is just great.
Unfortunately, none of the Heisei movies after 'The Return of Godzilla' saw a theatrical release in the United States.

Despite the odd promotional choice before the movie and the fact that there were pretty bad storms going on when I first watched it, I really enjoyed this movie and was shocked to find out that most fans didn't hold it in such a high regard. Over time however that started to change and is now looked at as one of the best and underrated entries of the series as a whole. If your looking for a Godzilla movie with an original, unique and thoughtful story with some great monster action then I say give this one a watch.

Till next time, I have been your host Gryphon

and thank you for joining me here in my lair.

So long...

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