Godzilla Raids Again (1955) was rushed out pretty quickly after the success of Godzilla. As a consequence, it's a flawed movie. The first Godzilla (especially the unchanged Japanese release) is a true horror film, with the monster's destruction of Tokyo working as a brutal and heartbreaking metaphor for the atomic bombings that ending World War II.
The sequel has the city of Osaka destroyed, but this is rather casually shrugged off by the human characters, who often act like they are in a romantic comedy. The monster stuff is great, while the human stuff is a bit sub par.
But, despite this, the movie's strengths outweigh its weaknesses. It's the only other film aside from Godzilla in the series that was filmed in black-and-white, which helps give it a more appropriately serious ambiance. The special effects are excellent. And it introduced another monster to what would soon be a very crowed Kaiju universe.
The movie begins with two pilots stranded on a remote island, where they spotted Godzilla and Anguirus fighting each other. The two monsters fall into the ocean, vanishing for the time being.
This isn't, by the way, the same Godzilla that appeared in the first film. That guy was clearly dead after getting hit by an oxygen destroyer. So this Godzilla (the one who will appear in all the remaining Showa films) is Godzilla #2. But the first film also set this up, with a character musing at the climax that continued atomic testing might awaken another Godzilla.
Godzilla is soon approaching Osaka. The Japanese Defense Force comes up with a pretty nifty plan. The city is blacked out and planes begin dropping parachute flares, slowly leading the monster back towards the sea. It's a wonderfully atmospheric moment.
But then a group of convicts being transported in a truck jump their guards and make a break for it. Several of them steal a gas truck, but then end up smashing it into some gas tanks. The resultant fire brings Godzilla back to the city. Who thought it was a good idea to transport dangerous criminals while the city is blacked out and threatened by a giant monster is not explained.
At the same time, Anguirus shows up and the two are soon fighting, leaving a trail of destroyed buildings behind them.
The fight is the highlight of the film. It's exciting and well-choreographed. Eventually, the Showa universe would give us many, many monster vs. monster battles, but this one still stands out as one of the best.
Anguirus is killed,with Godzilla using his atomic breath to disintegrate the body. Which, I guess, means Anguirus' future appearances are actually a second Anguirus. And, despite the two monsters being mortal enemies here, they will be the best of friends in future movie appearances. Maybe Godzilla #2 felt guilty about killing Anguirus #1, so made friends with Anguirus #2.
With Osaka trashed, Godzilla returns to that remote island. The Japanese come up with a plan of setting off an avalanche and burying Godzilla in ice, but accomplishing this plan will first require one of the main characters to sacrifice himself. It's a great ending, representing the only moment in the film in which the human characters generate any real emotion.
Godzilla Raids Again can be said to point the fledgling film series away from serious themes & meaningful metaphors, turning it towards the spectacle of giant monsters slugging it out. In a way, that's too bad. As entertaining as the Showa film are, the original is the only one that is a true classic, with a clear message and a sincere sense of tragedy. But, at the same time, the sequel set the stage for monsters like King Ghidorah, Mecha-Godzilla and Gigan. The world would be a sadder place without them. And, despite its flaws, Godzilla Raids Again is a fun film when taken on its own. If you get a chance to watch it, though, make sure its the Japanese cut. The American cut, titled Gigantis, the Fire Monster, is poorly done and only adds to the movie's existing flaws.
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