A Rose For Godzilla!

After his big time return to the world stomping stage in 1984 Godzilla laid low for many years thereafter. It was not until 1989 until a sequel Godzilla Vs. Biollante was released. It was not available in the United States until 1992 and then only on video. So to my knowledge this one never got the full-screen treatment in my neck of the woods. So I can be forgiven I guess for dismissing it all these years as likely a weak sister in the parade of Big G flicks. I was so very very wrong. This one seems to be a big fave with fans and I have to say after finally seeing it, I am among those who like it a lot.

The story follows the continuity of the previous effort and follows a geneticist who uses cells from Godzilla to help him resurrect his daughter who was killed in a terrorist attack. The result is a hybrid between Godzilla and a rose plant used in tests which grows to enormous proportions and becomes a kaiju all its own. The giant plant beast Biollante is one of the more creative beast Godzilla ever fought and like thematic predecessor Hedorah (a personification of pollution) this monster who encapsulates society's fear and loathing of genetic mutation is a memorable creation.

The fights in this one are terrific with the much larger Biollante really giving Godzilla a credible threat. If I didn't know I was watching a Godzilla movie, I'd have assumed Big G was a goner. The human story which tracks alongside the giant monster story has enough heart to make us connect with the characters and intersects with the main story enough to keep some coherence to it all.

The movie is notable for several things, not least of which is the introduction of psychic Miki Sagusa, a character who will feature all the remaining Heisei movies in some way. Also the fact this above average Godzilla movie, made with more heft and seriousness did not do well financially led to the later flicks of the era having a lighter and less potent tone. More's the pity, a lost opportunity it seems as this one is a winner in my book. If you have never seen this one, hunt it down. It's a dandy Godzilla movie.

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