Imagine putting 70's psychedelic, kiddie antics, eco-thriller, horror, surreal art-house, and Godzilla into a blender. After mixing these things in the blender, you end up getting Godzilla vs. Hedorah aka Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster. This Godzilla outing is one of the weirdest entries in the series, but it is also
one of the better entries of the Showa era. Just like the first film were Godzilla provided social commentary on nuclear weapons, "Godzilla vs. Hedorah" gives social commentary on pollution and civilization's negative effects on the environment. Godzilla's adversary, Hedorah, feeds off human pollution and waste. One thing I like about this film is it shows people getting hurt or killed during the monster attacks, which gives some weight to the monster destruction. A sympathetic character actually dies (at least, I think he died). The film is full of funk music, cartoon segments, dream sequences, and moments of that are sincerely frightening. The film's eccentricities will either make or break the film for some people, the film is darker but at the same time more fun. Their is something oddly endearing about the film's weird tendencies. It manages to do something different with the Godzilla formula while at the same time remaining faithful to it. The film only has two major drawbacks. The monsters fights are pretty good overall, but sometimes their is too much standing around and waving arms. Godzilla also flies in this movie, which is really silly and cheesy. I laughed a lot during that scene but it could have easily have been left out. People should go into this movie with an open mind and not criticize it on the grounds that it is different from other Godzilla outings. This movie is Godzilla on acid, and whether you love it or hate it, it's an experience you won't easily forget.
November 23, 2011
