Godzilla the Series - The Monster Wars Trilogy
Based on the much-maligned 1998 AmericanGodzillafeature (including the revamped creature design), the animatedGodzilla: The Series(1998-2000) actually hews much closer to the original films from Japan, as illustrated in this exciting, three-part episode from the first season. The storyline, which borrows heavily fromDestroy All Monsters, has alien invaders take control of the mutated creatures that Godzilla and H.E.A.T. (Humanitarian Ecological Analysis Team) tangled with in the previous 13 episodes of the season-including the Godzilla that rampaged through New York in the theatrical feature, but now augmented with robotic parts (shades of Mecha-Godzilla!).The Monster Wars Trilogymanages to pack considerable excitement and suspense in its brief running time (just over an hour), and benefits greatly from a fine vocal cast, which includes Joe Pantoliano, Paget Brewster, and Kevin Dunn, reprising his role from the theatrical film. No extras are included.--Paul Gaita