The Ultimate Godzilla DVD Collection (2002)

## 2002 DVD

**DVD Released By:** Classic Media / Sony Music Entertainment

**Video:** Fullscreen

**Audio:** English mono, English 5.1

**Extras:** *Godzilla:  Destroy All Monsters Melee* video game preview

**Subtitles:** None

**Closed Captions:** English

**Region:** 1

**Format:** NTSC

**Chapters:** 8

**Packaging:** Keepcase

**MSRP:** $12.98

**UPC #:** 074645462394

## Review

**Review:** This box set contains five classic Toho kaiju eiga, each on their own disc and packaged in keepcases.  Following are brief synopses of the included films.  For your convenience, the “Final Analysis” of each disc is also included.
*Godzilla, King Of The Monsters* (1956 U.S. version):  The mutant dinosaur Godzilla rises from the sea and attacks Tokyo.  The military is helpless against him, and the city is left a smoldering ruin.  A dark and somber science-fiction classic.  **Final Analysis:** This is the best-looking edition of this movie on video in the U.S.  Unfortunately, the disc is sparse on extras.  **Final Grade:  B**

*Godzilla vs. Mothra* (1964):  A powerful storm washes Mothra’s egg ashore in Japan, followed by Godzilla.  Mothra comes to protect her egg from Godzilla, but is killed.  Can her two offspring fend for themselves against the unstoppable Godzilla?  One of the best films of the entire series.  **Final Analysis:** While the DVD format as a whole continues to improve and evolve, this disc takes a major step backwards in both quality and content.  *Godzilla vs. Mothra* is one of the best Godzilla films; seek out the discontinued Simitar DVD to see it the way it should be seen.  **Final Grade:  C-**
*Godzilla’s Revenge* (1969):  A lonely young boy daydreams of having adventures on Monster Island with Godzilla and Minya.  He will have to use the lessons he learns there to deal with bullies and bank robbers in real life.  An underrated children’s fantasy.  **Final Analysis:** While the DVD format as a whole continues to improve and evolve, this disc takes a major step backwards in both quality and content.  If you enjoy this much-maligned film, or want to either give it another look or use it to introduce a child to the wonderful world of Godzilla, seek out the discontinued Simitar DVD to see it the way it should be seen.  **Final Grade:  D**

*Terror Of MechaGodzilla* (1975):  MechaGodzilla is salvaged and repaired by conquering aliens.  The invaders join forces with a disgruntled scientist whose cyborg daughter controls the dinosaur Titanosaurus.  Godzilla fights an uphill battle against two powerful foes.  The Showa series ended strongly with this interesting film.  **Final Analysis:** A solid entry in the Godzilla series that has been given consistently poor treatment in the West.  This movie **really** needs to be seen uncut, and in widescreen!  **Final Grade:  D**
*Rodan* (1956):  Two devastating flying monsters emerge from underground.  Nothing seems able to stop them from wreaking havoc.  A fast and fun monster film with excellent special effects.  **Final Analysis:** A decent presentation of a monster movie classic.  This disc should be on every kaiju fan’s shelf, strictly on the basis of the film itself.  **Final Grade:  B-**

**Please refer to the individual reviews for detailed specs and features of each disc.** As you can see, only two of the discs (*Godzilla, KOTM* and *Rodan*) are the least bit worthy.  They present the films in their correct aspect ratios.  The other three are widescreen movies that are presented in fullscreen.  The technical specs and extras (or lack thereof) are the same for all discs.
While this is a cut-rate set, the foil-embossed box does look good on a shelf.  It’s too bad Classic Media put more effort into the packaging than into the discs themselves.  Still, the price is right (many places sell it for about $25), so it is recommended for people who don’t already have the superior Simitar versions of *Godzilla vs. Mothra* and *Godzilla’s Revenge*.  **Grade For The Set:  C+**

## Image Gallery

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