Godzilla vs. Biollante

Godzilla vs. Biollante (also known as Godzilla vs. Biorante) is an 1989 toho kaiju film a sequel to The Return of Godzilla.

## Plot

In the Year 1984, a scientific team picks through the ruins of Tokyo, searching for tissue samples left behind by the monster Godzilla following his rampage there only a few hours earlier. The creature had returned after 30 years, and had reduced Tokyo to rubble. After destroying the JSDF's Super X, the monster had been lured to Mount Mihara, where an eruption had been triggered that sealed the titan within the volcano. The scientific team soon find what they are looking for, but as they continue to search, a team of American paramilitary soldiers working for a United States-based genetics research company called Bio-Major ambushes them and steals the cell samples. As they flee with their prize, they are ambushed themselves by a lone mercenary, who kills the commandos and steals the cells back. The mysterious man, a killer known only as SSS9, then takes the cells to the Republic of Saradia, an OPEC nation in the Middle East, where Japanese geneticist Genshiro Shiragami and his daughter Erika take charge of them. Shiragami is working with the Saradian government on a project to genetically breed a new species of plant capable of living in the arid Saradian deserts. This, the government hopes, will gradually take the country away from relying only on oil exports for profit, and will hopefully make them the world's largest grain exporter. However, before this can become a reality, the lab where the Godzilla cells are being stored is bombed by Bio-Major agents, and the cells are destroyed. Erika is killed in the blast, and the distraught scientist returns to Japan, unwilling to continue his research.

Over five years later, in 1990, Japan has, for the most part, recovered from Godzilla's attack. Shiagami lives in solitude in a laboratory on the shores of Lake Ashi, and has kept Erika's keep-sake roses alive for all this time, and has even spliced her genes into the plants in hopes that she might continue to live within them. After five years of wondering if this is even possible, he calls the Japanese Psyonics Research Center, who sends Miki Saegusa to test the roses for psychic energy. Miki, only seventeen years old, is an incredibly gifted psychic, and as she analyzes the roses, she can hear the voice of a girl calling the name of Asuka Okouchi, a former friend of Erika who accompanied Miki to Shiragami's lab. As the two women leave, they do not know that they are being watched. In the trees rests a truck, and from the window two Bio-Major agents, John Lee and Michael Low, look on. As it turns out, they have been watching Shiragami for several years. Little do they know that they too are under surveillance. Behind them, the Saradian agent that stole the Godzilla cells in 1984 watches in silence.

Asuka Okouchi is the daughter of Seido Okochi, founder and head of the Okochi Foundation, a genetic research institute. Her boyfriend, Kazuhito Kirishima, is a geneticist as well, but has recently become very concerned with the ethics of his work. He believes that if the scientists are not careful, they may create something terrible, something never intended to exist on the planet Earth. He fears that Okouchi's view of science, that being a way to gain power and money, goes against what science is really all about. However, as he is dating Okouchi's daughter and his lab is funded by the Okouchi Foundation, there is little he can do to voice his opinions.

Meanwhile, a small eruption at Mt. Mihara begins to worry the Japanese government. Godzilla has remained interred within the mountain for the last five years, and it is now becoming clear that the creature is stirring within. The Japanese begin their planning for the monster's return, and prepare several defenses. Lt. Sho Kuroki of the JSDF, along with Goro Gondo of the National Land Bureau's Godzilla Unit, begin to organize and prepare. The JSDF has constructed the Super X2, a vastly improved version of the machine that fought Godzilla in 1984. The machine is now semi-aquatic, capable of functioning under water, and now features a vast array of weapons. The new mech also possesses a "Fire Mirror," a gigantic lens composed of synthetic diamond capable of deflecting Godzilla's atomic ray back at him at over one thousand times the force. The government also has another trick up their sleeves: they are planning to develop a biological weapon called the Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria (ANEB). The bacteria, designed to break down nuclear energy, was originally intended to clean up atomic waste. However, as the bacteria eats nuclear material, it could, theoretically, be used against Godzilla, who feeds off nuclear energy. However, the ANEB cannot be created without Godzilla cells. As it turns out, the cells of the King of the Monsters contain a special set of nuclear-eating genes that are used to allow the creature to derive energy from nuclear materials. These genes are needed to make the ANEB, and much like snake venom can be used to create an antidote for snake poisoning, it is believed that the G-cells can be used to create a bacteria that can poison and kill Godzilla himself. A group of cells recovered in 1984 are now stored at the Okouchi Foundation, safe from terrorists such as the Bio-Major agents. Kirishima and Kuroki attempt to lobby Dr. Shiragami to join the project, but he flatly refuses. He blames the G-cells for his daughter's death five years earlier, and has no intention of getting involved with them again.

Several days later, Mt. Mihara erupts, spewing lava all across Izu Oshima. The resulting earthquakes are felt as far away as Shiragami's lab. The earthquake damages the terrarium containing Erika's roses. Fearing that Erika may die if the roses perish, he formulates a plan. He joins the ANEB project, but only on one condition: he is to keep the Godzilla cells for the one week until the project begins. On a dark and stormy night, Shiragami sits alone in his lab. Before him lie several rose petals and the Godzilla cells. Under his microscope, he carefully isolates one G-cell and one cell from the rose, and then, ever so carefully, combines the two together. Now, he hopes, his daughter will live forever in a plant given the regenerative properties of Godzilla himself.

Several days later, Bio-Major's agents break into Shiragami's lab. Unbeknownst to them, SSS9 also breaks in. When the thieves and the assassin catch each other, a gunfight ensues. It is interrupted by an attack of a giant, mobile plant that kills Low and attacks SSS9. Lee flees, while the assassin barely escapes from the plant's grasp. They do not realize that they have just encountered the result of Dr. Shiragami's secret experiments. The next morning a giant flower is seen in Lake Ashi, and Dr. Shiragami confesses that he combined the DNA of roses with Godzilla cells, believing he had created an immortal plant species. Furthermore, he confesses to Asuka, Miki and Kirishima that in a fit of desperate grief, he added Erika's DNA to the mutated genetic structure, so that some of the creature is composed of Erika as well. He names his creation Biollante, after a plant spirit from Norse mythology. Miki remarks that she can hear Erika's spirit inside Biollante, crying out in fear.

Meanwhile, Bio-Major anonymously sends a letter to the Diet of Japan, informing them that they have planted several bombs inside Mt. Mihara. If the Anti-Nuclear Bacteria is not handed over, the company threatens to detonate the bombs and release Godzilla. With the country held hostage, the Diet is forced to comply, sending Colonel Gondo and Dr. Kirishima to hand over the ANEB to Bio-Major's agent John Lee. However, the exchange is interrupted when SSS9 opens fire on them before the explosives can be disarmed. Lee tries to drive away in his truck, but is killed by a sniper bullet to the head, causing the truck to be overturned. SSS9 retrieves the ANEB and escapes, while Gondo and Kirishima are unable to disarm the explosives. Godzilla is released as Mt. Mihara erupts. Upon hearing Godzilla's roar, Biollante's blossom opens, and the monstrous plant begins calling out to Godzilla. Miki remarks that Erika's spirit is seemingly no longer in control of Biollante, leaving the creature a violent monster that is part Godzilla and part rose. With Godzilla's destination made clear, the JSDF, under the leadership of Sho Kuroki, prepare their strategies for dealing with the King of the Monsters. The Super X2 is deployed against Godzilla in the ocean, and though it at first seems effective in combating Godzilla, it is eventually overwhelmed by Godzilla's atomic breath, and is forced to retreat. After the battle, Godzilla comes ashore in Japan and approaches Lake Ashi, where Biollante is rooted. Shiragami wonders if Godzilla came all this way to see Biollante because he knew they were made from the same cells. As Godzilla stares at the monstrous plant, Biollante panics and attacks him, and a huge battle ensues, and briefly it appears that there is a stalemate. However, Godzilla seemingly defeats Biollante by burning her alive with his atomic breath, only for it to be revealed that Biollante is immortal as she escapes by dissolving into spores that float into outer space. Victorious for now and running low on nuclear energy following his last two battles, Godzilla heads towards the nearest operational nuclear reactor, which is located in Tsuruga, on the other side of the country. The military is sent out to meet Godzilla at Ise Bay. However, Godzilla unexpectedly surfaces in Osaka Bay, avoiding a confrontation with the 'Japanese Self Defence Force' (or JSDF for short) Miki tries to help, attempting to make Godzilla turn away from Osaka using her psychic abilities. Her efforts distract Godzilla momentarily, but the force of Godzilla's will and his psychic brainpower overwhelms her, causing her to faint. A plan is put into action, involving infecting Godzilla with the ANEB, which was retrieved by Gondo and Kirishima from the Saradia Oil Corporation's Osaka office. Kuroki sends the still-damaged Super X-2 to distract Godzilla while Gondo and his team prepare rockets loaded with ANEB. Godzilla destroys the craft with a blast of atomic breath, but Gondo and his team manage to get in position. Godzilla is infected with three rockets, including one fired directly into his mouth, but he kills Gondo and continues on, seemingly unaffected by the ANEB.

The failure of the bacteria to work is attributed to Godzilla's low body temperature, which keeps the bacteria in a near-dormant state. If Godzilla can be heated, Shiragami theorizes, then the ANEB should work. The JSDF develops another plan: force Godzilla onto a field of microwave-emitting plates during an artificial thunderstorm, where he will be heated by the microwaves and a unit of MBT-MB92 Maser Cannons. The operation begins, and while Godzilla does briefly seem to weaken, he easily destroys the JSDF's forces. Just as everything seems lost, a low rumble is heard and Biollante's spores rain down from the sky. Suddenly, Biollante's gigantic evolved form emerges from the ground, obliterating the JSDF's remaining forces. Biollante attacks Godzilla and this time has the advantage. She stabs Godzilla with her spear-tipped tendrils and spits corrosive sap onto him. When Biollante attempts to bite down on Godzilla's head, he fires his atomic breath directly into her mouth, causing it to explode out the back of her head. Godzilla then begins to be affected by the ANEB, due to Biollante's corrosive sap raising his temperature. Godzilla tries to walk away but collapses headfirst into the ocean. With Godzilla temporarily knocked out, Biollante dissolves into spores and escapes into space again. As the monster's essence floats upwards, Dr. Shiragami sees the image of his daughter among the spores. Miki says that Biollante had told them "Thank you" as she floated into the atmosphere. Calling out to his daughter, Shiragami walks forward and is shot and killed by SSS9, who was ordered by his government to kill Shiragami now that the cells were lost. Dr. Kirishima chases the agent and fights him. The agent is at a disadvantage until he is able to grab his weapon again. The Saradian agent attempts to kill Kirishima, but Major Kuroki activates an artificial lightning generator that SSS9 is standing on, disintegrating him. Kirishima and Asuka celebrate their victory when Godzilla suddenly rises, his body temperature lowered by the water. However, Godzilla simply swims away, leaving Japan safe for the time being. Kirishima and Asuka leave together in Kirishima's car. The body of Dr. Shiragami is placed inside a tent, Dr. Okouchi briefly mourning him before leaving. Erika is heard to briefly comment on the recent events. Godzilla is seen swimming away, while Biollante is visible as a giant rose floating near the Earth in outer space.

## Cast

* Yoshiko Tanaka   as   Asuka Okouchi
* Masanobu Takashima   as   Major Sho Kuroki
* Megumi Odaka   as   Miki Saegusa
* Toru Minegishi   as   Colonel Goro Gondo
* Ryunosuke Kaneda   as   Seigo Okouchi, Head of the Okouchi Foundation
* Koji Takahashi   as   Dr. Genshiro Shiragami
* Manjot Bedi   as   SSS9
* Koichi Ueda   as   Ground SDF Chief of Staff
* Kosuke Toyohara   as   Osamu Amezawa
* Kyoko Suzuki   as   Hiromi Kawai
* Takashi Hunt   as   Bio-Major Agent John Lee
* Derrick Holmes   as   Bio-Major Agent Michael Low
* Kazuma Matsubara   as   JSDF Soldier
* Hiroshi Inoue   as   JSDF Soldier
* Hiroto Yoshimitsu   as   JSDF Soldier
* Yoshiharu Yamada   as   JSDF Soldier
* Tetsu Kawai   as   JSDF Soldier
* Yasunori Yumeiie   as   JSDF Soldier
* Shin Tatsuma   as   Director General Akiyama
* Shu Minagawa   as   Strategy Team Member
* Masahiko Sakata   as   Strategy Team Member
* Kazuma Matsuoka   as   Strategy Team Member
* Abdallah Helal   as   Researcher
* Kurt Cramer   as   Commando
* Brien Uhl   as   Commando
* Robert Corner   as   Commando
* Koumi Kuroiwa   as   Nurse at Osaka Chisato Central Hospital
* Beth Blatt   as   CCN Reporter Susan Horn
* Yasuko Sawaguchi   as   Erika Shiragami
* Toshiyuki Nagashima   as   Seiichi Yamamoto
* Yoshiko Kuga   as   Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiko Owada
* Hirohisa Nakata   as   Defense Minister Minoru Oyama
* Katsuhiko Sasaki   as   Director of Science and Technology Research Takeda
* Kenzo Hagiwara   as   Takeo Shimura
* Kazuyuki Senba   as   Maritime SDF Chief of Staff
* Koji Yamanaka   as   Air SDF Chief of Staff
* Aijdin Yamanlar   as   Abdul Zalman, Director of the Saradia Biotechnology Institute
* Kenpachiro Satsuma   as   Godzilla
* Takegami Akio   as   Biollante (1st form)
* Shigeru Shibasaki, Yoshitaka Kimura   as   Biollante (2nd form)
* Haruko Sagara   as   TNN TV Reporter
* Hiromi Matsukana   as   Breaking Newscaster
* Isao Takeno   as   Super X2 Maintenance Chief
* Demon Kogure   as   Himself
* Kazuki Omori   as   Doctor at Osaka Chisato Central Hospital (uncredited)

### International English dub

* Chris Hilton   as   Dr. Kazuhito Kirishima
* Suzanne Vale   as   Asuka Okouchi / Breaking Newscaster
* Rik Thomas   as   Colonel Goro Gondo
* Warren Rooke   as   Dr. Genshiro Shiragami
* Simon Broad   as   Seigo Okouchi / Abdul Zalman / Osamu Amezawa / Demon Kogure

## Staff

* Directed by   Kazuki Omori
* Written by   Kazuki Omori, Shinichiro Kobayashi
* Produced by   Tomoyuki Tanaka
* Music by   Koichi Sugiyama, Yuki Saito
* Stock music by   Akira Ifukube
* Cinematography by   Yudai Kato
* Edited by   Michiko Ikeda
* Production design by   Juichi Ikuno, Shigekazu Ikuno
* Assistant directors   Kazuhiko Fukami, Hideyuki Inoue, Hiroshi Kubo
* Director of special effects   Koichi Kawakita

## Titles

* Big Dinosaurs (大恐龍; Taiwan)
* Godzilla, the Ancient Giant (Godzilla, Der Urgigant; Germany)
* Godzilla 1990 (1990ก็อตซิลลา; Thailand)
* Godzilla 2 (Mexico)
* Godzilla Counterattacks (Godzilla contra-ataca; Portugal)

## Production

Godzilla vs. Biollante began as a winner of a contest by Toho. The concept was created by Shinichiro Kobayashi, a dentist, though his script was widely different from the final film. The few parts that remained were Erika's death, Biollante's creation, a psychic girl, and for the most part, the ending. This first draft also had Dr. Shiragami create a rat-fish hybrid monster named Deutalios who was quickly killed by Godzilla. This was cut and replaced by Godzilla's battles with Biollante's rose stage and the Super X-2. In another ending, Biollante begins to lose and makes a final attempt to kill Godzilla by turning into a wave of pure energy which Godzilla would absorb.

## U.S. release

After Godzilla vs. Biollante was released in Japan, Toho commissioned a Hong Kong-based company called Omni Productions to dub the film into English for their international version. In early 1990, Toho entered discussions with Miramax to distribute the film. When talks broke off, Toho filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Federal Court, accusing Miramax of entering an oral agreement in June to pay Toho $500,000 to distribute the film. This lawsuit delayed the film's release for two years. An out of court settlement was reached with Miramax buying the rights to the film for an unreported figure. While Miramax had entertained thoughts of releasing the film in theaters, but in the end it was decided to release the film straight to home video instead. HBO released the film on VHS in 1992 and Laserdisc in 1993. Miramax utilized the uncut English international version of the film for this release. The international version of the film was released on video in the United States by HBO Video in association with Miramax via Dimension Studios on November 25, 1992. The film was released on laserdisc the next year. Godzilla vs. Biollante was released on DVD and Blu-ray disc in North America by Echo Bridge Entertainment through Miramax on December 4, 2012.

Godzilla vs. Biollante was the last new Godzilla film to receive a release in the United States until TriStar Pictures released Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah and Godzilla vs. Mothra on VHS in 1998. Godzilla vs. Biollante was also the last Toho Godzilla film to receive its own international English-language title card. For every film since, Toho has elected to simply digitally superimpose the international title over the Japanese title card (except in the case of Godzilla: Final Wars, whose original title card is in English).

## Soundtrack

the films soundtrack is by Koichi Sugiyama and Akira Ifukube

## DVD

**Toho** DVD (2002)

* Region: 2
* Discs: 1
* Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono, 5.1 Surround)
* Subtitles: Japanese
* Special Features: Audio commentary by writer/director Kazuki Omori and special effects director Koichi Kawakita, "The Making of *Godzilla vs. Biollante*" featurette (50 minutes), four video commentaries on Biollante and the Super X-2, two teasers and two theatrical trailers, photo galleries

**Madman** DVD (2020) unreleased