Editing Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

{{short description|1993 film by Takao Okawara}}
{{About|the 1993 film|the 1974 film|Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla|the 2002 film|Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II
| image          = GVMGII.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| native_name    = {{Infobox Japanese| katakana=ゴジラvsメカゴジラ| revhep=Gojira tai Mekagojira}}
| director       = [[Takao Okawara]]
| producer       = [[Shōgo Tomiyama]]
| writer         = [[Wataru Mimura]]
| starring       = [[Masahiro Takashima]]<br/>Ryoko Sano<br/>[[Megumi Odaka]]<br/>[[Yûsuke Kawazu]] <br/>Daijiro Harada
| music          = [[Akira Ifukube]]
| cinematography = Yoshinori Sekiguchi
| editing        = Miho Yoneda
| studio         = [[Toho Pictures]]
| distributor    = [[Toho]]
| released       = {{film date|1993|12|11}}  <!-- Do not add the US release date here, please; see WP:FILMRELEASE. -->
| runtime        = 107 minutes
| country        = Japan
| language       = Japanese<br/>English
| budget         = {{¥|1 billion}} ({{US$|9.5 million|long=no}})<ref name="tohokingdom"/>
| gross          = {{US$|36 million|long=no}}<ref name=":0"/>
}}

{{Nihongo|'''''Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II'''''|ゴジラvsメカゴジラ|Gojira tai Mekagojira|released in Japan as '''''Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla'''''}}, is a 1993 Japanese ''[[kaiju]]'' film directed by [[Takao Okawara]], with special effects by [[Kōichi Kawakita]]. Distributed by [[Toho]] and produced under their subsidiary [[Toho Studios|Toho Pictures]], it is the 20th film in the [[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'' franchise]], as well as the fifth film to be released during the franchise's [[Godzilla (franchise)#Heisei era (1984–1995)|Heisei era]]. The film features the fictional monster character [[Godzilla]], along with [[Godzilla Junior|Baby Godzilla]], [[Rodan]] and the [[mecha]] character [[Mechagodzilla]]. Despite its English title, the film is not a sequel to the 1974 film ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla]]''.

''Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II'' was released theatrically in Japan on December 11, 1993, to generally positive reviews from critics. The film was a commercial success, generating a combined {{US$|194,000,000|1993|round=-6|long=no}} from the box office, book sales and merchandise sales by 1994.<ref name=":0"/> It was the first Japanese film to use [[Dolby Digital]] sound format. It was released directly to [[pay-per-view]] [[satellite television]] in the United States in 1998 by [[Sony Pictures Television]]. The film was promoted as the last film in the franchise's Heisei series, and was also promoted by a children's television program called ''[[Godzilland|Adventure! Godzilland 2]]''. Although ''Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II'' was not the final entry in the Heisei series, as it was followed by ''[[Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla]]'' in 1994, Toho producers initially wished to avoid competing with [[TriStar Pictures|TriStar]]'s then-upcoming [[Godzilla (1998 film)|''Godzilla'' reboot]].<ref name="kalat2010">{{cite book|last1=Kalat|first1=David|title=A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series|date=2010|publisher=McFarland & Co.|location=Jefferson, N.C.|isbn=978-0-7864-47-49-7|pages=196–201|edition=2nd}}</ref>

==Plot==
In the aftermath of [[King Ghidorah|Mecha-King Ghidorah]]'s defeat by the hand of [[Godzilla (Heisei)|Godzilla]] in 1992,{{efn|As depicted in ''[[Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah]]'' (1991).}} the [[United Nations]] establishes the "United Nations Godzilla Countermeasures Center" (UNGCC) to stop Godzilla. Their military branch, G-Force, salvages Ghidorah's remains and [[Reverse engineering|reverse engineers]] them to build two anti-Godzilla weapons: an aerial gunship called ''Garuda'' and a mecha modeled after Godzilla called [[Mechagodzilla]].

Two years later and one year after Godzilla battled [[Mothra]] and Battra in [[Yokohama]].{{efn|As depicted in ''[[Godzilla vs. Mothra]]'' (1992).}} While on a mission to Adonoa Island, the uncharted island located in [[Bering Sea]], a Japanese team comes across what they assume is a large ''[[Pteranodon]]'' egg. The egg gives off a telepathic signal that attracts Godzilla and [[Rodan]], an adult ''Pteranodon'' irradiated by nuclear waste. Godzilla critically wounds Rodan during the ensuing battle while the research team escapes with the egg. It is taken to a research center in [[Kyoto]], where it imprints on a young female scientist named Azusa Gojo. 

When a juvenile Godzillasaurus, named [[Godzilla Junior|Baby Godzilla]] by Gojo, hatches from the egg, the research team concludes that Baby's egg was left in the ''Pteranodon'' nest with Rodan in a manner similar to the [[Brood parasite|brood parasitism]] displayed by [[European cuckoo]]s. Godzilla appears, once again responding to Baby's psychic call. The [[Japan Self-Defense Forces|JSDF]] mobilizes Mechagodzilla, which intercepts Godzilla as he is heading to Kyoto. The two battle, with Mechagodzilla initially having the upper hand until Godzilla disables a mecha with his energy pulse. Godzilla continues searching for Baby, but the scientists, having discovered the telepathic link between the monsters, shield him from Godzilla. Frustrated, Godzilla destroys most of Kyoto before returning to the ocean.

Tests on the baby reveal that he has a [[Dinosaur intelligence#"Two brains" myth|second brain]] in his hips that controls the animal's movement. The UNGCC assumes that this also holds true for Godzilla's species and decide to use Baby to bait Godzilla into another fight with Mechagodzilla. The "G-Crusher" is installed into Mechagodzilla, which will allow the mecha to penetrate Godzilla's hide and destroy his second brain. [[Miki Saegusa]] is ordered to become a part of Mechagodzilla's crew to locate Godzilla's second brain. While she is reluctant due to her mental connection with Godzilla, she agrees. The plan backfires when Rodan, having survived his battle with Godzilla and further evolved by radiation and became Fire Rodan, responds to Baby's call and intercepts the UNGCC transport.

In response, they send Mechagodzilla and the upgraded ''Garuda'', piloted by Kazuma Aoki, after Rodan instead, which injure him in the process. Godzilla arrives soon after and attacks Mechagodzilla. The fight is evenly matched until Mechagodzilla merges with ''Garuda'' to become Super-Mechagodzilla. Mechagodzilla paralyzes Godzilla, but Rodan responds to Baby's call, sacrifices himself, and transfers his power to regenerates Godzilla's second brain. This empowers Godzilla, allowing him to destroy Mechagodzilla.

Godzilla locates Baby, who is initially afraid of Godzilla's gigantic size after Gojo bids him farewell. Miki telepathically communicates Baby, convincing him to go with Godzilla and the two monsters return to the ocean together.

==Cast==
{{castlist|
*[[Masahiro Takashima]] as Kazuma Aoki
*Ryoko Sano as Azusa Gojo
*[[Megumi Odaka]] as [[Miki Saegusa]]
*[[Yûsuke Kawazu]] as Professor Hiroshi Ohmae
*[[Akira Nakao]] as Takaki Aso
*[[Kenji Sahara]] as Takayuki Segawa
*[[Tadao Takashima]] as Chief Hosono
*Daijiro Harada as Takuya Sasaki
*Koichi Ueda as Iwao  Hyodo
*Leo Meneghetti as Dr. Leo Asimov
*Andrew Smith as Andrew Johnson
*Shelley Sweeney as Catherine Berger
*[[Kenpachiro Satsuma]] as [[Godzilla (Heisei)|Godzilla]]
*[[Wataru Fukuda]] as [[Mechagodzilla]]
*[[Hurricane Ryu]] as [[Godzilla Junior|Baby Godzilla]]
}}

==Production==
[[File:GvMG - behind scenes.png|thumb|[[Wataru Fukuda]] during a suit-fitting session]]

The fifth film in the [[Heisei period|Heisei]] series of ''Godzilla'' movies was originally meant to be the last, in order to avoid competing with the upcoming [[TriStar Pictures|TriStar]] American ''Godzilla'' reboot film (which was later delayed) and to honor the recent passing of [[Ishirō Honda]].<ref name="kalat2010"/> Toho had initially wanted to produce a remake of ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'', but were unable to acquire the rights to use the [[King Kong]] character from [[Universal Pictures]]. When that project was scrapped, Toho considered pitting Godzilla against Mechani-Kong, a [[mecha]] first introduced in ''[[King Kong Escapes]]''. The plot would have involved Mechani-Kong sporting syringes containing G-Force special forces which would have been injected into Godzilla's bloodstream in a manner similar to ''[[Fantastic Voyage]]'', though the project was abandoned, as obtaining the rights to a monster even bearing the semblance of King Kong proved too costly.<ref name="ryfle1998">{{cite book |title=Japan's Favorite Mon-Star: The Unauthorized Biography of the Big G |last=Ryfle |first=Steve |year=1998 |publisher=Toronto: ECW Press |isbn=1550223488 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/japansfavoritemo0000ryfl/page/n296 293] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/japansfavoritemo0000ryfl }}</ref>

Producers [[Tomoyuki Tanaka]] and [[Shōgo Tomiyama]] felt that reviving [[Mechagodzilla]] was a logical next step for the series after the successful reintroduction of [[King Ghidorah]] and [[Mothra]] to contemporary audiences. Furthermore, effects artist [[Koichi Kawakita]] had already demonstrated his competence in designing and creating [[mecha]] contraptions like the Super XII, Mecha-King Ghidorah, and the machines featured in ''[[Gunhed (film)|Gunhed]]''. The decision to reintroduce [[Minilla]] (rechristened as [[Godzilla Junior|Baby Godzilla]]) was made in order to appeal to the largely female audience that made ''[[Godzilla vs. Mothra]]'' a financial success, despite objections by director [[Takao Okawara]], who held a low opinion of the 1960s movies the character had previously been featured in.<ref name="kalat2010"/> In the original ending for the film, Godzilla destroys Garuda but is killed by Mechagodzilla. Garuda's nuclear reactor explodes and resurrects the King of the Monsters. Another ending was considered in which Godzilla's escaping life energy mutates Baby Godzilla into a new adult Godzilla,<ref>[http://www.tohokingdom.com/cutting_room/godzilla_vs_mechagodzilla2_1st.htm Lost Projects: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (Early Draft)], ''Toho Kingdom'' (accessed February 16, 2016)</ref> a concept that was later used in ''[[Godzilla vs. Destoroyah]]''.

Toho promoted the film as [[Akira Ifukube]]'s last performance as composer, and aired the children's program ''Adventure Godzilla-land'', which portrayed Godzilla and Mechagodzilla as rival news anchors reporting on the events of the upcoming movie, as well as featuring the dance routine "Be like Godzilla". Shortly after the movie was released, Toho further promoted the film's merchandise by opening a Godzilla-themed simulation ride in [[Sanrio Puroland]] called "Monster Planet of Godzilla", which featured [[Megumi Odaka]] as the captain of a spacecraft which lands on a planet inhabited by Godzilla, Rodan, and Mothra, who are then accidentally transported to contemporary Tokyo.<ref name="kalat2010"/>

Kawakita made more extensive use of [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] than in previous ''Godzilla'' movies he worked on, and made an effort for the featured monsters to be less reliant on energy beams during battle sequences, particularly [[Rodan]], who was portrayed via handpuppets and marionettes rather than through [[suitmation]]. Baby Godzilla was performed by series veteran [[Hurricane Ryu]], and was designed to look much more dinosaur-like than his previous incarnation. Mechagodzilla was redesigned to be much less angular in form, and was performed by [[Wataru Fukuda]]. The Mechagodzilla suit itself consisted of multiple separate elements which Fukuda wore like plate armor. Kawakita originally envisioned Mechagodzilla being able to split into aerial and terrestrial units, though this idea was scrapped in favor of the character merging with the flying battleship Garuda.<ref name="kalat2010"/> The new Godzilla suit was notably bulkier in profile than its predecessor, and had smaller shoulders and slimmer legs. The tail was also placed higher up the back, thus resulting in a very top-heavy appearance. Like the previous suit, the one used in ''Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II'' had an electronically operated head that could tilt its head independently of the body. The suit previously used for ''Godzilla vs. Mothra'' was recycled for the long shots during the battle with Rodan, the rampage through Tokyo, and the character's departure into the sea during the end credits.<ref name="biondi">Robert Biondi, "The Evolution of Godzilla – G-Suit Variations Throughout the Monster King’s Twenty One Films", ''G-FAN'' #16 (July/August 1995)</ref>

==Release==
===English versions===
{{more citations needed|date=August 2017}}

After the film was released in Japan, Toho commissioned a Hong Kong company to dub the film into English. In this international version of the movie, an English title card was superimposed over the Japanese title, as had been done with the previous 1990s ''Godzilla'' films.

In past English releases, including dubbed films and video game titles, Rodan's name was pronounced "roh-dan." In Japan, however, his name has always been pronounced (and spelled in ''[[katakana]]'') as "rah-dohn"(ラドン). In the English version of this film, the producers changed his name back to Radon, as it is in Japan.

[[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment]] released ''Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II'' on home video on August 3, 1999. This was the first time the film had been officially released in the United States. Instead of using the original [[monaural]] English dub, a newer [[stereo]] version was included, with the main characters' lines and most other dialog re-recorded by a mostly different Hong Kong cast. Most of the new cast did not start dubbing until the late '90s. The purpose or origin of this revised English version is unknown. TriStar additionally cut the end credits and created new titles and opening credits.

The original version of the international dub is not known to have ever been released on video in its complete form. The only evidence of its existence is in the Hindi theatrical version. The Hindi dubbing company lacked a clean music and effects track and only had access to a copy of the original English version. Therefore, English dialog was muted and replaced with library tracks and music from other parts of the film itself, but occasionally the English source track was left intact.<ref>[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3cmdm4 "Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla" (worse quality segments are from the Hindi version)]. dailymotion.com</ref>

An anamorphic widescreen transfer of the "new" English version was later released on DVD by TriStar in February 2005 with the option to listen to the original Japanese audio.

===Box office===
The film sold {{nowrap|3.8 million}} tickets in Japan, earning {{JPY|1.87 billion}} (roughly {{US$|18 million|long=no}}) in [[distributor rental]] income<ref name="tohokingdom">{{Cite web |title=Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II |url=https://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_vs_mechagodzilla_2.htm |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Toho Kingdom}}</ref> and {{¥|3.18 billion}} in gross receipts.<ref name="Eiga">{{cite web |title=『ゴジラVSメカゴジラ』の詳細情報 |url=http://www.eiga-ranking.com/movie/11472.html |website=Eiga Ranking |access-date=February 18, 2019}}</ref> The film grossed a total box office revenue of {{US$|36,000,000|1993|round=-6|long=no}} by 1994.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=July 29, 1994 |title=Godzilla about to return to old stomping grounds |pages=17 |work=Elyria Chronicle Telegram |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/elyria-chronicle-telegram-jul-29-1994-p-17/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 7, 2022 |quote=Toho Co., the producer of the films, says as many as {{nowrap|82 million}} people have bought tickets to Godzilla movies since they began appearing in 1954. Recent versions, according to Toho, have been the most profitable non-animated films in Japan. Last year's Godzilla vs. Mecha-Godzilla brought in {{US$|36 million|long=no}} at the box office and generated another {{US$|158 million|long=no}} in related sales of books and merchandise — huge numbers for the Japanese entertainment industry. |via=[[NewspaperArchive]]}}</ref>

===Critical response===
The film received mostly positive reviews. On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], an approval rating of 83% based on 6 reviews, with a [[average|rating average]] of 7.2/10."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_mechagodzilla_ii|title=Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla II (1993)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date=September 19, 2023}}</ref>

Monster Zero said that "some critical flaws exist" but felt overall that "of all the films of the [Heisei era], ''Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla II'' represents Toho's most technically and artistically successful effort," adding that "the action sequences in this film are impeccable... excitingly staged, logical, and quite dramatic."<ref>[http://monsterzero.us/editorials/editorials.php?catID=&subCatID=3&contentID=88 "Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla"]. monsterzero.us {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623175303/http://monsterzero.us/editorials/editorials.php?catID=&subCatID=3&contentID=88 |date=June 23, 2007 }}</ref>  American Kaiju said the film "stumbles in the areas of both story and special effects" but concluded it to be "a good, solid entry in the Godzilla series," saying that "the battles between Godzilla and Mechagodilla entertain" and "Akira Ifukube's music score soars."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://americankaiju.kaijuphile.com/articles/gvsmg2.shtml |title=American Kaiju: Mike Bogue's Articles and Reviews: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2 |publisher=Americankaiju.kaijuphile.com |date=December 11, 1993 |access-date=July 30, 2015}}</ref> Japan Hero said "the story was interesting," "the soundtrack is plain gorgeous," and "the costume designs are just as great," concluding: "While this is not my top favorite movie [of the Heisei series], it is definitely one of the best."<ref>[http://japanhero.com/kaiju/reviews/godzilla_vs_mechagodzila-1993.htm "Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla"]. japanhero.com {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509150536/http://japanhero.com/kaiju/reviews/godzilla_vs_mechagodzila-1993.htm |date=May 9, 2008 }}</ref>

===Home media===
The film has been released twice on home media.  The first release, by Columbia/Tristar Home Entertainment, was released on February 8, 2005.  The subtitles for the Japanese track are really "dubtitles" (the subtitles are actually the captions for the English track). The video transfer is a 1.78:1 widescreen version of TriStar's print. This means the Toho logos and end credits have been cut and all the onscreen, optical text from Toho's international version has been removed or replaced by video-generated text.

The second release was by Sony on Blu-ray as part of The Toho Godzilla Collection and was released on May 6, 2014, in a two-disc double feature with ''[[Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/64126/godzilla-vs-mechagodzilla-ii-godzilla-vs-spacegodzilla-set/ |title=Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II / Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (Blu-ray) : DVD Talk Review of the Blu-ray |publisher=[[Dvdtalk.com]]|access-date=July 30, 2015}}</ref>

===Merchandise===
In addition to its box office gross, the film generated a further {{US$|158,000,000|1993|round=-6|long=no}} from sales of books and merchandise by 1994, for a combined {{US$|194,000,000|1993|round=-6|long=no}} generated from the box office, book sales and merchandise sales, making it the most profitable non-[[Anime|animated]] [[Japanese film]] at the time.<ref name=":0" />

===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Recipient(s)
! scope="col"| Result
|-
| 1994
| 17th [[Japan Academy Film Prize]]
| Best Sound
| Kazuo Miyauchi
| {{nom}}
|-
|}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.jmdb.ne.jp/1993/dq002600.htm|title=ゴジラvsメカゴジラ (''Gojira tai MekaGojira'')|access-date=July 19, 2007|language=ja|publisher=[[Japanese Movie Database]]}}
*{{IMDb title|id=0107027|title=Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II}}
*{{rotten-tomatoes|id=godzilla_vs_mechagodzilla_ii|title=Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II}}

{{Godzilla|state=expand}}
{{Takao Okawara}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla Ii}}
[[Category:1990s Japanese-language films]]
[[Category:1990s monster movies]]
[[Category:1993 films]]
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[[Category:Films scored by Akira Ifukube]]
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