After the death of Godzilla in 1995’s GODZILLA VS. DESTROYAH, Toho studios decided to spotlight another of Godzilla’s friends/foes while waiting for the American GODZILLA 98 to be released. Since the biggest money maker of the nineties Godzilla (or Heisei series) films was 1992’s GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA, Toho decided to revive the giant insect Mothra, and give the creature a film series of it’s own, that would appeal to children and women as much as the mostly male monster fans. However, the powers that be at Toho decided to give these films a definite child-friendly tone very different from the gloom and doom that the city-destroying, people-stomping Godzilla series inspired. The result are three movies that you would expect to see on the Disney Channel, complete with little kids in lead roles and lots of singing fairies. However, the three Mothra films also offered some great monster action and improved special effects, despite scaled back budget budgets. Part of Columbia Tri-Star's deal with Toho gives them access to the Mothra trilogy, and they wisely released the first two films on DVD in their original aspect ratio and included enhancement for 16x9 TVs. For the Americanization, they dubbed them and changed the name of the films to REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 1 and 2.

If you liked Devlin and Emmerich's GODZILLA 98, and are looking for more of the same Hollywood blockbuster effects, you won’t find them here. But the filmmakers managed to successfully merge medium budget CGI techniques with traditional effects, and together with the panoramic photography make for some colorful eye candy. If you are the type of person who can enjoy a whimsical, G-rated movie like THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, then you might enjoy the charms of these monster mashes.

REBIRTH OF MOTHRA is the worst film of the trilogy, but sets up the story arch and characters for the rest of the series. The best thing about REBIRTH OF MOTHRA is the evil monster called Death Ghidorah, a three headed monster similar to Godzilla’s mortal enemy though quite different. Unfortunately, Death Ghidorah’s doesn’t want to destroy cities, only nature (and without city destruction scenes to film, that saves Toho $$$). Two kids and some fairies manage to lure Mothra from her home on a remote island to come to the mainland and battle Death Ghidorah before the creature can destroy the forests of Japan. Mothra’s egg hatches and the larval stage Mothra joins the battle for nature.

REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 2 is better than the first film, even though it stars the same kids and fairies. This time Mothra battles another creature that threatens Earth’s ecology named Dagara. However, this film delves more into sci-fi territory and includes a sub-text about the downfall of an ancient civilization. REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 2 also features some destruction scenes, more CGI effects, great underwater photography, and overall better script and production values.

Each movie has some annoying kiddie moments, but it’s no more annoying than anything you would see on Nickelodeon. There are a couple of times in each film where the fairies/priestesses break from the narrative and sing Japanese folk songs in true music-video fashion. This too, is considered annoying by many, but at least when the vocals are done you know it means it’s monster action time. The scripts are ripe with plot holes and clichés, just like American fantasy films! But Columbia Tri-Star gives you your moneys worth by releasing two uncut widescreen films on one DVD. You can probably purchase this DVD from an online retailer for about $20.

SIGHT

Both these films were originally released in the 1.85.1 widescreen ratio. Columbia Tri-Star produces 16x9 enhanced widescreen transfers which are even more sharp and detailed than the laserdiscs. Each film has a glossy, Hollywood-style luster, with vivid color and contrast. Contrast and brightness are superior with perfect shadow detail. The cinematography is very detailed in the transfer, and the panoramic widescreen images convey a sense of majesty to the mammoth critters. Koichi Kawakita handles the special effects for both films, and the special effects work are very detailed. Kawakita’s EFX crew have mastered the seamless branching of the miniatures compositing techniques with CGI effects (especially on REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 2). The foregrounds, backgrounds, and the especially the monsters, are full of colorful detail. As good as the effects scenes are, the interior and exterior scenes involving the human cast look even better and sharper. To summarize, the widescreen transfers on this DVD are the best the films will ever look. Too bad the plotlines could not live up to the visuals.

SOUND

Columbia Tri-Star mastered this double feature DVD in Dolby Digital 2.0 from the original theatrical elements. The only changes made to the mix is the removal of the Japanese dialog, and replacement with an English dub track. The English dubbing is very well done and is on a par with recent Jackie Chan dubs such as RUMBLE IN THE BRONX and SUPERCOP. The English dialog emanates from the center speaker. This is a very powerful Dolby Digital Stereo mix. The mix has lots of directionality and clarity, even at high volumes (there is no distortion). The bass is great and adds an extra dimension to the mayhem. Mothra and its monster opponents fly by the camera and the soundtrack rumbles. With each blow, collision, and explosion, the speakers rumble with undistorted bass. The sound field puts you right in the middle of the action, surrounded by monster growls and other ambiance. Composer Toshiyuki Watanabe is no Ifukube, but he manages to put together a score that brings to mind Jerry Goldsmith. The music is clean and powerful and cuts through the sound field and leaks out of the rear speakers. The sound effects, the score, and dubbing, are all expertly synchronized, and one does not overpower the others (like in most dubbed movies).

FEATURES

No extras, not even trailers.

CONCLUSION

These two Mothra films are not as good as the Godzilla Heisei series, but may be enjoyed by fans of 1950s/60s/70s creature features. There is some cheesiness just like in films of that era, but the movies deliver 1990s-style production values, CGI effects, and surround sound. Columbia Tristar did a wonderful job presenting these movies in widescreen for the first time, and for mastering a kick-ass soundtrack. The only thing that’s missing is the Japanese dialog with English subtitles for the purists. But since Toho has not yet produced any DVDs in Japan (because Laserdisc is still king there), they have a clause disallowing US home video companies from releasing Japanese language versions over here, because they would be hot items on the Japan import market. The only other thing I can complain about is a lack of extras. But that pretty much sums up Columbia Tri-star in the world of DVD; they are known for very high quality DVDs but without any extras (excluding some of their special editions like HEAVY METAL).

REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 1 and 2 is available at DVDEmpire

GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH/GODZILLA VS MOTHRA: BATTLE FOR THE EARTH is available at DVDEmpire

GODZILLA, MOTHRA, KING GHIDORAH,: ALL MONSTERS ATTACK is available from DVDEmpire.com

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