Review: Godzilla vs. Hedorah

A constantly evolving smog monster monikered Hedorah arrives to cause havoc across Japan. The solution? Giant radioactive fire-breathing lizard Godzilla.

Also known as “Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster” this 1971 kaiju film from director Yoshimitsu Banno (a second unit director with his second and last big assignment at the helm) and co-writer Takeshi Kimura (the brilliant “Destroy All Monsters”, as well as “Godzilla vs. Gigan” and “Godzilla vs. Megalon”) is one of the strongest Godzilla movies of the 1970s, possibly even the best from that period. It still takes a more juvenile POV than some of you might like, but unlike “Godzilla’s Revenge” and “Son of Godzilla”, I think this is a bit better made. Yes, there’s a kid in this one and we first meet him playing with a Godzilla toy and calling him his ‘superhero’. However, the uptick in quality here is definitely noticeable.

It’s a very environmentally-concerned film, albeit 1970s Japan’s version of environmentally concerned. Still, the film is definitely about something it cannot be denied, and at times reminded me a little of the later “Shin Godzilla” (I think this is better than that slow-moving film, though). The environmental aspect for me is the most interesting thing in the film, as the child envisages Godzilla as a champion of environmental causes. Sure, it’s a bit nonsensical given the big green lizard’s genesis, but still…I appreciate the social conscience. Hedorah is quite simply one of the ugliest, and most rubbery-looking of all kaiju, and that’s no complaint. It’s conceptually very appropriate for Hedorah to be an ugly, smog-emitting monster (It looks like a combo of “Yog: Monster From Space” and Zoidberg from “Futurama”). It flies too, even if that makes no goddamn sense whatsoever. Yes, Hedorah is basically a transformer turning into a flying saucer when need be. Also not making any goddamn sense is Hedorah’s origin/makeup. At one point it’s apparently a space creature made out of metallic components, but the next minute we’re told that we created it with our toxic waste. WTF? Is it from Earth or not? Is it Metallic or made from toxic waste? The film is completely bonkers though, to the point where you’re wondering if Hedorah isn’t actually LSD in monster form or perhaps the kid’s tripping on some bad brown acid and imagining Hedorah. It’s one of my favourite Godzilla opponents ever, because conceptually/thematically it’s very similar to Godzilla as well. So I’ll forgive the film for being a bit confusing, because ultimately the environmental themes are quite interesting, if imperfectly handled (Apparently the dubbed American release has the creature being from Outer Space, so perhaps my subtitled version has mixed the two origins together somewhat).

It’s very, very 70s, starting with the wannabe Shirley Bassey opening song (‘Filthy polluted sea, filthy polluted sky’ go the lyrics…it’s catchy stuff) and Maurice Binder-esque title design. We also get the requisite freak-out disco dancing scene, and a trippy WTF animated sequence out of nowhere. Far out, Mr. Roboto! Godzilla’s entrance emerging backlit by a sunset is obviously just a guy in a suit standing in front of a projected image. However, it’s a striking entrance nonetheless. On the downside, the music score by Riichiro Manabe (“Godzilla vs. Megalon”) is cheap-sounding and extremely annoying. Thankfully, cons are few in this one and the monster action is a lot of fun. Before 1991’s hyper-violent “Story of Ricky”, here’s Godzilla punching right through Hedorah, albeit in far less gruesome fashion. Then Godzilla takes the Smog Monster for a swing through the window of a mah-jong establishment of some sort. Look for the bit where Hedorah shoots black boogers in Godzilla’s eyes. Also choice, is an hilarious moment when Hedorah uses its lasers on Godzilla’s hands, and Godzilla is all ‘Ouchy, ouchy! Hot! Ah, fuck!’ about it. Speaking of Godzilla’s hands, Godzilla looks quite ugly in this (not a complaint) with creepy bone-y hands. It might be one of the best Godzilla suit designs of all-time, actually. After getting shot in the hands, Godzilla does become quite merciless and Murder Death Kill towards the end, which is surprising given the film is rather juvenile-oriented for the most part. I liked that the lighting of the monster scenes is often as dark as the monsters themselves, though the choice of shot selection and angles sometimes isn’t advantageous. The close-up shots in particular aren’t especially effective.

Regarded by some as one of the worst Godzilla films ever made (but also Roger Ebert’s favourite Godzilla film), is this a good film by any traditional way of critical thinking? Not exactly, but it’s fascinatingly weird from start to finish and pretty easy to recommend to fans of this kind of thing. Hedorah is a memorably weird and disgusting opponent. The farting brass music score is terrible, though. One final fun fact: Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka and Toho Studios were so disappointed with what Yoshimitsu Banno gave them that he was banned from working on another Godzilla film while Tanaka was alive. Years after Tanaka’s death, he ended up executive producer of Gareth Edwards’ “Godzilla”, getting the last laugh over Tanaka…or at least a happy ending.

Rating: B-