The monster-about-town becomes doting dad when he adopts orphan lizard Minilla, the result of a radioactive storm caused by a scientific experiment gone wrong. This decidedly juvenile affair shows signs of the series' cost-cutting measures and Godzilla himself has been redesigned to reflect his new, younger audience, with an oversize head and big, doll-like eyes. This kindler, gentler lizard king proceeds to protect the happy-go-lucky kid from the newly mutated giant insects of the island and teaches him how to breathe fire. Much of the film is played for comedy--Minilla blowing smoke rings instead of flames, skipping rope with Dad's tail, skittering about like a mischievous little kid as put-upon Godzilla tries to keep the tyke focused--and is obviously aimed at Godzilla's enormous adolescent audience. But as always, the picture delivers great monster battles, notably with the mutant spider giant Kumonga. --Sean Axmaker
No Description Available. Genre: Science Fiction Rating: PG Release Date: 6-DEC-2005 Media Type: DVD
Sweet movie. Baby Godzilla is very cute in it. The music is nice and there is a giant spider in it too. The film is very thrilling and adorable. I really loved it.
"Son of Godzilla is one of the best"
Written By: Angilasman
The comedic antics of Minya (the eponymous Godzilla tadpole) and the ugly face of the Godzilla costume in this one have caused Son of Godzilla to be unfairly written off as a lesser film in the series. It's actually a gem of a movie with a great cast, a suitably suspenseful plot for a family sci-fi film, a fun version of Godzilla who manages to be a fearsome monster and hero at the same time, and truly great baddie monsters in Kamakurus (giant mantis) and Kumonga (giant spider).
One of my favorites.
This DVD sadly doesn't include the original English version of this film, instead using an inferior dub from Hong Kong, but since we can watch the movie in the original langauge with subtitles that isn't so bad.
"An exotic and Fun-filled Godzilla Classic!"
Written By: Roberta Landaas
A team of scientist and a nosy reporter settle on an almost uninhabited island to test a weather experiment which accidentally causes a radioactive storm that mutates the islands insects into Giant Hungry Monsters. Godzilla arrives to defend his infant son from the Giant Mantis's and a massive deadly spider called Spiga. Throughout the film we also see Godzilla as a father figure trying to toughen up his son who is pretty comical but the film is also filled with awesome Monster brawl scenes.
To start, the setting is pretty sweet. Unlike the past where everything takes place in Tokyo, we finally have a change of scenery where things are less civilized and we are forced to see giant monster fight without retreating. The plot is easy to follow and the acting isn't too cheesy.
The main Villain Spiga AKA Kumonga, is what really reeled me in. A humongous spider with an intention of killing everything in its path its just awesome. Its webbing ability is used for evil as opposed to the Larva Mothra and the final battle where Godzilla and his son take on the wicked foe during a raging blizzard is just intense!
Overall this is a great Godzilla movie. One of my personal favorites.
"Tadzilla?!"
Written By: Mark Rainey
A group of Japanese scientists set up a station on Solgel Island to conduct weather control experiments. However, an accident causes their experiment to go out of control, and several gigantic, mutated preying mantises are created. In turn, they unearth a gigantic egg, from which an odd reptilian creature emerges--Minira, a.k.a. Minya, the son of Godzilla (once dubbed "Tadzilla" by Forry Ackerman in the pages of Famous Monsters of Filmland, and the name stuck). Soon, Godzilla emerges from the sea to save his offspring from the predatory monsters. He has no sooner defeated them when another mutant, a hideous giant spider, appears, and the monsters engage in another ferocious battle. To save themselves, the scientists commence a new weather experiment, this time turning the island into a frigid, snow-covered wasteland, forcing the monsters into deep-frozen hibernation.
Son of Godzilla is often maligned by fans, citing Godzilla's "cute" offspring and the decidedly inferior Godzilla suit as its primary weaknesses. However, the story is highly imaginative, and the ensemble cast includes some of Toho's finest talent. The giant, mutated island creatures--a trio of monstrous preying mantises (known as Kamakiras) and a huge spider (Kumonga, a.k.a. Spiga)--come off remarkably well, particularly in the battle scenes.
While Son of Godzilla ventures farther into juvenile territory than past entries in the series, it features some clever humor, exciting action, and occasionally brilliant special effects. The film never received a theatrical release in the United States, and having been relegated for years to airings of second-rate prints, the movie is done reasonable justice by Sony's beautiful-quality DVD. No extra features of any note, alas.
"FAMILY FUN, FAMILY AWSOME"
Written By: J. Noble
I remember watching this years ago and loving it. Its funny, and aimed for kids but as an adult i still love this film. is it me or is Godzilla a dick in this movie? he is not the best parent in this film. but its the big G so you gotta love him. Giant mantis and SPIDER and lovley hot island girl and goodfy scientists and i wanted ultraman to show up kind of. it reminded me of the science patrole. but yeah Godzilla is awsome. his some is a goofy cute ugly thing. Son of Godzilla will have your kids loving the Big G as much as you do. get it, it is one of the best.
"A Kid's review"
"Tadzilla?!"
