Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992) Review- By Michael J. Carlisle

Title: Godzilla vs. Mothra
Year: 1992
Director: Tadao Okawara
Country: Japan
Language: English

Gone were the days of Toho Studios losing money from the Godzilla series, Godzilla vs. Mothra raked in the most money of any Godzilla film since King Kong vs. Godzilla, and ranked second only to Jurassic Park at the Japanese box-office that year. Former director Kazuki Omori returned as screenwriter only, and new director Tadao Okawara took over the reins. Okawara would prove to be one of the best Godzilla directors.

In the midst of another rampage by Godzilla, Mothra emerges to save the human race from Battra. 

Due to approximately 70% of the Japanese audience being women, Okawara positioned Mothra to directly appeal to female viewers. This was crucial for being a commercial and critical success in the country. Godzilla vs. Mothra is closer to a remake of 1960’s Mothra, which was also a pretty decent flick. Godzilla himself plays more of a supporting role, acting as the villain when needed.

Godzilla vs. Mothra is a light picture compared to the original, which served as a metaphor for mankind's nuclear destruction and Japan's atomic fear following the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The battles are impressive however. When Battra and Mothra unite to join forces to beat Godzilla, throwing him into a Ferris wheel in the process, you can't help but sit in awe.

The box-office sweep of Godzilla vs. Mothra ignited the creative fires at Toho. Next year’s Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II would prove to be even better. This is a fairly decent film in the series and was fairly enjoyable to watch.