Can a Country Survive When Two Gargantuas Battle to Death?

Starring: Russ Tamblyn, Kumi Mizuno, Kenji Sahara, Nobuo Nakamura, Jun Tazaki, Hisaya Ito, Yoshifumi Tajima

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"Doctor, if your theory is right, and the Army should blow them to pieces, we could end up with millions of monsters!" - Dr. Yuzo Majida, after hearing that the creatures grow from individual cells.

Why watch this? No Toto Studio film terrified me like this one - I had nightmares!

Plot Summary: Two giant, humanoid creatures, referred to as Gargantuas, appear in Japan, one brown and gentle, the other green and savage. Scientists try to understand and save the brown Gargantua, Sanda, while the military seeks to destroy the destructive green Gargantua, Gaira. Their contrasting natures lead to a fierce conflict as Sanda attempts to curb his brother's violent tendencies, ultimately resulting in a destructive battle for Tokyo.

Dad's Preview: At age 10, I was accustomed to the Shōwa period films where Godzilla was basically man's ally. This movie was much darker and graphic. The first half of the film follows a green, sea-based monster, called Gaira, that destroys everything and consumes humans! When a brown beast, Sanda, shows up, it is more protective of humankind. This sparks an unforgettable battle, good vs. evil, in the middle of the sea, amid and erupting volcano! Actor Brad Pitt credited this film as the first that inspired him to become an actor - I swear that it's true. 

Toho Co. Ltd; Maron Films