Today’s quick review: Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters. Twenty years after they were forced to flee the Earth by the invincible monster Godzilla, the last human colony ship, low on supplies and out of options, returns home. To reclaim their planet, the colonists must accomplish what the previous generation failed to do: figure out Godzilla’s weakness. Their only hope is a plan concocted by Haruo (Mamoru Miyano), a disobedient young soldier.
Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters is a Japanese animated science fiction movie that reimagines the story of Godzilla in the distant future. Set thousands of years after monsters conquered the Earth, although only twenty years for the spacefaring survivors, Planet of the Monsters pits humanity’s futuristic technology against the enormous beast that first drove them from their planet. The story focuses on Haruo, a brash soldier with the drive to reclaim Earth.
Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters follows a simple recipe: colony ship drama leading into a full-scale attack on Godzilla. The action is back-loaded but fairly satisfying once it kicks off. The animation is cel-shaded CGI that comes across as stiff in places, but the detailed models, colorful visuals, and fast-paced action are enough to make the style work. The movie does skimp a little on plot, sticking mainly to the execution of Haruo’s plan.
Still, Planet of the Monsters is the first movie in a trilogy, and it shows. The film has little character development, lots of world-building, and a linear plot that saves its only twists for the very end. As such, Planet of the Monsters is more setup than payoff. Everything in the movie is handled competently, but it suffers from tunnel vision, sacrificing plot complexity and attention to the supporting cast to better prepare for the sequel.
Fans of sci-fi action may want to give Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters a shot. Though it misses a few opportunities to stand on its own feet, its premise and execution are solid enough to make it a worthwhile watch for sci-fi fans. Those hoping for a complete story may want to hold off. For a similar style of anime sci-fi, check out Blame!. For anime sci-fi with more detailed CGI and more flair, check out Harlock: Space Pirate.
6.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for decent execution on an interesting premise.