Half the charm of kaiju movies is the human element, because there has still yet to be a day when Godzilla, despite all his talents, can command the screen for ninety minutes alone. It’s tiny people that make this wondrous world go ’round, and that’s why it’s a shame that the people in Destroy All Monsters are so bland. Photographers and ace reporters might not vital in the struggle against giant monsters, but they sure know how to lighten up a party. However when the room is filled with nothing but scientists and astronauts, things tend to be pretty stiff. If you’re going to wear bright clothes and bring so much attention to yourself, at least have the courtesy to be interesting!
This particular bunch of bipeds drags the movie to a crawl, and even dare to steal an additional scene for themselves after the film’s climatic battle, showing just how boring saving the earth can be when you really try. At the risk of sounding misogynistic, the heroes are at their best only when confronting alien-possessed women and giving them a good shake! Where’s the drinking? Where’s the jovial camaraderie? Where’s the love?
Even the aliens are boring. The Keelak have absolutely none of the style and panache of the alien invaders from Planet X, but let’s give credit where credit is due. They still took the earth to the brink of conquest—not bad for a race of space slugs. They didn’t even waste time trying to infiltrate our society with false promises of friendship; the Keelak just get up in our sh*t, and they make sure their human-slaves are well-dressed too.
Despite all that, youthful fondness makes me forgive how flavorless the human-folk are in this film, because when you’re a kid—hell, even as an adult, all you really want is more monsters, and in that regard Destroy All Monsters neither disappoints or farts around. You want Godzilla? You get Godzilla. You want Anguiras? You get Anguiras. You want Rodan and Mothra? You get Rodan and Mothra! You want Varan? Then you’re an idiot, because Varan is garbage, but alas he’s here too.
And it’s fun to watch the rest of the world’s monuments get in their fair share of lumps for a change. Man might discriminate, but monsters don’t. Russia, France… no nation goes unscathed. Godzilla does more damage to New York in one scene than that Sony-abomination did his entire movie. Naturally, they save their biggest beating for Tokyo, but truth be told, the military does more damage to the city that the monsters. Maybe Godzilla isn’t impervious afterall; that’s just a myth conjured by the army to cover-up for their lousy aim.
Understanding some of the technical back-story helps explain some on-screen behavior. Gorosaurus tunneling into Paris doesn’t make a lot of sense when you think about it, though think of how much more exciting Jurassic Park would have been in the T-Rex sprang up from a mound of earth and got in Sam Neill’s face? The truth is that scene was originally meant for Baragon, but the Baragon suit was too damaged to use. The same went for Varan, but Varan sucks, so no loss there.
The finale blew my young mind away then, still amazes me now. Every monster amassed for a ruckus to end all rucki! It raises the bar that has never been even closely reached since, and undoubtedly had an influence on a young Vince McMahon. The climatic battles from Ghidorah and Monster Zero get taken to the next level — Ghidorah is simply bad ass, and all the earth monsters get a moment to shine (except for Manda and Baragon, who had the good sense to stand on the sideline where they belong), until righteous teamwork takes him down, and they literally stomp the mess out of the three-headed dragon once and for all! Not only is it visually impressive, it’s also an audio treat, as each monster’s respective roar is heard. Except for Varan. Varan, you freakin’ loser… I just don’t like you!
A classic score. It’s as simple as that.
You got the name-brand heavyweights in Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra and Ghidorah. Midcarder Anguiras nearly steals the show and Gorosaurus makes a name for himself, since he knows no one remembers him from King Kong Escapes in the first place. Varan’s absense isn’t missed at all (as if one would notice his involvement even if he did try).
Scientists are a boring lot, and require the company of reporters, photographers, and garage inventors in order for their lives to be the least interesting. It’s a fact!
All of the earth’s monsters are on the loose, and unapologetic aliens are unabashedly controlling them. You can’t get much higher stakes than that.
Aliens controlling monsters isn’t strange, but that it requires so many brightly-garbed men to pilot a rocket is. What purpose does the rest of the crew serve? Ballast?
Fortunately, Destroy All Monsters gives you monsters early and often, because the story may be too straightforward for it’s own good. When a world-renowned monument isn’t being renovated by a rampaging radioactive reptile, it’s hard to be particularly moved by the proceedings.
Monsters don’t mind smashing cities per se, but they do take great offense at being told to do so. And they will kill you for it!
