GHIDORAH: THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER is just plain terrific. It has four – count ‘em, four! – classic monsters in Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, and the titular Ghidorah. It has Martian princesses, secret service agents, even cute kids. And it has … wait for it … Takashi Shimura in a supporting role as a brave scientist who comes through in the clutch.
Toss in solid puppet and costume work, a funky soundtrack, and even kaiju détente, and you have the makings of a great film for a rainy Saturday afternoon.
No, I’m not going to outline the plot. It’s a mid-‘60’s Godzilla movie, but it’s one of the good ones. That’s all you need to know: either you’re down with it or you aren’t. In the absence of critical reflection or even a by-the-numbers review, I’ll instead offer this little vignette, direct from the couch in my basement.
INT. ELLERMANN BASEMENT – AFTERNOON
A heavy rainstorm thrums outside. ALEX (the father) and IAN (the son) sit on the couch watching a Godzilla movie. ALEX has the remote in his hand.
ALEX (pausing the remote)
See that man, Ian? That’s Takashi Shimura. He’s one of the greatest actors the human race has ever produced, and he’s been in some of the greatest films ever made. That, son, is what excellence looks like.
IAN
Was he in “Kung Fu Panda?”
ALEX
No.
IAN
Was he in “Rocky?”
ALEX
No.
IAN
What was he in, then?
ALEX
He was “Ikiru,” “Yojimbo,” “The Seven Samurai,” “Stray Dog,” and even the original “Gojira.”
IAN
“Gojira” was too scary. I like the later Godzilla movies, where the monster looks more fake and they’re kind of silly.
ALEX
He was in “Mothra,” too.
IAN
Oh, cool! “Mothra” was awesome!
ALEX
There you go.
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