Watch Terror of Mechagodzilla

In 1975, Toho Studios released the 15th installment of their beloved kaiju (giant monster) series with Terror of Mechagodzilla. This film marked the return of director Ishiro Honda, who had helmed the original Godzilla in 1954, and introduced a new and formidable foe for Godzilla: Mechagodzilla. The film opens with the aftermath of the previous film, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974), where Godzilla and his ally King Caesar had defeated the metallic menace. However, the nefarious alien race known as the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens have salvaged the wreckage of Mechagodzilla and are resurrecting it with the help of their latest creation, Titanosaurus. The two monsters join forces to wreak havoc on Tokyo while the alien leader, Mugal, schemes to conquer Earth.

The human protagonists are led by Interpol agent Jiro Murakoshi (played by Katsuhiko Sasaki), who becomes smitten with a young scientist named Akira Ichinose (Tomoko Ai) as they work together to investigate the mysterious disappearance of several marine biologists. Eventually, their investigation leads them to the aliens' underground base on the ocean floor, where they encounter the now-completed Mechagodzilla and its operator, the cyborg scientist Dr. Shinzo Mafune (Akihiko Hirata).

Mafune is a tragic figure, having been shunned by the scientific community due to his unorthodox theories of using sound waves to control marine life. He aligns himself with the aliens in exchange for their help in reviving his daughter, Katsura (Tomoko Ai), who has been turned into a cyborg after a fatal accident. Katsura is programmed to operate Mechagodzilla and dreams of using the machine to conquer the world alongside her fellow aliens.

The climax of the film sees all the monsters battling it out in the heart of Tokyo, with Jiro and Akira desperately trying to sabotage Mechagodzilla and prevent the aliens from carrying out their plan. The final showdown between Godzilla and Mechagodzilla is especially memorable, with the former utilizing his signature atomic breath to blast off the robotic monster's head.

Terror of Mechagodzilla was a fitting end to the original Godzilla series, as it brought back many of the key players from the original film (including Honda, Hirata, and composer Akira Ifukube) and offered a fresh twist on the kaiju formula. The film is especially noteworthy for its dark and brooding tone, as well as its exploration of such themes as misplaced loyalty, scientific hubris, and the dangers of technology.

Overall, Terror of Mechagodzilla stands as one of the high points of the Godzilla series and a must-watch for any kaiju fan. Its blend of thrilling monster battles, compelling human drama, and haunting score make it a fitting and satisfying finale to the Heisei era of Godzilla films.

Terror of Mechagodzilla is a 1975 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.