The Return of Godzilla Review

Review of The Return of Godzilla (1984) by screenqueeen: 👍 3.5/5

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A weird hybridization of some of the more serious parts of GODZILLA films past mixed with its medium-sized goofy efforts makes this kinda tepid. It has its moments, like a fun Russian nuclear sub panic and a warhead fired from satellite orbit accidentally (where I honestly gasped), plus big G's beautiful big dopey eyes and his sad fate once the countermeasures to destroy him are set in motion and get pretty far.

But nothing comes close to how the Super X looks, floating around Tokyo like some pre-STARSHIP TROOPERS hovercraft firing cadmium shells into Godzilla until he retreats. For some reason it represents the most earnest efforts of the silliest stuff the GODZILLA sequels has had to offer. It just feels a little disingenuous that it decides to ignore everything but the first film yet it could have just as easily embraced the influences it clearly cashes in on. Feels more Honda-lite if anything, however.