United Productions of America, aka UPA, were famous for their Mr. Magoo and Dick Tracy animated shorts in the 1960s. However, the company wanted to move in a different direction, so producer Henry G. Saperstein was sent to Toho Studios. Given the popularity of the Godzilla films, UPA was hoping to acquire distribution rights to them in the USA. Saperstein ended up having tons of input in the production, from screenplay changes to casting American actor Nick Adams. Due to the lower budget, stock footage from previous films like Rodan, Mothra, and Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster was incorporated. While the suits for Rodan and King Ghidorah were reused, the Godzilla suit used was newly built for the film. Series regular Ishiro Honda once again directed though he would step away from the franchise for some time. In late 1965, Invasion of Astro-Monster was released to Japanese theaters.
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Synopsis
In the year 196X, astronauts Glenn (Nick Adams) and Fuji (Akira Takarada) are investigating the mysterious Planet X. There, they meet the Xiliens, a race of highly-intelligent humanoid aliens led by The Controller (Yoshio Tsuchiya). The Xiliens have been routinely attacked by what they call “Monster Zero”, which is actually King Ghidorah, and need help. They give the astronauts a message: if Earth allows them to borrow Godzilla and Rodan, they’ll offer a universal cure. Earth’s leaders agree to their teams, and the Xiliens take Godzilla and Rodan to Planet X to fight King Ghidorah. Unfortunately, the whole thing was a trick by the Xiliens to take control of Godzilla and Rodan to conquer Earth. As Earth is being attacked, our heroes must find a way to break the Xiliens’ control over the other monsters. Will our heroes succeed, or will the Xiliens rule over the Earth?
Review
Invasion of Astro-Monster, though again a major departure from what the series started as, is still a fun monster movie. Much like Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, this offers an ensemble of Toho’s finest monsters pitted against one another. The fight scenes on Planet X and Earth are a spectacle, the Planet X fight memorable for Godzilla’s victory dance. As silly as it is, it’s odd going from the seriousness of the original Godzilla to such a sight. While it’s clear the Ghidorah and Rodan suits are reused, the new Godzilla suit looks good and streamlined. Though they’re working with a smaller budget, the effects still look solid, with plenty of miniatures and pyrotechnics. The destruction scenes, along with the fight scenes, are fun as always, and the design of Planet X is unique. Plus, the ridiculous outfits of the Xiliens add to the film’s goofy, campy charm.
As far as the human characters go, the acting is solid all around, including American actor Nick Adams. Though he was added for American appeal, he does a good job and has great chemistry with his Japanese co-stars. Like the previous entries that he directed, Ishiro Honda manages to sneak some subtext in, namely being controlled by machines. Still, you can’t help but feel like he’s somewhat embarrassed to see his original symbol of destruction being more lighthearted. There’s also a subplot involving a Xilien woman sent as a spy who falls in love with Glenn added in. It further adds to the theme of people being controlled by machines and being able to break free. At roughly 90 minutes, the film goes by quickly, doesn’t overstay its welcome, and is enjoyable throughout. Overall, Invasion of Astro-Monster is goofy and silly, but still fun to watch.
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