A direct sequel to 2002's "Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla", this film opens with Mothra's twin-fairy familiars appearing at the home of Shinichi Chujo (Hiroshi Koizumi, last seen in this role in 1961's "Mothra") with a warning that unless the original Godzilla's remains (parts of which are incorporated into MechaGodzilla) are released into the ocean, Mothra will declare war on mankind; alternatively, if the mecha is decommissioned, Mothra will defend humans against incursions by Godzilla (last seen driven off by MechaGodzilla but still alive). When Godzilla reappears in Tokyo, Mothra does indeed attack him in her ineffectual way, blowing him about with the wind from her wings and, suicidally, sprinkling him with the scales that she need to stay aloft. At this juncture, MechaGodzilla is dropped into the fray. Both of mankind's defenders are defeated but, it is revealed, Mothra had laid an egg on a nearby island, which hatches releasing twin 'caterpillers', who quickly swim to Japan and attack Godzilla. As usual, the larval Mothras are more effective than the adult morph, biting the tip of Godzilla's tail (which he hates) and attempting to immobilize him with silk. What follows is the expected pyrotechnics, destruction scenes, and monster/human heroics, as attempts are made to resuscitate MechaGodzilla while Godzilla is distracted by the larva and the intrepid pilots of the "White Herons". As Godzilla films go, this one is pretty good, with great special effects (both CGI and models/suit-mation) and an entertaining story. Since MechaGodzilla was introduced in the previous film and Mothra is involved in this one, the usual kaiju pseudoscience is replaced by pseudo-spirituality (which seems inconsistent at times, as despite the fairies' warnings, both Mothra's larval and adult stages seem willing to accept MechaGodzilla's help in the fight). The deal the fairies make to Chujo would resonate in Japan, as the offer is essentially the choice between defending yourself or 'demilitarising' and relying on a powerful ally, issues the Japanese have been wrestling with since the end of the Pacific War in 1945. Once again, Toho brings back characters from the early kaiju films, which adds a nice touch of continuity of the Godzilla-verse (although collective kaiju amnesia is still at work, as previous interventions by Mothra (e.g. 1963's "Godzilla vs. the Thing") or MechaGodzilla (e.g. 1975's "Terror of MechaGodzilla") have been forgotten). The battle scenes (the raison d'être for everything else in the film) are very well done, especially destruction of Tokyo (the collapse of Tokyo Tower is a standout). The Mothra puppet looks much better than the wooly version in 1992's preachy "Godzilla vs. Mothra", as does the star-kaiju and his cybernetic twin. As usual, the mecha has to fire off all of its arsenal of cannon, missiles, masers, etc. before activating the weapon that might actually work, contributing to the collateral damage but making the movie more visually exciting. All of the standard Godzilla characters are back and the acting is typically melodramatic and over-the-top (I was watching a subtitled version but the tough-guy posturing and heroic sentimentality is unmistakable). The military mobilization scenes just get better and better as the series progresses (compare shots of tanks in this film with the wobbly plastic models rolling up to be melted in the '60's films). "Tokyo SOS", the 28th entry in the franchise, doesn't bring much new to the table, but is a well done and entertaining monster rumpus, although neophytes to the genre might be slightly put off by the new-agey spirituality as personified by the tiny, and now scantily clad, twin fairies. Unlike the preceding film, MechaGodzilla's name "Kiryu" is not used in the subtitles (but is spoken by the actors) and plot points involving the mecha's 'connection' with Godzilla and its reluctance to fight at times might seem inexplicable to viewers who have not seen the previous film.

As my summary says, how often is the sequel better than the first movie? Not very often, but here it is. While I rated both Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla and this one a 7/10, I'd actually rate this one a 7.5/10 if I could. Why? The human side of the movie, but more on that later. Just as an FYI if you already didn't know, this is the only sequel in the Millennium series. Godzilla vs Megaguirus, for example, does not acknowledge Godzilla 2000 or any other movies. Same for G2K or GMK, etc. Final Wars is a bit more debatable in that they show footage from each of the three series.Characters are much better than in previous film. True, the lead character is the same seemingly depressed military member that we've seen for the third time now in the Millennium series, but here his life his just plain carried out better and explored more. It feels like less than an excuse to cut away from the monster action.The monsters look good. Godzilla is the same as last year, and with the exception of the replacement for MG's Absolute Zero Cannon, Mechagodzilla is the same as well. Mothra looks pretty decent, although certainly not as good as she did in GMK. Her larvae look better than they ever have with their mouth movements. Action wise, these monsters carry themselves very well and their movements aren't always predictable, making for an entertaining watch.So as I said, I like this even more than GAMG, and if I could I'd give it that extra half point in the ratings. I genuinely am saddened when it is first revealed that Mothra is dying, yet she fights on. What courage and selflessness. Then she makes the ultimate sacrifice that much more real to the audience when she saves her offspring at the expensive of her own life. The first time you watch it, it might just water your eyes a bit. And these emotions are part of the beauty that make it better than GAMG.As a side note, some viewers have suggested that the lab scene post-credits indicates that Toho wanted to follow up this series with a third installment as opposed to doing something new like Final Wars. This is not the case, but rather a reminder that sometimes we humans just don't learn, even after we've seen the effects of our actions.

This is one of the few Godzilla movies I have seen (the others are "Godzilla vs King Ghidorah" and the American movie) and this is the best of them. This is a cheesy movie, naturally, but it is very entertaining and enjoyable. The battles between the different monsters (Godzilla, Mechagodzilla and Mothra) are absolutely terrific and it is obvious that the creators of this film had great fun with it. The plot is nothing spectacular, really - Godzilla attacks Tokyo and Mechagodzilla and Mothra try to stop it - but who cares about the plot when huge monsters are beating the hell out of each other? There are also some touching scenes in the film, and some tense situations too. In conclusion - a good scifi action movie. Recommended for fans of monsters, robots and dinosaurs.

This is basically the same movie as Godzilla X Mechagodzilla - we have a similar team of Top Gun-style military bores piloting Mechagodzilla/Kiryu, and the same Prime Minister who is reluctant to launch Kiryu at first (but of course, he eventually gives the launch command during a swell of suitably dramatic music). The only new ingredient is Mothra, who gets a lovely new theme song but a terrible battle scene. You know, in the good old days, Mothra could kick Godzilla's butt, but lately she shows up, gets whomped rapidly, and is vaporized without much fanfare. Poor Mothra - she's gone from Godzilla's mightiest opponent to a world-class lame-o.Certain effects shots are impressive, but the models are criminally primitive-looking, and the sometimes-exciting action scenes are unwisely intercut with boring scenes of the human characters talking about nothing much. The soundtrack, like the movie as a whole, falls under the category of nice try, but no cigar - the military themes evoke the great Godzilla music of the past, but are somehow flat and dull by comparison. I'm afraid that the gold standard for modern Godzilla movies remains "Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack!" (a great movie to show people who are Godzilla neophytes) - but, come to think of it, even the twenty-year-old "Godzilla 1984" looks and plays a lot better than this lame duck.