Mysterians and their Megers If Godzilla raised the topic of atomic bombing, and Radon touched on the environmental problems of global warming, in Mysterians Ishiro Honda actively developed the theme of the arms race. The basis of the picture is the invasion of an incredibly powerful race of aliens during the build-up of weapons by the world powers of the Earth.
Mysterious guests claim that they came in peace, but have enough strength to destroy our entire planet. As a demonstration, they unleash the monster Meghera (Moghera) on one village. Human troops are faced with the fact that the monster mole, consisting of drilling rigs, simply impossible to penetrate, shoot or burn. At least the monster shows up pretty quickly, a minute into the fifteenth. It is a pity that Megera has very little screen time.
The use of flamethrowers here is perhaps one of the very original memorable scenes. But, unfortunately, they do not help in the fight against the monster. Even water hoses can not close his mechanical contacts, although the water here, of course, is used not as a weapon, but to extinguish fires caused by the monster.
The megera is average. This creature is now remembered by many as Godzilla's opponent in Godzilla and the Alien from Space (aka Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla [or Godzilla's Space]). But for the first time it appears here. Otherwise, Mysterian does not contain giant monsters, so the genre value of the film here is only a couple of small episodes.
Curiously, the Megers didn't even feature in the script. But producer Tomoyuki Tanaka decided that such a picture lacks a “giant monster”, so the mechanical mole, originally four-legged, was inscribed in the plot of the picture. Later, Ishiro Honda presented him in the manner of Godzilla - upright walking, with "thorns" - a saw on his back, they say the creature had even a tail, but these shots did not get into the final editing. In any case, after the departure of the aliens, there were as many as two copies left to make an updated version on their basis by the nineties. But, of course, Godzilla movies aren't so directly related. Moreover, the same actors play there most often completely different characters!
Even here, for example, the scientist-paleontologist from “Godzilla” – Takashi Shimura, plays a completely different scientist – an astronomer watching the invasion of aliens from the far side of the moon. The main character of the picture is played by Kenji Sahara, who just once again will face Meghera in the 1994 film, where he will play the minister (as in the Godzilla films of 1991 and 1993), also already played small roles in Radon and Godzilla, and the roles are quite different. Akihiko Hirata embodies the complex human image of the traitor of his people in Mysterians - his character in the film is perhaps the most interesting and dramatic. It was he who played the same Dr. Serizawa in Godzilla - one of the best characters in the history of Godzilla films in general!
As for the film itself, it is a good fantastic action movie with a sea of explosions and special effects. The only thing is that now the eyes are severely cut by completely painted lasers from Moghera’s eyes. Well, the monster itself looks, of course, rubber, not mechanical, as it should, but all these archaisms are forgivable for lovers of old school or at least taking into account the year the picture was released.
In addition, given the rare appearance of Megera in the frame, there are not many Kaiju elements here, the main part of the plot revolves around the main characters. The Mysterians give the Earth an ultimatum - they want to get a plot from us for the prosperity of their race, they want to use earthly women who have already been selected and kidnapped, taking pictures at the holiday from the prologue, well, and themselves, meanwhile, are plotting a very bad thing under the guise of "we are pacifists and against violence."
In general, if you’ve seen Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks, Ishiro Honda’s Mysterious Aliens will seem like its inspirations and progenitors. Like, we came in peace, and here's a giant monster that washes cities, and give your beauties here, we'll take them as wives. At least if you’re tired of aliens always making blockbuster intrusions into the United States, Japanese fiction is going to be a diverse experience. Now the aliens are always of Japanese appearance, the Japanese want to talk to the “leaders of the Earth” and attack. You won't believe it! - Japan.
Speaking of the “departure” of the aliens, in Japan there were several sequels of this story, while the Americans cut the final flight of the saucers, their victory was final and unconditional. And some of the footage from here they then sewed into Godzilla vs. King Kong to give the final earthquake shock power and impressive effect. Well, the original Japanese version is a quality director Ishiro Honda and again beautiful music from Akira Ifukube.
Just good retro fiction, already in color, with cool hands-on destruction and action effects but wildly drawn laser blasters. But what will be important for many will be a film about military potential, a film with meaning, a film about the cunning of earthlings, about the reconciliation of nations among themselves. Here, the United States and the Soviet Union work together to help Japan drive out those whose military power is many times greater than even today’s weapons. However, the latter - so we are well aware of different American paintings. Honda was not the first, but Honda made a wonderful quality film, not forgetting the kaiju elements. Good acting work and interesting characters, for lovers of old films about the invasion of aliens - clearly will be just right.
7 out of 10
Original