GODZILLA VS. MEGALON
Alpha Video
79 Min. 1973. 1.33:1. Color.

Directed By Jun Fukuda

Collectors have rejoiced over the VIP treatment that has been given to the Godzilla films over the past several years when it concerns the home format, particularly DVD.

Classic Media has released many of the films under the "Toho Master Collection" label, bringing both Japanese and English-language versions of Godzilla/Gojira (1954), Godzilla Raids Again (1956), Mothra Vs. Godzilla/Godzilla Vs. The Thing (1964), Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster (1964), Monster Zero/Invasion of the Astro Monster (1965), All Monsters Attack/Godzilla's Revenge (1969) and Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975). Not only have these been given brand-new transfers, but they are also given a wealth of extras. All of these are also available in a boxed set.

Sony has released its own share of Godzilla films to DVD (through Columbia/TriStar) - not only Showa-Era Godzilla films (1954-1975), but also the Heisei (1984-1995) and entire Shinsei (aka New Millenium, 1999-2004) series of Toho kaiju eiga. Godzilla Vs. The Sea Monster (1966), Son of Godzilla (1967), Godzilla Vs. Hedorah (1971), Godzilla Vs. Gigan (1972) and Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) from the Showa-Era were given presentations from HD sources with alternate language audio tracks (English and Japanese with optional subtitles). The Heisei series hadn't benefited from the same technology, since all of their transfers were from the dawn of DVD availability. Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah (1991)/Godzilla Vs. Mothra (1992) and Godzilla Vs. Space Godzilla (1994)/Godzilla Vs. Destroyer (1995) are a bit of a mixed bag, being double features residing on "flipper discs." The King Ghidorah/Mothra disc is fullscreen (although the Heisei films were not shot Tohoscope). Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla (re-titled Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla II, 1993) is widescreen on its own disc. The entire Shinsei series of Godzilla films are Tohoscope and anamorphically enhanced. They include Godzilla 2000 (1999), Godzilla x Megaguirus (2000), GMK: All-Out Giant Monster Attack (2001), Godzilla x Mechagodzilla (2002), Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) and Godzilla: Final Wars (2004). There is very little room for complaints when it comes to the Columbia/TriStar DVDs - aside from the scarcity of extras. Most of these releases typically either have promos for other DVDs, an occassional trailer or absolutely no extras.

Universal had released a 16x9 widescreen DVD of King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1962, paired with a disc of King Kong Escapes) in 2005 - it was a fantastic transfer that overshadows the 1998 fullscreen Goodtimes disc in every way. The 2005 disc features only the Universal version and not Toho's cut which has much more character development and Akira Ifukube's musical score.

ADV Films had released the International cut of Destroy All Monsters (1968) to VHS and DVD in the late 1990s. It is widescreen Tohoscope, but not 16x9. Despite its merits, the disc does lack chapter stops and menu screens. However, fans were happy since it had never been released on video or DVD previously, and the home video market was over 20 years old at the time!

With nearly every single Godzilla film released to DVD (region one) in a decent-to-high-quality presentation (not to mention other kaiju eiga from Toho studios), it is difficult to believe that there are offerings that not only have yet to surface in top-notch transfers, but are completely out-of-print (in any format) without signs of being re-released. Aside from Godzilla 1985 (1984) and Godzilla Vs. Biollante (1989), the most highly-sought-after film on DVD is Godzilla Vs. Megalon.

Nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean has caused the underwater kingdom of Seatopia to send up a giant cockroach-like creature by the name of Megalon to the surface to destroy Japan. A few Seatopians are dispatched as agents to steal a robot named Jet Jaguar, and kill the scientists who created him. The agents plan to use Jet Jaguar to guide Megalon to Tokyo.

The scientist manage to kill the Seatopian agents and send the robot get Godzilla on Monster Island for help. After the robot summons Godzilla, he heads back to meet Megalon. He programs himself to increase his size to battle the giant monster.

Before Godzilla arrives, the Seatopians summon Gigan (the cyborg monster from Godzilla Vs. Gigan aka Godzilla on Monster Island) to team up with Megalon. Jet Jaguar fights a losing battle to Megalon and Gigan until Godzilla appears.....

When this film was made in 1973, the superhero theme was popular with audiences all over the world. Comic book superheroes like Spider-Man and the Hulk were slowly becoming a part of modern popular culture, as were the likes of Asian serial characters Ultra Man, Dyna Man and Infra Man. Jet Jaguar was modeled after these robotic characters. Continuing the superhero theme, Godzilla's suit was even tailored to match the changing tastes of the comic book culture (the new suit was slender with a less reptilian-looking head and large Animé characteristic eyes).

Godzilla Vs. Megalon has had a poor history concerning presentation. Television and video prints were cut, badly spliced and had a murky appearance.

Unfortunately, the same fate befell this version of the film. It appears that the same full-frame print source was used for this disc as the Digital Disc version (a double feature disc with Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster). However, it is a different source from earlier video versions, sporting even worse splicing, more scratches and dust than the superior master used for Alpha's older VHS release (among other labels, including Goodtimes Home Video). The audio quality is as bad as the video. The Dolby Digital mono reveals pops and cracks present on the film print very clearly. Even the bad splicing shines through; splices end the narration at the beginning of the film mid-sentence.

The only extra on Alpha's disc is a photo gallery containing artwork for other Alpha releases.

Alpha's was the first region one DVD release that was pulled, presumably due to rights problems (the Passion Productions disc was the second). Even the Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (Volume Ten) boxed set was discontinued and re-released with another film in its place (The Giant Gila Monster). With the question of whether or not this film will ever see a quality release up in the air, many fans will have to either hunt down this release (or one of the many old VHS releases) and live with its limitations or attempt to purchase the uncut region four release. The most significant irony in regards to the lack of quality DVD presentation is that Sci-Fi Channel used to air the uncut/widescreen version of Godzilla Vs. Megalon fairly often.