STOMPING THROUGH THE JAPANESE SEQUEL 'GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN'

Title: GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN Year: 1955 Rating: **1/2

In the original Japanese GODZILLA from 1954, it takes almost the entire third act to completely destroy the nuclear-powered monster... which is far too easily brought back in the following years' rushed sequel GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN when two flyers land on an island that, like the original KING KONG sequel SON OF KONG, a new Godzilla simply exists already, battling a more sturdy and stocky dinosaur...

As half of RAIDS AGAIN has the two monsters fighting among the cities and the sea while bringing back wise scientist Takashi Shimura: to merely inform the audience what's already obvious...

From the Americanized Version of GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN, not reviewed here

This new Godzilla, which would remain the same creature for the entire "Showa" era until the 1970's, is out to destroy more of Japan... in a sequel that stomps more ground but ultimately covers very little, missing the spiritual underline and cautionary importance of the groundbreaking original...

Mostly replaced by a weak, rushed story and, once again, the early B&W Godzilla itself... looking more like a craggy puppet than detailed costume... has yet to develop into the beloved/formidable legendary lizard: as RAIDS merely follows the success of the original without the magic of its theme and story.

From GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN

From GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN