Up From The Depths Reviews | Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)

[@RecklessInternetting]

"The experimental era of Godzilla was over." "So these giant space cockroaches want to open this theme park..."

[@GabyGeorge1996]

I love how you bring in the historical context of each film’s setting and production

[@zeidex_5431]

It’s a real shame that this film uses daylight stock footage on a night fight. But hey, at least this movie introduces Gigan!

[@KlaytonFioriti]

Hey man! Just want to say that I found your channel yesterday and watched all of your Godzilla reviews! They're really great and you do an excellent job and bringing some insight into the series! 👍

[@UpFromTheDepths88]

Thanks man, I appreciate that! BTW I really enjoy your videos; you have some of the best JP content on KZbin. In fact I owe my love of Godzilla to Jurassic Park, it was the defining movie of my childhood!

[@ashergamestv4027]

Damn you like Godzilla two?

[@plumberjoe6552]

A weird but great surprise..........klayton Fioriti

[@K0RETA-QUEBEC]

Oh yeah same it realy helped me too to make myself an idea of what one i would prefer 😇

[@K0RETA-QUEBEC]

As a 90s kid it not as natural for me XD i get myself in this universe x)

[@mikepointer5067]

I will forever believe that the MiB 1997 film borrowed the "alien cockroach using a human corpse" plot device from this film

[@treystephens6166]

Were they using a corpse? Or was it a look alike suit?

[@ek9509]

The first film for Godzilla to actually speak. Not kidding. "Hey Anguirus."

[@dannyc.9161]

Gigan is one of my favorite monsters. Just the creativeness of him.

[@randquadrozzi1280]

Great kaiju has the attitude of a bully just like megalon then runs like a sissy when the going gets tough.works well.

[@byronbrooks6366]

Even now I still say this film has one of the best human plots in the franchise.

[@SuperSirianRigel]

Gigan is one of my favorites. He has a very original and cool monster design. Like a bloodthirsty killer trying to destroy everything.

[@randquadrozzi1280]

Yes he is all gangster till the tide turns then he is gone real quick.great kaiju always fun to watch.

[@forrest6374]

I remember watching this with my brother when we were kids, it was part of a double-feature vhs bundle that also had Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla. It was one of the earliest big monster movies I could remember seeing.

[@UpFromTheDepths88]

I had that same double feature VHS! And I also watched this all the time with my brother.

[@The_Cranky_Painter]

@@UpFromTheDepths88 I just found your channel through this video. That same VHS set was my introduction to Godzilla, and this was my favorite of the two films. I watched it with my little brother regularly!

[@magatetus]

I have it!

[@treystephens6166]

I still have that video box set EP Mode.

[@HatCreature]

My first Gojira film

[@aylmer666]

I think I had the exact same experience... I probably caught it on TBS around 1986 or 87 as a 6-year-old and it changed my life forever. Later I came to consider it one of the worst of the series though, mainly due to that stock footage, talky plot with dull characters, and all the monster action being weighted to the end.

[@brandonb1681]

This one is a guilty pleasure of mine. I enjoyed watching the human/alien drama.

[@atomicninjazyuranger5418]

The Godzilla 1968 suit was my favorite. RIP Godzilla 1968. 😪

[@Enriquez520]

Mine too. And the one that appeared in GvM and GvMG

[@Charles-e4x]

This was one of the first Godzilla films I watched as a little kid. And *surprise surprise* I barely remember a thing about the human characters. The four monster brawl definitely stuck in my mind and probably helped me fall in love with Godzilla to begin with. Also helped that Gigan looked awesome.

[@TheJboy88]

Gigan may not be my favorite kaiju, but I cannot deny his awesome design. Seriously, if someone had asked me to design a giant monster back when I was younger, that blade-covered over-the-top thing is exactly the kind of creature I'd have come up with :)

[@Latoshajsinspiration]

"Hey,Anguirus!" "What do you want?" "Something funny's goin' on,you better check!" "Ok." "Hurry up!"

[@seanbarry401]

While not one of my favorites, there's a lot to like about this movie. It's got a solid human cast and Gigan is an awesome monster. And while the use of stock footage is a bummer, Teruyoshi Nakano's explosion effects are a sight to behold and the last monster fight is great stuff.

[@MrAlumni72]

Aha, is THIS the one where Godzilla and Anguirus literally talk to each other (albeit in bizarrely distorted voices, like when you talk while inhaling) on Monster Island before leaving?

[@UpFromTheDepths88]

Indeed it is!

[@junodonatus4906]

Done by the same guy whose voice can be heard in just about every old-school (dubbed) Kung Fu movie.

[@randquadrozzi1280]

@@junodonatus4906 I thought so knew I heard that voice somewhere else but couldn't place it.pretty dumb of me cause I've watched kung fu movies forever.

[@Tohofan122]

Godzilla vs. Gigan and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla are the only two 70s films I ever really find myself coming back to.

[@KiddingCell]

What about Terror Of Mechagodzilla 😥

[@Tohofan122]

Mario Gang I didn’t watch that one as much growing up, plus I had the English cut so I never got the full experience, which I can easily remedy with my criterion collection

[@KiddingCell]

@@Tohofan122 oh okay

[@falchionofeternity433]

Man, you really described absolutely everything I love about this film. My only regret is that Toho never again made a buddy team-up kaiju film like this ever again. Okay, Godzilla vs Kong sorta comes close to feeling like it, but still. I love the camaraderie in this film and it's sad Toho doesn't use that to their advantage.

[@justler370]

A prime example of a classic!

[@kylenaversen]

This was my first Japanese Godzilla movie experience when I was a kid and still love it to this day.

[@KaijuCommander]

As a kid back in the day this was one of the Godzilla films I watched over and over again with my family. I really enjoyed the human cast and the mystery they had to unravel in regards to what the villains were up to, AND of course the epic tag team battle between Godzilla and Anguirus vs Ghidorah and Gigan always had us on the edge of our seats because of how brutal it was compared to most other Godzilla films we had seen at the time, made us really think Godzilla might be in real trouble this time, and made it that much more satisfying when he and Anguirus managed to pull off the win in the end anyway despite the odds stacked against them. Godzilla Tower and the theme park setting for the final battle was cool too! Granted, as an adult I can now recognize the wear and tear on the older costumes and the unfortunate use of stock footage (thankfully not as prevalent as in All Monsters Attack), but I still enjoy rewatching this flick even now despite its flaws, and I seriously hope that one day a future film will allow Godzilla and his best bud Anguirus to work together again.

[@brycevo]

This was the first time Godzilla and Anguirus first Bro-ed up

[@Animated__Freak]

I just watched this one and it surprised me with how good it was. Despite the amount of stock footage the new stuff that is there is really entertaining.

[@kaiju115]

Despite being one the weirder films, and all the stock footage, this movie still has some good moments, call it a guilty pleasure.

[@astrosaur13]

This film is seared into my memories from when I was in kindergarten in the late 70s. I didn't really know what I was watching except that it was awesome. Thanks for the content and the nostalgia. Glad I found this!

[@zed6740]

I agree with most of the points you make but I have no problem with them using Akira Ifukube soundtrack in this movie so in my opinion I give this movie a 4/5. Great review though!👍🏽

[@austinkowalski5512]

I absolutely love this movie. The characters are surprisingly good.

[@CardboardBoxA]

This movie was one of my favorites growing up, and it’s for sure the movie that made me love Anguirus

[@KiddingCell]

This film is somewhat underrated. I mean this film does have one of the best cast of monster's in the franchise. Like this film introduces Gigan, my favorite kaiju other than Godzilla, it is also great to see Anguruis and Ghidorah back, the whole last 3rd act is also really good despite all the stock footage, the human characters are also surprisingly enjoyable and I actually do like the soundtrack being stock music from Akira Ifukube. But this film has just as many negatives as it does positives. The film takes a long time to get going. As Ghidorah and Gigan don't appear intill about 40 minutes in. And we dont get our first city destruction scene intill about 50 minutes in. The Godzilla suit is also clearly falling apart, the plot is also kinda bizzare, this movie is full of stock footage and the film does have some pretty bad special effects at times. This film is definitely a mixed bag though, Gigan and the 3rd act do make the film fun. I will give the film a 5.7/10.

[@thenoodledrop]

I always thought that this had the most legendary lineup of Godzilla brawls. Something about Godzilla and Anguirus going against Gigan and King Ghidora is just perfect.

[@kevinhughes3477]

I had forgotten about this movie, but when I was a kid this movie was my bread and butter. I remember many a saturday afternoon sitting down on a rocking chair with my uncle and getting over the top excitement from watching the King of the Monsters take on Gigan and Ghidorah. I can't remember if it was this movie or Astro Monster that was the first one that I literally annihilated the vhs from so many repeat viewings

[@FlyingFocs]

Yeah, this was one of my favorites as a kid. And for all the films faults, it somehow manages to make a scene where the human antagonists are revealed to be giant space cockroaches, solely through silhouette, actually kind of cool and intimidating. They even get some sympathy as they die, so that's neat.

[@fatangrygeek5746]

Ghidorah's actual final appearance was in the 1973 show Zone Fighter as a guest monster. Gigan's final appearance was in Zone Fighter as well.

[@nexusshark]

I have mixed feelings about this film. On one hand this movie introduces Gigan and also features King Ghidorah and Anguirus. But at the same time this movie uses a lot of stock footage, overused suits, alien invasion plot (though on a smaller scale) and Godzilla and Anguirus talking.

[@Sanderus]

This one has the special place in my heart - it was the very Godzila movie I watched as a kid at least 25 years ago.

[@tracyndiyob162]

i enjoyed this movie,especially loved the human characters(tomoko being my favorite as well as machiko & gengo.:3) & godzilla's friendship with anguirus(hope we see him in monsterverse as i loved godzilla having a best friend,kinda wonder if we might see an equivalent to the speech bubble/goofy talking scene with godzilla actually speaking since kong knows sign language.) with their loyalty showing in the fight with gigan and ghidorah(where the stock footage was definitely the most apparent to me) and their theme at the end.

[@BaldPerspective]

Leaving a like & a comment because I love your channel & miss your dulcet tones, Brandon!

[@chrissquibbs6099]

Up to this point I have watch most of your review vids. Actually just joined this page today. Now I may be being biased cause this was my first Godzilla film but it's not as overwhelming with stock footage in the final fight as your saying. Yes it's definitely there but it doesn't take up as much as you claim. Common now lol.

[@jacquelineroswell-sander1202]

Good afternoon to all Godizilla fans! First of all let my try to explain my comment on this movie. It s very easy for me, but on the othef hand also a little bit hard, because English is not my mother language.... Well, in my personal view, this is a great film, and for many reasons as well. The Story is simple, but at least always a way better, than many other of the old series. all is not too far from a real Story (relatvive to a typical Jukuda movie). It fits. The Monsters are not bad here, the fights even a bit brutal. Of course, I see some rather bad points too, for example the silly idea ( not the first time) to let the Monsters speak together. This is different in the German Version. Another weak point is the Charcter of some actors, a bit too blue... Anyway, one of my five favorites, so thats nice to see your review and get my gift already before the Christmas day;-) Not every fan might be share the same minds, but I think this movie is for sure a must for every one who likes this series. For me, this is some kind of blueprint in the whole first series until 1975. The widescreen works here preety good too. I like your reviws! Merry Christmas!

[@UpFromTheDepths88]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@thecreaturecreator5840]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the new Godzilla trailer (not to add to what I am sure is an already bursting schedule... haha).

[@UpFromTheDepths88]

I loved it!

[@GreaterGrievobeast55]

Ah this has always been one of my favorites despite how utterly cheap it was. Possibly my very first Godzilla film (it was either this one or 2000) the monster themselves seems to be as scrappy as possible because of it not at all afraid to get the suits ant more damaged or too restricted by the suit itself.

[@MGWFilms97]

Great review of extermination 2025!

[@markallengarcia6695]

This G movie often gets bad reviews, but I really enjoy it.

[@BigBravesFan1331]

The (only) reason Godzilla vs Gigan is hated/not liked is because Godzilla and Anguirus learned how to talk.

[@BigBravesFan1331]

The only reason people don’t like this film is because Godzilla and Anguirus learned how to talk. *ANIMALS ARE EVOLVING*

[@alexkruse3429]

Fun fact: Gigan is the first monster ever to make Godzilla bleed.

[@tracyndiyob162]

happy 50th anniversary godzilla vs. gigan!!! :3

[@CaptainFisch]

That was my first Godzllla movie as a child and i am so happy that they didnt talk in my country :) This Film and a few years later Guardian of the Universe where the most important kaiju movies in my live

[@garfieldsmith332]

I remember this as being Titled "Godzilla On Monster Island" in Canada.

[@gabrielpacana8596]

This was the first Godzilla movie I saw. Rented it from Blockbuster. I remember seeing the DVD cover to it.

[@andrewpragasam]

I knew I couldn't be the only one who loved Tomoko.

[@ek9509]

You'd think this was Jurassic Park, Godzilla style.

[@randquadrozzi1280]

Been wanting to watch this again for a long time it's only Godzilla movie I cant find.have not seen it since watching with my kids 25 years ago.

[@jayreagans1160]

Remember watching this on a recorded vhs tape if anyone remembers those but anyways Haha I was a very entertained by this film given the amounts of stock footage

[@sonicguyver7445]

I had three Godzilla movies on one tape my dad had recorded for me. The first few acts were missing from two of them. Godzilla vs The Cosmic Monster (MechaGodzilla) started just as the impostor Godzilla appears and Destroy All Monsters starts just as the larva Mothra bursts out of a building. But wouldn't you know it I had every second of Godzilla vs King Kong.

[@DeanLaPoint]

My childhood movie!

[@enricosarmiento4152]

Ghidorah basically got tired of getting his assed kicked He like "let's just get it over with"

[@rogerhwerner6997]

Sure many of the zilla films are utterly riduculous but I love your reviews because they find the good in what is arguably the not so good. As a life long Godzilla fan, I enjoy watching even his completely silly moments. It's Godzilla, what's not to like? We aren't paying for Citizen Kane. Even Stars Wars is pretty ridiculous when one get's right down to it.

[@dencocreations1701]

Man, anyone notice this is the most forgiving review of Godzilla vs Gigan? Lol

[@jimmyjazz1]

Is it just my imagination that the chase/fight scene on the boat with the alien/gorilla happened in godzilla vs mechagodzilla as well??

[@7superdaimajin]

"chase/fight scene on the boat with the alien/gorilla" Definitely in G vs MechaG

[@kyleswi764]

2:31, big crushing😂

[@BathrobeKeck]

I may be be speaking from bias here, as this was one of the first films I ever saw from the series, but I always thought that Gigan was one of the strongest ventures on Toho's part

[@TakaGojii]

Why 3 stars? THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST SHOWA MOVIES EVVERRRRR

[@CaptainCanuck1975]

And now there *is* a Godzilla theme park in real life. Has anyone checked to see if cockroach people are living under the Godzilla statue?

[@dragonzilla6482]

Godzilla vs Gigan in my opinion isn't the worst or the best but it's entertaining.

[@nathanpao3665]

The English Version Is Godzilla On Monster Island 1977 And That’s Better

[@scado5679]

Ironic how Gigan is accused of not being creative or special, and yet still manages to be one of the most unique and threatening Godzilla kaiju designs to this day. Not much to say about the movie though, it's pretty much just everything you said in the video

[@thoughtfuldevil6069]

I have a deep place in my heart for this quirky, crackpot sequel......it was the first Godzilla movie I ever saw. Don't judge me.

[@andreiiiksavvv6054]

I won't. I could say the same for all monsters attack

[@Kaiju-Driver]

Gigan! Right on.

[@rasputincharlemagnemalahayati]

this movie gave me a visceral reaction last time I marathoned the series, this might be the only Godzilla movie I truly hate

[@atomicninjazyuranger5418]

3:51 Poor Godzilla 😪😪😪

[@omniscienteye8880]

The parts when the kaiju can speak to each other really took me out of it

[@amejade]

I actually looked up "Godzilla vs. Gigan ost"

[@amejade]

Absolute bruh moment.

[@phyllissmith6903]

You do a good job☺

[@UpFromTheDepths88]

Thank you!

[@thesmilingman7576]

1:28 I heard he was dead at this point too

[@joshchiang5995]

Ghidorah really got nerfed as the films went on.

[@GreaterGrievobeast55]

Really? Well let’s see it took three monsters to defeat him in the three headed monster. In monster zero he was forced to retreat from earth but he was also the only monster to rise from the waters implying Godzilla and Rodan were barely able to win without Mothras help. In destroy all monsters it took pretty much every earth monster to take him down. Now keep in mind, destroy all monsters takes place in the future. So he’s probably not as strong as he is in Godzilla vs gigan as he hadn’t rose in power or whatever.

[@joshchiang5995]

@@GreaterGrievobeast55 okay your right about that. Though in the heisei he's a mutant like Godzilla, plus heisei Godzilla was op even before Mecha Godzilla.

[@BlueMega]

Man, reading the comments with people saying you should have given this a higher score, and I'm just sitting here thinking you were generous. This might be my least favorite Godzilla movie of the series. Literally the only thing I like about it is Gigan's design.

[@ArcaneAzmadi]

It just occurred to me- you don't give half-star ratings?

[@nicorizzo5402]

So are we just not gonna talk about how ridiculous Godzilla and Anguirus sounded speaking English?

[@Movie_fan1058]

I hate this entry but I love Gigan

[@freefloydfreefloyd6176]

the only good thing in this movie was when gigan rapes godzillas head with his steel hooks

[@Enriquez520]

I remember when I first saw this film, I immediately thought “Batman and Robin vs Joker and Deathstroke”

[@benm5970]

It sucks that 1 of the coolest Godzilla monsters has 1 of the worst movies in the franchise

[@enricosarmiento4152]

From The Son of Godzilla - Godzilla vs Megalon The franchise sucks Sorry guys

[@alfa01spotivo]

nah hedorah's actually pretty good

[@alfa01spotivo]

Enrico Sarmiento Wait a minute. Destroy all monsters is a pretty fun film

[@enricosarmiento4152]

@@alfa01spotivo agree