Monster X Strikes Back: Attack the G8 Summit

Directed by Minoru Kawasaki. Written by Masakazu Migita. Starring Hide Fukumoto, Lily Franky, Eiichi Kikuchu, and Beat Takeshi.

DefStar Records - 2008

Two and a Half Stars of Review! **1/2

Every ones got that thing that set their childhood imaginations ablaze. For some people it's Star Wars or Indiana Jones, but in my heart there is only room for one tableau and it involves a man in a rubber monster suit.

You see I have very fond memories of being 5 years old. My parents would drop my over active butt off at my grandmother's house, and I would sit down in front of the TV to watch cartoons while she cooked me all my favorite foods. It was heaven, but every other week my bliss was elevated to ecstasy when TNT (what I believe is now the Spike network) would run day long marathons of Toho films.

I still smile when I think about all the brightly colored plastic rocket ships and the goofy looking dinos bashing each others heads in. To this day giant monsters are my weakness. I've seen Cloverfield eight times! So if you're looking for a completely unbiased opinion on all things giant monster than you're talking to the wrong guy.

Essentially an indestructible monster falls to Earth (in Japan non the less) in the midst of the G8 Summit. The leaders of the world vow to rid Japan of this menace, and each one takes a stab at it in various comedic sequences. Russia tries chemical weapons, Germany attempts psychological warfare, and there's always that nagging question of a more atomic nature. Of course it all comes down to a plucky tabloid reporter, and a lot of crotch pointing.

The long and short of it is that if you don't have at least a modest affection for Godzilla flicks then you'll probably want to skip this one. A lot of the jokes fall flat (The U.S. Presidents name is “Burger” and the French Prime minister is a womanizer. Political satire!), but if you're familiar with the nuances of the genera, especially the Godzilla films and the early Ultraman series, then you'll probably giggle your way through most of it.

It's packed to the brim with just about every giant monster in-joke you can think of. Even the look of the monsters and the cities are strictly early 70's. I've read that director Minoru Kawasaki is called the “Tim Burton of Japan,” but whatever the reason for that comparison it isn't due to a knack for visual flare.

If you've seen the excellent Big Man Japan, and just need some more monster on monster comedy action then this is as good as you're going to get. Don't get me wrong it's not all bad, but pay close attention or you'll miss the two best gags. Just think about the two objects that the statue of Take-Majin is holding in its hands.

Available on DVD.