Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1993)

aka Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

Despite sharing the same name, the twentieth film isn't a remake or sequel to the 1974 film. The Heisei era is its own thing and the two MGs are unrelated.
Inspired by tech left over from the previous battle mankind builds a metal Godzilla, designed not just to fight the real G but engineered to cleverly use the other's own power against it. Like the adage states, the best defence...
Even before being unleashed from its holding area the filmmakers go all out to make MG impressive. Once in the field, thunder thighs gives the real G a fight the kaijū King won't soon forget. (I wonder was it uncanny valley for G?)
Parental instincts play an important role in a script that once again did almost as much harm as it did good to the rebooted era.

2½ standing positions out of 5

Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)

In the nineteenth film a space rock hits the Pacific, missing land but the aftereffects are far from harmless. Elsewhere, on Infant Island, an Asian Indy Jones makes me shake my head disdainfully. Can the divine moth save the day and the film from crap Spielberg-isms?
There aren't enough active roles; most of the humans are onlookers, either from the sidelines or safely tucked in front of monitors. The ones that do get involved had potential, but the slide to a more kid-friendly attitude (again!) meant the relationship was kept out of murky waters.
Mothra spends a lot of time in larval form. It's a long time before the unleashed imago form lights up the screen. But what's perhaps more of an issue is that the writer(s) seemed to have no idea what to do with Godzilla. The film should really be called Mothra vs ______, with special guest Godzilla.

3 harmonies out of 5

Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999)

The military want to kill the kaijū with their new weapons. Meanwhile, a father and daughter team study Godzilla as it heavy-foots through the city. Not just from afar, they're like storm chasers getting up close and personal.
Firstly, most of the relationships are underdeveloped. It's a definite weakness, but the upside is they're not forced into predicable shapes, and the methods used to strengthen them don't descend into boring clichés.
Secondly, while the idea behind the creature that Godzilla is destined to fight is interesting, the actual result is arse. They tried something different but sadly it didn't work out. Consequently, the finale isn't very exciting.
The FX composites aren't good. But the suit! Wow! Godzilla's maw looks like it could rip chunks from a tank. The creature's size in relation to the environment is perfect. And the dorsal plates? Ridiculously huge - I love it!

It’s the 23rd film in the series and the 1st in the Millennium era (i.e. standalone, alternative sequels to the 1954 original).

3 dangerous desires out of 5