Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)
Overview
Astronauts Glenn and Fuji investigate Planet X and encounter mysterious aliens known as the Xiliens, who ask Earth's people to help save their world from "Monster Zero". In exchange for borrowing Godzilla and Rodan, the Xiliens offer a cure for cancer. As Glenn investigates, he develops a romance with Miss Namikawa and uncovers the Xilien's true intentions.
Cast
Nick Adams
Astronaut F. Glenn
Akira Takarada
Astronaut K. Fuji
Keiko Sawai
Haruno Fuji
Kumi Mizuno
Miss Namikawa
Jun Tazaki
Dr. Sakurai
Akira Kubo
Tetsuo Teri
Yoshio Tsuchiya
Controller of Planet X
Takamaru Sasaki
Chairman of Earth Committee
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- Reviews
John Chard
We need from you Monster Zero 1 and Monster Zero 2, Godzilla and Rodan.
It's one of those Godzilla movies where you fully understand why some fans of the "Zilla" series positively dislike it. The big atomic lizard is only a bit part player here, and when push comes to shove the monster mayhem is in short supply, which considering we also have Ghidorah and Rodan in the mix is for sure a bit of a waste. Yet this is one of the better sequels from Toho's original wave, it quite literally has all the ingredients that made "Zilla" and the off-shoots so iconic.
We are in live action cartoon territory, a sci-fi story of bonkers proportions yet engrossing all the same. The joyous model work synonymous with the series remains intact, the cardboard sets being obliterated are still fun to watch, and the divisive sight of "Zilla" doing the "shay" dance is in here whether you like it or not. More fun, though, is watching "Zilla" boxing the three headed Ghidorah, now that is comedy gold, if only the moody lizard had gone southpaw a bit earlier then saving the world could have been achieved quicker.
Great fun, could have been better from a monster point of view? Yes, definitely, but this be a nutty fruitcake production from Toho and amen to that. 8/10
