I finally now have seen this the second Godzilla movie made. The first where Godzilla takes on another monster...the other monster presented is Anguirus. The story was pretty good for the most part as they make it clear in the Japanese cut anyway, that this is a new Godzilla and not the one destroyed by the oxygen destroyer. Also, this new monster is also discovered. The cities just off the coast are on alert, everything seems to go well until a bunch of prisoners escape and start a large fire (light apparently attracts Godzilla)and not only does he come, but so does Anguirus and they battle in the city. After the battle there is time to relax as Godzilla leaves peaceful like enough and the city was evacuated very well this time too. Everything is going well until Godzilla reappears in a more northern town, however at one point he is in the middle of a bunch of snow capped mountains and a plan is hatched to stop Godzilla's onslaught again. This movie could have been better though, there is a lot of filler in this movie, I am thinking they felt they needed more scenes to pad out a rather short running time film. However, with this movie coming out only six months after the original, the extra scenes had to be scenes of people rather than of the monsters. Also, the film goes on a bit to long well after the battle between the two monsters. So much so that the threat of Godzilla seems to even evaporate for a time. I also think the plane scene at the end went on to long as their plan should have to worked after they figured it out rather than going back to base to load up on missiles. However, the fight between the two monsters is rather good, and unlike the professional wrestling like quality of the next movie "Godzilla vs King Kong" in this one the monsters fighting seems to be like that of two actual animals and not men in costumes. I think this one would have been much better though if they did not rush to complete it.

The sequel to the 1954 phenomenon, made only 4 months later, "Godzilla Raids Again". This is the only other black-and-white G-film in existence, and a very rare one at that. Probably due to the VERY poorly received American version. Thankfully, Classic Media one more comes through, even including the Japanese version. This film was decent at best, no where near as powerful as the first. The four fathers of Godzilla weren't all here, Honda and Ifukbe, probably a major factor in the sharp contrast. The score by Masaru Sato was't as striking as Akira Ifukube's score, but it was still all right.

Shigeru Kayama provides a good story, but I wish more of the characters from the first were in it. The escaped convicts was an interesting plot point, but overall the characters simply aren't as involving. Hiroshi Koizumi and Minoru Chiaki star but not even their performances can save the character's overall dullness. Takashi Shimura returns as Dr. Yamane, the only actor reprising his role disappointedly. Kind of a downer. The climatic battle is thrilling but Kobayashi's 'heroic' death was poorly scripted. Him sticking around in a weaponless plane as jets bomb Godzilla, not feelin' it.

Godzilla looked fantastic, the only real difference being his slimness. The puppet's teeth were the only bad point. Anguius was Godzilla's first ever foe and you got to love the echoing roar. The fights are entertaining, the camera speed accident a bit odd, but whatever. The fight ends brutally with Godzilla sinking his teeth in his throat nicely. The effects were nicely done all in all for their time.

The American version is just horrific!!! The constant voice-over is annoying and Kobayashi sounds like a bumbling oaf, despite the acclaimed actor he was in Japan. The score became a jumbled mess along with the story. Gigantis and Anguirus are somehow related and attracted to fire, blah, blah, blah, blah, etc.

Anyways, this film is good,but I warn you the U.S. version is only good for the commentary ( by Steve Ryfle!!!). Stick to the Japanese version!

My review is for the original Japanese language version in subtitles. There was a 1959 American release, "Gigantus, the Fire Monster".

Here in "Godzilla Raids Again" ("Gojira no gyakushû"),you essentially get more of what you got in the first Godzilla film...however, how they defeat the monster and the monster's nemesis, Anguirus, are new.

The stars of the film are the men who fly observation float planes. Their job is to patrol the coast...and alert the country if any monsters are seen. Well, in this case, two of the pilots spot not only Godzilla but his spiny nemesis, Anguirus. Defeating the latter isn't a problem, as Godzilla is more than happy to do it for them. But what about Godzilla...and what about Osaka, which is directly in their path?

For the 1950s, this is a good monster film. When seen today, the effects look very primative but for the day, they were quite good. The story is direct and enjoyable and without any of the annoying 1960s addition to the monster franchises....in other words, the 'cute kid' who believes in the monster and is its friend (uggh!!). Worth seeing but certainly not for everyone.