King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)

King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)

Directed by: Ishirô Honda

Starring: Tadao Takashima, Kenji Sahara, Yû Fujiki

Did you know that King Kong vs. Godzilla is the first movie to feature Godzilla in color? Isn’t that EXCITING?! Well, what about false rumors that there was an alternate ending in Japan where Godzilla wins instead of King Kong? OH NO, I’VE SAID TOO MUCH!!!

I’m pretty sure you can guess the plot of King Kong vs. Godzilla. I don’t think THAT low of the internet. A businessman named Mr. Taco brings Kong to Japan, which is where Godzilla just happens to be attacking after being unfrozen from an iceburg. There’s an epic fight where King Kong kicks the crap out of Godzilla, then walks back to his island through the ocean.

The thing that really marks KKvG (as insiders call it) as being different than either series of giant monster movies it combines is that it’s really obvious they just didn’t try to make anything good out of this movie. The costumes are significantly worse than they usually are, the entire plot is nothing but a thin veneer to get the monsters to fight (instead of being largely unconnected with the monsters themselves. I’m not sure if this is better or worse), and the actual fighting is hilariously terrible.

Then again, I still prefer this movie to Peter Jackson’s remake of King Kong, or the American Godzilla.