Godzilla vs. Biollante: Difference between revisions

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|soundtrack ={{Soundtracktab}}
|soundtrack =Godzilla vs. Biollante (Soundtrack)
|credits=Godzilla vs. Biollante/Credits
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{{Nav
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|type1      =Poison
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|type        =[[Godzilla (Franchise)|Godzilla]] [[:Category:Godzilla Films|Films]]
|type        =[[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'']] [[:Category:Godzilla Films|Films]]
|name        =Godzilla vs. Biollante
|name        =''Godzilla vs. Biollante''
|prev        =The Return of Godzilla
|prev        =The Return of Godzilla
|prevname    =The Return of Godzilla
|prevname    =''The Return of Godzilla''
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|nextname    =Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
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{{Infopelicula
{{Infobox Film|ratings=yes
|type1      =Grass
|type1      =Grass
|type2      =Poison
|type2      =Poison
|header      ={{Toho}} {{Kaijup}} {{Film}}
|image      =Godzilla_vs._Biollante_Poster_Japan_2.png
|image      =Godzilla vs biollante poster.jpg
|caption    =The Japanese poster for Godzilla vs. Biollante
|caption    =The Japanese poster for Godzilla vs. Biollante
|nameoffilm  =''Godzilla vs. Biollante''
|dt          =''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' (1989)
|dt          =''Godzilla vs. Biollante''
|name        =''Godzilla vs. Biollante''|alt-titles=yes
|producer    =[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]
|producer    =[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]
|director    =[[Kazuki Omori]]
|director    =[[Kazuki Omori]]
|writer      =[[Kazuki Omori]],<br>Shinichiro Kobayashi
|writer      =[[Kazuki Omori]], Shinichiro Kobayashi
|composer    =Koichi Sugiyama,<br>Yuki Saito
|composer    =Koichi Sugiyama, Yuki Saito
|distributor =[[Toho Company Ltd.]]{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br>Miramax{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|distributor =[[Toho]]{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}},<br>Miramax{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|rating      =PG{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|rating      =PG{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|budget      =¥700,000,000
|budget      =¥700,000,000
|gross      =¥1,040,000,000
|gross      =¥1,040,000,000<ref name="MPPA-1990">[http://www.eiren.org/toukei/1990.html 1990 distributed films over ¥1 billion - Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan]</ref>
|runtime    =104 minutes<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 44 minutes)}}
|runtime    =104 minutes<br />{{Small|(1 hour, 44 minutes)}}
|designs    =[[BioGoji]], [[Biollante|ShodaiRozuBio]], [[Biollante|ShodaiBio]]
|aspectratio =1.85:1
}}
}}
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{{Quote|The winner of this battle would be the most enormous enemy against human beings. (勝った方が人類最大の敵になる)|Tagline<ref>[[File:Godzilla vs. Biollante Poster International.png|200px]]</ref>}}
{{Quote|A super [[Godzilla/Heisei|Godzilla]], ''(超ゴジラ)''<br>it was born from Godzilla cells!|parenthetical=それはゴジラ細胞から生まれた!|Tagline}}
'''''Godzilla vs. Biollante''''' {{Nihongo|ゴジラVSビオランテ|Gojira buiesu Biorante}} is a [[1989]] {{daikaiju eiga}} produced by [[Toho Company Ltd.]], and the seventeenth installment in the [[Godzilla (Franchise)|Godzilla series]] as well as the second in the [[Heisei era|Heisei series]]. The film was released to [[Japan]]ese theaters on December 16, [[1989]].
{{Quote|The winner of this battle would be the most enormous enemy against human beings.|parenthetical=勝った方が人類最大の敵になる|Tagline<ref>[[File:Godzilla vs. Biollante Poster International.png|200px]]</ref>}}
'''''Godzilla vs. Biollante''''' {{Nihongo|ゴジラ{{tt|VS|たい}}ビオランテ|Gojira {{tt|tai|alternatively 'buiesu'}} Biorante}} is a [[1989]] [[tokusatsu]] [[:Category:Kaiju Films|kaiju film]] produced by [[Toho]], and the seventeenth installment in the [[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla series]] as well as the second in the [[Heisei era|Heisei series]]. The film was released to [[Japan]]ese theaters on December 16, [[1989]].<ref name="Godzilla.jp">[http://godzilla.jp/work/17/ ゴジラVSビオランテ|ゴジラ 東宝公式サイト] (official [[Godzilla.jp]] page)</ref>
 
The first ''Godzilla'' film to be released during the actual political Heisei period of [[Japan]], ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' picks up directly where ''[[The Return of Godzilla]]'' left off. In the wake of [[Godzilla/Heisei|Godzilla's]] attack on [[Tokyo]], his cells have become a coveted scientific resource, with governments and the terrorist organization [[Bio-Major]] fighting over them. Five years later, Dr. [[Genshiro Shiragami]] uses a sample of G-Cells to try and preserve his deceased daughter's cells within a rose, unintentionally creating the hybrid [[kaiju]] [[Biollante]]. In addition, a botched terrorist ransoming by Bio-Major results in Godzilla being released from his prison within [[Mount Mihara]]. As the [[JSDF]] prepares to fight back against Godzilla with its new array of weaponry, Godzilla converges on Biollante's location at [[Lake Ashi]], setting up a battle in which the winner will be humanity's biggest enemy.
{{TOC}}
{{TOC}}
==Plot==
==Plot==
In [[1984]], a scientific team picks through the ruins of [[Tokyo]], searching for tissue samples left behind by the monster [[Godzilla]] following his rampage there only a few hours earlier. The creature had returned after 30 years, and had reduced Tokyo to rubble. After destroying the [[J.S.D.F.]]'s [[Super X]], the monster had been lured to [[Mount Mihara]], where an eruption had been triggered that sealed the titan within the volcano. The scientific team soon find what they are looking for, but as they continue to search, a team of American paramilitary soldiers working for a United States-based genetics research company called [[Bio-Major]] ambushes them and steals the cell samples. As they flee with their prize, they are ambushed themselves by a lone mercenary, who kills the commandos and steals the cells back. The mysterious man, a killer known only as [[SSS9]], then takes the cells to the Republic of [[Saradia]], an OPEC nation in the Middle East, where Japanese geneticist [[Genshiro Shiragami]] and his daughter [[Erika Shiragami|Erika]] take charge of them. Shiragami is working with the Saradian government on a project to genetically breed a new species of plant capable of living in the arid Saradian deserts. This, the government hopes, will gradually take the country away from relying only on oil exports for profit, and will hopefully make them the worlds largest grain exporter. However, before this can become a reality, the lab where the Godzilla cells are being stored is bombed by Bio-Major agents, and the cells are destroyed. Shiragami's daughter, Erika, is killed in the blast, and the distraught scientist returns to Japan, unwilling to continue his research.
In [[1984]], a scientific team picks through the ruins of [[Tokyo]], searching for tissue samples left behind by the monster [[Godzilla/Heisei|Godzilla]] following his rampage there only a few hours earlier. The creature had returned after 30 years, and had reduced Tokyo to rubble. After destroying the [[JSDF]]'s [[Super X]], the monster had been lured to [[Mount Mihara]], where an eruption had been triggered that sealed the titan within the volcano. The scientific team soon find what they are looking for, but as they continue to search, a team of American paramilitary soldiers working for a United States-based genetics research company called [[Bio-Major]] ambushes them and steals the cell samples. As they flee with their prize, they are ambushed themselves by a lone mercenary, who kills the commandos and steals the cells back. The mysterious man, a killer known only as [[SSS9]], then takes the cells to the Republic of [[Saradia]], an OPEC nation in the Middle East, where Japanese geneticist [[Genshiro Shiragami]] and his daughter [[Erika Shiragami|Erika]] take charge of them. Shiragami is working with the Saradian government on a project to genetically breed a new species of plant capable of living in the arid Saradian deserts. This, the government hopes, will gradually take the country away from relying only on oil exports for profit, and will hopefully make them the world's largest grain exporter. However, before this can become a reality, the lab where the Godzilla cells are being stored is bombed by Bio-Major agents, and the cells are destroyed. Erika is killed in the blast, and the distraught scientist returns to Japan, unwilling to continue his research.


Five years later, in 1989, Japan has, for the most part, recovered from Godzilla's attack. Shiagami has kept Erika's keep-sake roses alive for all this time, and has even spliced her genes into the plants in hopes that she might continue to live within them. After five years of wondering if this is even possible, he calls the Japanese Psyonics Research Center, who send two psychics, [[Asuka Okouchi]] and [[Miki Saegusa]], to test the roses for psychic energy. Miki, only seventeen years old, is an incredibly gifted psychic, and as she analyzes the roses, she can hear the voice of a girl calling Asuka's name. As the two women leave, they do not know that they are being watched. In the trees rests a truck, and from the window two Bio-Major agents, John Lee and Michael Low, look on. As it turns out, they have been watching Shiragami for several years. Little do they know that they too are under surveillance. Behind them, the Saradian agent that stole the Godzilla cells in 1984 watches in silence.
Over five years later, in 1990, Japan has, for the most part, recovered from Godzilla's attack. Shiagami lives in solitude in a laboratory on the shores of [[Lake Ashi]], and has kept Erika's keep-sake roses alive for all this time, and has even spliced her genes into the plants in hopes that she might continue to live within them. After five years of wondering if this is even possible, he calls the Japanese Psyonics Research Center, who sends [[Miki Saegusa]] to test the roses for psychic energy. Miki, only seventeen years old, is an incredibly gifted psychic, and as she analyzes the roses, she can hear the voice of a girl calling the name of [[Asuka Okouchi]], a former friend of Erika who accompanied Miki to Shiragami's lab. As the two women leave, they do not know that they are being watched. In the trees rests a truck, and from the window two Bio-Major agents, [[John Lee]] and Michael Low, look on. As it turns out, they have been watching Shiragami for several years. Little do they know that they too are under surveillance. Behind them, the Saradian agent that stole the Godzilla cells in 1984 watches in silence.


Asuka Okouchi is the daughter of Seido Okochi, founder and head of the Okochi Foundation, a genetic research institute. Her boyfriend, Kazuhito Kirishima, is a geneticist as well, but has recently become very concerned with the ethics of his work. He believes that if the scientists are not careful, they may create something terrible, something never intended to exist on the planet Earth. He fears that Okouchi's view of science, that being a way to gain power and money, goes against what science is really all about. However, as he is dating Okouchi's daughter and his lab is funded by the Okouchi Foundation, there is little he can do to voice his opinions.
Asuka Okouchi is the daughter of Seido Okochi, founder and head of the Okochi Foundation, a genetic research institute. Her boyfriend, Kazuhito Kirishima, is a geneticist as well, but has recently become very concerned with the ethics of his work. He believes that if the scientists are not careful, they may create something terrible, something never intended to exist on the planet Earth. He fears that Okouchi's view of science, that being a way to gain power and money, goes against what science is really all about. However, as he is dating Okouchi's daughter and his lab is funded by the Okouchi Foundation, there is little he can do to voice his opinions.


Meanwhile, a small eruption at [[Mt. Mihara]] begins to worry the Japanese government. Godzilla has remained interred within the mountain for the last five years, and it is now becoming clear that the creature is stirring within. The Japanese begin their planning for the monster's return, and prepare several defenses. Lt. [[Sho Kuroki]] of the JSDF, along with [[Goro Gondo]] of the National Land Bureau's Godzilla Unit, begin to organize and prepare. The JSDF has constructed the [[Super X2]], a vastly improved version of the machine that fought Godzilla in 1984. The machine is now semi-aquatic, capable of functioning under water, and now features a vast array of weapons. The new mech also possesses a "Fire Mirror", capable of deflecting Godzilla's atomic ray back at him. The government also has another trick up their sleeves: they are planning to develop a biological weapon called the [[Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria]] (ANEB). The bacteria, designed to break down nuclear energy, was originally intended to clean up atomic waste. However, as the bacteria eats nuclear material, it could, theoretically, be used against Godzilla, who feeds off nuclear energy. However, the ANEB cannot be created without Godzilla cells. As it turns out, the cells of the King of the Monsters contain a special set of nuclear-eating genes that are used to power up the creature. These genes are needed to make the ANEB, and much like snake venom can be used to create an antidote for snake poisoning, it is believed that the G-cells can be used to create a chemical that can poison and kill Godzilla himself. A group of cells recovered in 1984 are now stored at the Okouchi Foundation, safe from terrorists such as the Bio-Major agents. Kirishima and Kuroki attempt to lobby Dr. Shiragami to join the project, but he flatly refuses. He blames the G-cells for his daughter's death five years earlier, and has no intention of getting involved with them again.
Meanwhile, a small eruption at Mt. Mihara begins to worry the Japanese government. Godzilla has remained interred within the mountain for the last five years, and it is now becoming clear that the creature is stirring within. The Japanese begin their planning for the monster's return, and prepare several defenses. Lt. [[Sho Kuroki]] of the JSDF, along with [[Goro Gondo]] of the National Land Bureau's Godzilla Unit, begin to organize and prepare. The JSDF has constructed the [[Super X2]], a vastly improved version of the machine that fought Godzilla in 1984. The machine is now semi-aquatic, capable of functioning under water, and now features a vast array of weapons. The new mech also possesses a "Fire Mirror," a gigantic lens composed of synthetic diamond capable of deflecting Godzilla's atomic ray back at him at over one thousand times the force. The government also has another trick up their sleeves: they are planning to develop a biological weapon called the [[Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria]] (ANEB). The bacteria, designed to break down nuclear energy, was originally intended to clean up atomic waste. However, as the bacteria eats nuclear material, it could, theoretically, be used against Godzilla, who feeds off nuclear energy. However, the ANEB cannot be created without Godzilla cells. As it turns out, the cells of the King of the Monsters contain a special set of nuclear-eating genes that are used to allow the creature to derive energy from nuclear materials. These genes are needed to make the ANEB, and much like snake venom can be used to create an antidote for snake poisoning, it is believed that the G-cells can be used to create a bacteria that can poison and kill Godzilla himself. A group of cells recovered in 1984 are now stored at the Okouchi Foundation, safe from terrorists such as the Bio-Major agents. Kirishima and Kuroki attempt to lobby Dr. Shiragami to join the project, but he flatly refuses. He blames the G-cells for his daughter's death five years earlier, and has no intention of getting involved with them again.
 
Several days later, Mt. Mihara erupts, spewing lava all across Oshima Island. The resulting earthquakes hit Japan and injure Shiragami's roses. Fearing that Erika may die if the roses perish, he formulates a plan. He joins the ANEB project, but only on one condition: he is to keep the Godzilla cells for the one week until the project begins. On a dark and stormy night, Shiragami sits alone in his lab. Before him lie several rose petals and the Godzilla cells. Under his microscope, he carefully isolates one G-cell and one cell from the rose, and then, ever so carefully, combines the two together. Now, he hopes, his daughter will live forever in a plant given the regenerative properties of Godzilla himself.


Several days later, Bio-Major's agents break into Shiragami's lab. Unbeknownst to them, SSS9 also breaks in. When the thieves and the assassin catch each other, a gunfight ensues. It is interrupted by an attack of a giant, mobile plant that kills Low and attacks SS9. Lee flees, while the assassin barely escapes from the plant's grasp. They do not realize that they have just encountered the result of Dr. Shiragami's secret experiments. The next morning a giant flower is seen in [[Lake Ashi]], and Dr. Shiragami confesses that he combined the DNA of roses with Godzilla cells. Furthermore, he confesses to Asuka, Miki and Kirishima that in a fit of desperate grief, he added Erika's DNA to the mutated genetic structure, so that some of the creature is composed of Erika as well. He names his creation [[Biollante]].
Several days later, Mt. Mihara erupts, spewing lava all across [[Izu Oshima]]. The resulting earthquakes hit Japan are felt as far away as Shiragami's lab. The earthquake damages the terrarium containing Erika's roses. Fearing that Erika may die if the roses perish, he formulates a plan. He joins the ANEB project, but only on one condition: he is to keep the Godzilla cells for the one week until the project begins. On a dark and stormy night, Shiragami sits alone in his lab. Before him lie several rose petals and the Godzilla cells. Under his microscope, he carefully isolates one G-cell and one cell from the rose, and then, ever so carefully, combines the two together. Now, he hopes, his daughter will live forever in a plant given the regenerative properties of Godzilla himself.


Meanwhile, Bio-Major anonymously sends a letter to the [[National Diet Building|Diet]] of Japan, informing them that they have planted several bombs inside Mt. Mihara. If the Anti-Nuclear Bacteria is not handed over, the company threatens to detonate the bombs and release Godzilla. With the country held hostage, the Diet is forced to comply, sending Colonel Gondo and Dr. Kirishima to hand over the ANEB to Bio-Major's agent John Lee. However, the exchange is interrupted when SSS9 opens fire on them before the explosives can be disarmed. Lee tries to drive away in his truck, but is killed by a sniper bullet to the head, causing the truck to be overturned. SSS9 retrieves the ANEB and escapes, while Gondo and Kirishima are unable to disarm the explosives. Godzilla is released as Mt. Mihara erupts. Upon hearing Godzilla's roar, Biollante's blossom opens, and the monstrous plant begins calling out to Godzilla. Dr. Shiragami theorizes that this is because both Godzilla and Biollante are essentially the same being. With Godzilla's destination made clear, the Japan Self-Defense Forces, under the leadership of Sho Kuroki, prepare their strategies for dealing with the King of the Monsters. The Super X2 is deployed against Godzilla in the [[Pacific Ocean|ocean]], and though it at first seems effective in combating Godzilla, it is eventually overwhelmed by Godzilla's atomic breath, and is forced to retreat. Later on, Godzilla finally reaches Biollante at the lake. As Godzilla stares at the monstrous plant, Biollante panics and attacks him, and a huge battle ensues, and briefly it appears that there is a stalemate. However, Godzilla seemingly defeats Biollante by burning her alive with his atomic breath, only for it to be revealed that Biollante is immortal as she escapes by dissolving into spores that float into outer space. Victorious for now and running low on nuclear energy following his last two battles, Godzilla heads towards the nearest operational nuclear reactor, which is located in Tsuruga, on the other side of the country. The military is sent out to meet Godzilla at Iso Bay. However, Godzilla unexpectedly surfaces in [[Osaka Bay]], avoiding a confrontation with the JSDF. Saegusa tries to help, attempting to make Godzilla turn away from [[Osaka]] using her psychic abilities. Her efforts distract Godzilla momentarily, but the force of Godzilla's will and his psychic brainpower overwhelms her, causing her to faint. A plan is put into action, involving infecting Godzilla with the ANEB, which was retrieved by Gondo and Kirishima from the Saradia Oil Corporation's Osaka office. Kuroki sends the still-damaged Super X2 to distract Godzilla while Gondo and his team prepare rockets loaded with ANEB. Godzilla destroys the craft with a blast of atomic breath, but Gondo and his team manage to get in position. Godzilla is infected with three rockets, including one fired directly into his mouth, but he kills Gondo and continues on, seemingly unaffected by the ANEB.
Several days later, Bio-Major's agents break into Shiragami's lab. Unbeknownst to them, SSS9 also breaks in. When the thieves and the assassin catch each other, a gunfight ensues. It is interrupted by an attack of a giant, mobile plant that kills Low and attacks SSS9. Lee flees, while the assassin barely escapes from the plant's grasp. They do not realize that they have just encountered the result of Dr. Shiragami's secret experiments. The next morning a giant flower is seen in Lake Ashi, and Dr. Shiragami confesses that he combined the DNA of roses with Godzilla cells, believing he had created an immortal plant species. Furthermore, he confesses to Asuka, Miki and Kirishima that in a fit of desperate grief, he added Erika's DNA to the mutated genetic structure, so that some of the creature is composed of Erika as well. He names his creation [[Biollante]], after a plant spirit from Norse mythology. Miki remarks that she can hear Erika's spirit inside Biollante, crying out in fear.


The failure of the bacteria to work is attributed to Godzilla's low body temperature, which keeps the bacteria in a near-dormant state. If Godzilla can be heated, Shiragami theorizes, then the ANB should work. The JSDF develops another plan: force Godzilla onto a field of [[M6000 T.C. System|microwave-emitting plates]] during an artificial thunderstorm, where it will be heated by the microwaves and a unit of [[MBT-92]] [[Maser Cannon]]s. The operation begins, but it seems that Godzilla is not affected by the microwaves as he easily destroys the J.S.D.F.'s forces. Just as everything seems lost, a low rumble is heard and Biollante's spores rain down from the sky. Suddenly, Biollante's gigantic evolved form emerges from the ground, obliterating the J.S.D.F.'s remaining forces. Biollante attacks Godzilla and this time has the advantage. When Biollante attempts to bite down on Godzilla's head, he fires his atomic breath directly into her mouth, causing it to explode out the back of her head. Godzilla then begins to be affected by the ANEB, due to Biollante's corrosive sap raising his temperature. Godzilla tries to walk away but collapses headfirst into the ocean. With Godzilla temporarily knocked out, Biollante dissolves into spores and escapes into space again. As the monster's essence floats upwards, Dr. Shiragami sees the image of his daughter among the spores. Calling out to her, he walks forward and is shot and killed by SSS9, who was ordered by his government to kill Shiragami now that the cells were lost. Dr. Kirishima chases the agent and fights him. The agent is at a disadvantage until he is able to grab his weapon again. The Saradian agent attempts to kill Kirishima, but Major Kuroki activates an artificial lightning generator that SSS9 is standing on, disintegrating him. The characters celebrate their victory when Godzilla suddenly rises, his body temperature lowered by the water. However, Godzilla simply swims away, leaving Japan safe for the time being. Kirishima and Asuka leave together in Kirishima's car. The body of Dr. Shiragami is placed inside a tent, Dr. Okouchi briefly mourning him before leaving. Erika is heard to briefly comment on the recent events. Godzilla is seen swimming away, while Biollante is visible as a giant rose floating near the Earth in outer space.
Meanwhile, Bio-Major anonymously sends a letter to the [[National Diet Building|Diet]] of Japan, informing them that they have planted several bombs inside Mt. Mihara. If the Anti-Nuclear Bacteria is not handed over, the company threatens to detonate the bombs and release Godzilla. With the country held hostage, the Diet is forced to comply, sending Colonel Gondo and Dr. Kirishima to hand over the ANEB to Bio-Major's agent John Lee. However, the exchange is interrupted when SSS9 opens fire on them before the explosives can be disarmed. Lee tries to drive away in his truck, but is killed by a sniper bullet to the head, causing the truck to be overturned. SSS9 retrieves the ANEB and escapes, while Gondo and Kirishima are unable to disarm the explosives. Godzilla is released as Mt. Mihara erupts. Upon hearing Godzilla's roar, Biollante's blossom opens, and the monstrous plant begins calling out to Godzilla. Miki remarks that Erika's spirit is seemingly no longer in control of Biollante, leaving the creature a violent monster that is part Godzilla and part rose. With Godzilla's destination made clear, the JSDF, under the leadership of Sho Kuroki, prepare their strategies for dealing with the King of the Monsters. The Super X2 is deployed against Godzilla in the [[Pacific Ocean|ocean]], and though it at first seems effective in combating Godzilla, it is eventually overwhelmed by Godzilla's atomic breath, and is forced to retreat. After the battle, Godzilla comes ashore in Japan and approaches Lake Ashi, where Biollante is rooted. Shiragami wonders if Godzilla came all this way to see Biollante because he knew they were made from the same cells. As Godzilla stares at the monstrous plant, Biollante panics and attacks him, and a huge battle ensues, and briefly it appears that there is a stalemate. However, Godzilla seemingly defeats Biollante by burning her alive with his atomic breath, only for it to be revealed that Biollante is immortal as she escapes by dissolving into spores that float into outer space. Victorious for now and running low on nuclear energy following his last two battles, Godzilla heads towards the nearest operational nuclear reactor, which is located in Tsuruga, on the other side of the country. The military is sent out to meet Godzilla at Ise Bay. However, Godzilla unexpectedly surfaces in [[Osaka Bay]], avoiding a confrontation with the JSDF. Miki tries to help, attempting to make Godzilla turn away from [[Osaka]] using her psychic abilities. Her efforts distract Godzilla momentarily, but the force of Godzilla's will and his psychic brainpower overwhelms her, causing her to faint. A plan is put into action, involving infecting Godzilla with the ANEB, which was retrieved by Gondo and Kirishima from the Saradia Oil Corporation's Osaka office. Kuroki sends the still-damaged Super X2 to distract Godzilla while Gondo and his team prepare rockets loaded with ANEB. Godzilla destroys the craft with a blast of atomic breath, but Gondo and his team manage to get in position. Godzilla is infected with three rockets, including one fired directly into his mouth, but he kills Gondo and continues on, seemingly unaffected by the ANEB.


The failure of the bacteria to work is attributed to Godzilla's low body temperature, which keeps the bacteria in a near-dormant state. If Godzilla can be heated, Shiragami theorizes, then the ANEB should work. The JSDF develops another plan: force Godzilla onto a field of [[M6000 T.C. System|microwave-emitting plates]] during an artificial thunderstorm, where he will be heated by the microwaves and a unit of [[MBT-MB92]] [[Maser Cannon]]s. The operation begins, and while Godzilla does briefly seem to weaken, he easily destroys the JSDF's forces. Just as everything seems lost, a low rumble is heard and Biollante's spores rain down from the sky. Suddenly, Biollante's gigantic evolved form emerges from the ground, obliterating the JSDF's remaining forces. Biollante attacks Godzilla and this time has the advantage. She stabs Godzilla with her spear-tipped tendrils and spits corrosive sap onto him. When Biollante attempts to bite down on Godzilla's head, he fires his atomic breath directly into her mouth, causing it to explode out the back of her head. Godzilla then begins to be affected by the ANEB, due to Biollante's corrosive sap raising his temperature. Godzilla tries to walk away but collapses headfirst into the ocean. With Godzilla temporarily knocked out, Biollante dissolves into spores and escapes into space again. As the monster's essence floats upwards, Dr. Shiragami sees the image of his daughter among the spores. Miki says that Biollante had told them "Thank you" as she floated into the atmosphere. Calling out to his daughter, Shiragami walks forward and is shot and killed by SSS9, who was ordered by his government to kill Shiragami now that the cells were lost. Dr. Kirishima chases the agent and fights him. The agent is at a disadvantage until he is able to grab his weapon again. The Saradian agent attempts to kill Kirishima, but Major Kuroki activates an artificial lightning generator that SSS9 is standing on, disintegrating him. Kirishima and Asuka celebrate their victory when Godzilla suddenly rises, his body temperature lowered by the water. However, Godzilla simply swims away, leaving Japan safe for the time being. Kirishima and Asuka leave together in Kirishima's car. The body of Dr. Shiragami is placed inside a tent, Dr. Okouchi briefly mourning him before leaving. Erika is heard to briefly comment on the recent events. Godzilla is seen swimming away, while Biollante is visible as a giant rose floating near the Earth in outer space.
==Staff==
==Staff==
{{Main|Godzilla vs. Biollante/Credits}}
{{Staffs
{{Staffs
|Directed by=[[Kazuki Omori]]
|Directed by|[[Kazuki Omori]]
|Written by=[[Kazuki Omori]], Shinichiro Kobayashi
|Written by|[[Kazuki Omori]], Shinichiro Kobayashi
|Produced by=[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]
|Produced by|[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]
|Music by=Koichi Sugiyama, Yuki Saito
|Music by|Koichi Sugiyama, Yuki Saito
|Stock Music by=[[Akira Ifukube]]
|Stock music by|[[Akira Ifukube]]
|Cinematography by=Yudai Kato
|Cinematography by|Yudai Kato
|Edited by=Michiko Ikeda
|Edited by|Michiko Ikeda
|Production Design by=Juichi Ikuno, Shigekazu Ikuno
|Production design by|Juichi Ikuno, Shigekazu Ikuno
|Assistant Directing by=Kazuhiko Fukami, Hideyuki Inoue, Hiroshi Kubo
|Assistant directors|Kazuhiko Fukami, Hideyuki Inoue, Hiroshi Kubo
|Special Effects by=[[Koichi Kawakita]]
|Director of special effects|[[Koichi Kawakita]]
}}
}}
==Cast==
==Cast==
{{Main|Godzilla vs. Biollante/Credits}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{Cast
{{Cast
|Kunihiko Mitamura|Kazuhito Kirishima  
|Kunihiko Mitamura|Dr. Kazuhito Kirishima
|Yoshiko Tanaka|[[Asuka Okouchi]]
|[[Yoshiko Tanaka]]|[[Asuka Okouchi]]
|Masanobu Takashima|[[Sho Kuroki|Major Sho Kuroki]]
|Masanobu Takashima|Major [[Sho Kuroki]]
|[[Megumi Odaka]]|[[Miki Saegusa]]
|[[Megumi Odaka]]|[[Miki Saegusa]]
|[[Toru Minegishi]]|Lieutenant [[Goro Gondo]]
|[[Toru Minegishi]]|Colonel [[Goro Gondo]]
|Ryunosuke Kaneda|Seigo Okouchi, Head of the Okouchi Foundation
|Koji Takahashi|Dr. [[Genshiro Shiragami]]
|Koji Takahashi|Dr. [[Genshiro Shiragami]]
|Toshiyuki Nagashima|Director Seiichi Yamamoto
|Manjot Bedi|[[SSS9]]
|Ryunosuke Kaneda|Azuka's Father Seikun Okouchi
|[[Koichi Ueda]]|Ground SDF Chief of Staff
|Kazuma Matsubara|[[Super X2]] Coordinator
|Kosuke Toyohara|Osamu Amezawa
|Yasunori Yuge|Prime Minister
|Kyoko Suzuki|Hiromi Kawai
|Yoshiko Kuga|Prime Minister's Wife Owada
|Takashi Hunt|[[Bio-Major]] Agent [[John Lee]]
|Yasuko Sawaguchi|[[Erika Shiragami]]
|Derrick Holmes|Bio-Major Agent Michael Low
|Brien Uhl|[[SSS9]]
|Kazuma Matsubara|[[JSDF]] Soldier
|[[Koichi Ueda]]|General Hyodo
|Hiroshi Inoue|JSDF Soldier
|Kosuke Toyohara|Super X2 Controller
|Hiroto Yoshimitsu|JSDF Soldier
|Haruko Sagara|TV Reporter
|Yoshiharu Yamada|JSDF Soldier
|[[Katsuhiko Sasaki]]|Soldier
|Tetsu Kawai|JSDF Soldier
|Hirohisa Nakata|Helicopter Onlooker
|Yasunori Yumeiie|JSDF Soldier
|Kenzo Hagiwara|Officer
|Shin Tatsuma|Director General Akiyama
|Kurt Cramer|[[Bio-Major]] Spy [[John Lee]]
|Shu Minagawa|Strategy Team Member
|Derrick Holmes|Bio-Major Spy Michael Low
|Masahiko Sakata|Strategy Team Member
|Beth Blatt|English Reporter
|Kazuma Matsuoka|Strategy Team Member
|Demon Kogure|Demon Kogure
{{col-2}}
|Abdallah Helal|[[Saradia]] Scientist
|Soleiman Mehdizadeh|Sirhan, [[Saradia]] Oil Corporation Japan Branch Manager
|Manjot Beoi|Saradia Plant Director
|Abdallah Helal|Researcher
|Kurt Cramer|Commando
|Brien Uhl|Commando
|Robert Corner|Commando
|Koumi Kuroiwa|Nurse at [[Osaka]] Chisato Central Hospital
|Beth Blatt|CCN Reporter Susan Horn
|[[Yasuko Sawaguchi]]|[[Erika Shiragami]]
|Toshiyuki Nagashima|Seiichi Yamamoto
|Yoshiko Kuga|Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiko Owada
|Hirohisa Nakata|Defense Minister Minoru Oyama
|[[Katsuhiko Sasaki]]|Director of Science and Technology Research Takeda
|Kenzo Hagiwara|Takeo Shimura
|Kazuyuki Senba|Maritime SDF Chief of Staff
|Koji Yamanaka|Air SDF Chief of Staff
|Aijdin Yamanlar|Abdul Zalman, Director of the Saradia Biotechnology Institute
|[[Kenpachiro Satsuma]]|[[Godzilla/Heisei|Godzilla]]
|Takegami Akio|[[Biollante]] (1st form)
|Shigeru Shibasaki, Yoshitaka Kimura|Biollante (2nd form)
|Haruko Sagara|TNN TV Reporter
|Hiromi Matsukana|Breaking Newscaster
|Isao Takeno|[[Super X2]] Maintenance Chief
|Demon Kogure|Himself
|[[Kazuki Omori]]|Doctor at Osaka Chisato Central Hospital (uncredited)
}}
{{col-end}}
===International English dub===
{{Cast
|Chris Hilton|Dr. Kazuhito Kirishima
|Suzanne Vale|[[Asuka Okouchi]] / Breaking Newscaster
|Rik Thomas|Colonel [[Goro Gondo]]
|Warren Rooke|Dr. [[Genshiro Shiragami]]
|Simon Broad|Seigo Okouchi / Abdul Zalman / Osamu Amezawa / Demon Kogure
}}
}}
==Appearances==
==Appearances==
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{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
===Monsters===
===Monsters===
*[[Godzilla]] ([[BioGoji]])
*[[Godzilla/Heisei|Godzilla]] ([[BioGoji]])
*[[Biollante]]
*[[Biollante]]
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
===Weapons, Vehicles, and Races===
===Weapons, vehicles, and races===
*[[Super X2]]
*[[Super X2]]
*[[Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria]]
*[[Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria]]
*[[Oxygen Destroyer]] (Cameo)
*[[Oxygen Destroyer]] (cameo)
*[[MBT-92]]
*[[MBT-MB92]]
*[[UH-1B Huey]]
*[[UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1B Huey]]
*[[Type 74 Tank]]
*[[Type 74 Tank]]
*[[Type 90 Tank]]
*[[Type 90 Tank]]
*[[Super X]] (Stock Footage)
*[[Super X]] (stock footage)
*[[Hyper Laser Cannon]] (Stock Footage)
*[[Hyper Laser Cannon]] (stock footage)
*[[DDH-142 Haruna Class Destroyer]]
*[[Haruna-class destroyer|''Haruna''-class destroyer]]
*[[DD-122 Hatsuyuki]]
*[[Hatsuyuki-class destroyer|''Hatsuyuki''-class destroyer]]
*[[Mitsubishi F-15J]]
*[[Mitsubishi F-15J]]
*[[AH-1 Cobra]]
*[[AH-1 Cobra]]
*[[Hughes 500C]]
*Hughes 500C
*[[M6000 T.C. System]]
*[[M6000 T.C. System]]
*[[KV-107 II Helicopter]]
*[[Kawasaki-Vertol KV-107 II|KV-107 II Helicopter]]
*[[Type 73 APC]]
*[[wikipedia:Type 73 Armored Personnel Carrier|Type 73 Armored Personnel Carrier]]
*[[Type 75 MSSR]]
*[[Type 75 130 mm Multiple Rocket Launcher]]
*[[Type 82 Command Vehicle]]
*Type 82 Command Vehicle
*[[HSS-2B]]
*[[wikipedia:Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King|HSS-2B]]
*[[M110A2 Self-Propelled Howitzer]]
*[[M110A2 Self-Propelled Howitzer]]
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
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==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
{{Main|Godzilla vs. Biollante (Soundtrack)}}
{{Main|Godzilla vs. Biollante (Soundtrack)}}
==Alternate Titles==
==Alternate titles==
*'''''Big Dinosaurs''''' (大恐龍; Taiwan)
*'''''Big Dinosaurs''''' (大恐龍; Taiwan)
*'''''Godzilla, the Ancient Giant''''' (''Godzilla, der Urgigant''; Germany)
*'''''Godzilla, the Ancient Giant''''' (''Godzilla, Der Urgigant''; Germany)
*'''''Godzilla 1990''''' (''1990ก็อตซิลลา''; Thailand)
*'''''Godzilla 1990''''' (''1990ก็อตซิลลา''; Thailand)
*'''''Godzilla 2''''' (Mexico)
*'''''Godzilla 2''''' (Mexico)
==Theatrical Releases==
*'''''Godzilla Counterattacks''''' (''Godzilla contra-ataca''; Portugal)
==Theatrical releases==
{{All Posters}}
{{All Posters}}
*[[Japan]] - December 16, [[1989]] {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_vs._Biollante_Poster_Japan_2.png|caption=Japanese poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*[[Japan]] - December 16, [[1989]]<ref name="Godzilla.jp"/> {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla vs biollante poster.jpg|caption=Japanese poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Thailand {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_vs._Biollante_Poster_Thailand.png|caption=Thai poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Thailand {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_vs._Biollante_Poster_Thailand.png|caption=Thai poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Taiwan {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_vs._Biollante_Poster_Taiwan.png|caption=Taiwanese poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*Taiwan - January 26, [[1990]] {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_vs._Biollante_Poster_Taiwan.png|caption=Taiwanese poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
 
==[[United States|U.S.]] release==
==[[United States|U.S.]] Release==
[[File:Godzilla vs. Biollante VHS Cover United States.jpg|thumb|right|200px|American ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' VHS cover]]
[[File:Godzilla vs. Biollante VHS Cover United States.jpg|thumb|right|200px|American ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' VHS cover]]
After ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' was released in Japan, Toho commissioned a [[Hong Kong]]-based company called [[Omni Productions]] to dub the film into English for their international version. In early 1990, Toho entered discussions with Miramax to distribute the film. When talks broke off, Toho filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Federal Court, accusing Miramax of entering an oral agreement in June to pay Toho $500,000 to distribute the film. This lawsuit delayed the film's release for two years. An out of court settlement was reached with Miramax buying the rights to the film for an unreported figure. While Miramax had entertained thoughts of releasing the film in theaters, but in the end it was decided to release the film straight to home video instead. HBO released the film on VHS in 1992 and Laserdisc in 1993. Miramax utilized the uncut English international version of the film for this release. The international version of the film was released on video in the United States by HBO Video in association with Miramax on November 25, 1992. The film was released on laserdisc the next year. ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' was released on DVD and Blu-ray disc in North America by Echo Bridge Entertainment through Miramax on December 4, 2012.
After ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' was released in Japan, Toho commissioned a [[Hong Kong]]-based company called [[Omni Productions]] to dub the film into English for their international version. In early 1990, Toho entered discussions with Miramax to distribute the film. When talks broke off, Toho filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Federal Court, accusing Miramax of entering an oral agreement in June to pay Toho $500,000 to distribute the film. This lawsuit delayed the film's release for two years. An out of court settlement was reached with Miramax buying the rights to the film for an unreported figure. While Miramax had entertained thoughts of releasing the film in theaters, but in the end it was decided to release the film straight to home video instead. HBO released the film on VHS in 1992 and Laserdisc in 1993. Miramax utilized the uncut English international version of the film for this release. The international version of the film was released on video in the United States by HBO Video in association with Miramax via Dimension Studios on November 25, 1992. The film was released on laserdisc the next year. ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' was released on DVD and Blu-ray disc in North America by Echo Bridge Entertainment through Miramax on December 4, 2012.


''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' was the last new Godzilla film to receive a release in the United States until {{Tristar}} released ''[[Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah]]'' and ''[[Godzilla vs. Mothra]]'' on VHS in [[1998]]. ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' was also the last Toho Godzilla film to receive its own international English-language title card. For every film since, Toho has elected to simply digitally superimpose the international title over the Japanese title card (except in the case of ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', whose original title card is in English).
''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' was the last new Godzilla film to receive a release in the United States until [[TriStar Pictures]] released ''[[Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah]]'' and ''[[Godzilla vs. Mothra]]'' on VHS in [[1998]]. ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' was also the last Toho Godzilla film to receive its own international English-language title card. For every film since, Toho has elected to simply digitally superimpose the international title over the Japanese title card (except in the case of ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', whose original title card is in English).
==Box Office==
{{Clear}}
==Box office==
''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' had a budget of ¥700,000,000, or $5,000,000. When the film opened in Japan on December 16, 1989, it sold 2,000,000 tickets, earning ¥1,040,000,000, or roughly $7,000,000. Though the film was not a financial failure, it did not perform to Toho's expectations, causing them to place the series on a brief two-year hiatus and elect to bring back [[King Ghidorah]] for the next film.
''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' had a budget of ¥700,000,000, or $5,000,000. When the film opened in Japan on December 16, 1989, it sold 2,000,000 tickets, earning ¥1,040,000,000, or roughly $7,000,000. Though the film was not a financial failure, it did not perform to Toho's expectations, causing them to place the series on a brief two-year hiatus and elect to bring back [[King Ghidorah]] for the next film.
==Reception==
''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' is generally a favorite among Godzilla fans.
Ed Godziszewski of Monster Zero said the film is "by no means a classic" but felt that "for the first time in well over 20 years, a [Godzilla] script is presented with some fresh, original ideas and themes." Joseph Savitski of Beyond Hollywood said the film's music is "a major detraction," but added that it's "not only one of the most imaginative films in the series, but also the most enjoyable to watch." Japan Hero said, "this is definitely a Godzilla movie not to be missed."
==Awards==
==Awards==
Actor Masanobu Takashima won a Newcomer of the Year Award from the Japan Academy Awards for his portrayal of both [[Sho Kuroki]] in ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' and Masato Togura in ''Yamada Babaa ni Hanataba O''.<ref name="IMDb">[http://http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000372/1991 Awards of the Japanese Academy (1991)]</ref>
Actor Masanobu Takashima won a Newcomer of the Year Award from the Japan Academy Awards for his portrayal of both [[Sho Kuroki]] in ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' and Masato Togura in ''Yamada Babaa ni Hanataba O''.<ref name="IMDb">[http://http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000372/1991 Awards of the Japanese Academy (1991)]</ref>
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| Newcomer of the Year
| Newcomer of the Year
| Masanobu Takashima
| Masanobu Takashima
| Won
| {{Award|Won}}
|}
|}
==Video Releases==
==Video releases==
'''[[Toho Company Ltd.|Toho]]''' DVD (2002)
'''[[Toho]]''' DVD (2002)
*Region: 2
*Region: 2
*Audio: Japanese
*Discs: 1
*Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono, 5.1 Surround)
*Subtitles: Japanese
*Special Features: Audio commentary by writer/director [[Kazuki Omori]] and special effects director [[Koichi Kawakita]], "The Making of ''Godzilla vs. Biollante''" featurette (50 minutes), four video commentaries on Biollante and the Super X-2, two teasers and two theatrical trailers, photo galleries
'''Universe''' DVD (2006)
'''Universe''' DVD (2006)
*Region: 3
*Region: 3
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*Audio: Japanese (2.0 Stereo) and Cantonese (2.0 Stereo)  
*Audio: Japanese (2.0 Stereo) and Cantonese (2.0 Stereo)  
*Special Features: None
*Special Features: None
*Notes: Includes subtitles in shaky English and simplified and traditional Chinese.<ref name="Toho Kingdom">[http://www.tohokingdom.com/dvd/region3/godzilla_vs_biollante_uni.html Godzilla vs. Biollante DVD review]</ref>
*Notes: Includes simplified and traditional Chinese subtitles.<ref name="Toho Kingdom">[http://www.tohokingdom.com/dvd/region3/godzilla_vs_biollante_uni.html Godzilla vs. Biollante DVD review]</ref> Out of print.
'''[[Toho Company Ltd.|Toho]]''' Blu-ray (2009)
'''[[Toho]]''' Blu-ray (2009)
*Region: A/1
*Region: A/1
*Audio: Japanese
*Audio: Japanese
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*Audio: Japanese (5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo) and English (1.0 mono)
*Audio: Japanese (5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo) and English (1.0 mono)
*Special Features: Behind the scenes feature (50 minutes), Behind the Design featurette (3 minutes)
*Special Features: Behind the scenes feature (50 minutes), Behind the Design featurette (3 minutes)
*Notes: Both versions of the film use the same Japanese video track.
*Notes: Both versions of the film use the same Japanese video track. Reissued by Lionsgate in 2014. Both the Echo Bridge and Lionsgate releases are out of print.
==Novelizations==
A novelization of Shinichiro Kobayashi's original story for ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' is included in the 1993 publication ''Great Monster War (Monster Novel Complete Works II)'' from the Publishing Arts Company. In Kobayashi's initial story, key elements from the final film such as the [[Super X2]], [[Miki Saegusa]], and the [[Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria]] are not present. [[Genshiro Shiragami|Dr. Shiragami]] creates a synthetic rat-fish hybrid called [[Deutalios]] while in the process of creating [[Biollante]]. Deutalios escapes Shiragami's lab and grows to gigantic size, then proceeds to attack nearby ships out at sea. While battling the [[JSDF]], Deutalios is confronted by [[Godzilla/Heisei|Godzilla]]. The hybrid kaiju tries to escape onto land, but becomes weakened when out of water. Godzilla pursues Deutalios and finally kills it, then eats its corpse. A rough sketch of Deutalios by Kobayashi is included in the novelization.


A novelization of the story of the completed film was also published by [[Kadokawa]]. While it was developed alongside the movie, it itself contains many original elements. The [[Super X2]] is codenamed the "Angler," and is equipped with a laser cannon instead of the Fire Mirror. Biollante possesses a heat ray in this novelization. Finally, neither Shiragami nor [[Goro Gondo]] are killed in the novelization.
==Manga Adaptations==
''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' received two different manga adaptations. The first, illustrated by Tatsuyoshi Kobayashi and published by [[Shogakukan]], is a mostly faithful adaptation of the film. The battle between [[Godzilla/Heisei|Godzilla]] and [[Biollante]] at [[Lake Ashi]] plays out somewhat differently, while earlier Biollante's Flower Beast Form kills a human on a boat by crushing him in one of her mouthed vines. The most radical departure is the manga's ending, which utilizes a scrapped sequence considered for the film itself where Biollante finishes off Godzilla after he collapses from the [[Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria]]. Once the ANEB finally takes effect, Godzilla attempts to fire his atomic breath at Biollante, only for it to fail. He tries to retreat before finally collapsing to the ground. Rather than retreat, Biollante approaches Godzilla before breaking apart into energy spores and flowing into his body, taking the form of a gigantic rose bud surrounding him. As Biollante's essence flows away from Godzilla's lifeless body, [[Erika Shiragami|Erika's]] face becomes visible in the sky, with [[Miki Saegusa]] reporting that Biollante says "thank you." Despite seemingly perishing, Godzilla revives shortly afterward and wades out to sea, just as he does in the film itself.
A different manga adaptation titled ''Godzilla 1990'' was illustrated by Toshihiro Hirano and published by [[Kadokawa]]. In this adaptation, the [[Super X2]]'s design is drastically different, while Godzilla and Biollante's final battle takes place in [[Osaka]] rather than Wakasa Bay.
==Videos==
==Videos==
===Trailers===
===Trailers===
{{Videos|
{{Videos|
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">7ZK5Dy7seuk</youtube>|''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' Japanese trailer}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">ZypCEzH9OKk</youtube>|''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' Japanese trailer}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">h1n5GhVOKDc</youtube>|''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' Japanese trailers}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">A6zgl3wATaQ</youtube>|''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' Japanese newsflash/special announcements}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">g-Nplw_LmdA</youtube>|Japanese TV spot #1}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">q2ouk3TL_lQ</youtube>|Japanese TV spot #2}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">6rijRpJjAZg</youtube>|''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' German video trailer}}
}}
===Miscellaneous===
{{Videos|
{{vid|<dailymotion width="300" height="169">x6fhisi</dailymotion>|English export opening credits}}
{{vid|<dailymotion width="300" height="169">x6fhllz</dailymotion>|English export ending credits}}
{{vid|<dailymotion width="300" height="169">x6fhi1y</dailymotion>|Textless opening}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">KT5ZPT0DeDY</youtube>|Textless ending}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">bZsPnnzJrZg</youtube>|English visuals from the export version}}
}}
}}
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*While it is the second entry in the [[Heisei era|Heisei series]] of [[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla]] films, ''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' was the first Godzilla film to actually be released during [[Japan]]'s political Heisei period.
*The [[Oxygen Destroyer]] makes a cameo in this film - very briefly in [[Goro Gondo|Colonel Gondo]]'s office, the camera shot shows a statue of the [[KingGoji]] suit on the desk, and the Oxygen Destroyer is shown resting against the wall.
*The [[Oxygen Destroyer]] makes a cameo in this film - very briefly in [[Goro Gondo|Colonel Gondo]]'s office, the camera shot shows a statue of the [[KingGoji]] suit on the desk, and the Oxygen Destroyer is shown resting against the wall.
*Special effects director [[Koichi Kawakita]] experimented with cell animation and stop-motion for the final fight between [[Godzilla]] and [[Biollante]], but both sequences were discarded.
*Special effects director [[Koichi Kawakita]] experimented with cell animation and stop-motion for the final fight between [[Godzilla]] and [[Biollante]], but both sequences were discarded.
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*''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' received a PG rating from the MPAA for "traditional Godzilla violence."<ref name="MPAA">[http://www.filmratings.com/search.html?filmTitle=Godzilla+vs.+Biollante&x=0&y=0 Search Results]</ref> Ironically, it is one of the most violent films in the series.
*''Godzilla vs. Biollante'' received a PG rating from the MPAA for "traditional Godzilla violence."<ref name="MPAA">[http://www.filmratings.com/search.html?filmTitle=Godzilla+vs.+Biollante&x=0&y=0 Search Results]</ref> Ironically, it is one of the most violent films in the series.


==External Links==
==External links==
*[http://www.scified.com/news/when-roses-attack-25-years-of-godzilla-vs-biollante-with-ed-godziszewski Scified interview with Ed Godziszewski about the making of the film]
*[http://www.scified.com/news/when-roses-attack-25-years-of-godzilla-vs-biollante-with-ed-godziszewski Scified interview with Ed Godziszewski about the making of the film]
*[http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Godzilla_vs._Biollante List of firearms used in the movie]
*[http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Godzilla_vs._Biollante List of firearms used in the movie]
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Godzilla vs. Biollante}}
{{Kaiju Movies}}
{{Kaiju Movies}}
{{Comments}}
{{Era|TOH|HEI|FIL|GOD|BR|BIO|SX2}}
{{Era|TOH|HEI|FIL|GOD|BR|BIO|SX2}}
<seo metakeywords="godzilla vs biollante, gojira vs biorante, godzilla, biollante, heisei, vs series, 1989, godzilla vs biollante 1989, godzilla vs biollante film, godzilla vs biollante wiki, godzilla vs biollante wikizilla"/>
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[[de:Godzilla, der Urgigant]]
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[[Category:Heisei Films]]
[[Category:Heisei Films]]
[[Category:Heisei Godzilla Films]]
[[Category:Heisei Godzilla Films]]
[[Category:Films dubbed in Hong Kong]]

Revision as of 10:03, 26 January 2020

Article.png
Image gallery for Godzilla vs. Biollante
Credits for Godzilla vs. Biollante
Godzilla vs. Biollante soundtrack


Godzilla Films
The Return of Godzilla
Godzilla vs. Biollante
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
Godzilla vs. Biollante
See alternate titles
The Japanese poster for Godzilla vs. Biollante
Directed by Kazuki Omori
Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka
Written by Kazuki Omori, Shinichiro Kobayashi
Music by Koichi Sugiyama, Yuki Saito
Distributor TohoJP,
MiramaxUS
Rating PGUS
Budget ¥700,000,000
Box office ¥1,040,000,000[1]
Running time 104 minutes
(1 hour, 44 minutes)
Aspect ratio 1.85:1
Rate this film!
4.38
(77 votes)


A super Godzilla, (超ゴジラ)
it was born from Godzilla cells!
(それはゴジラ細胞から生まれた!)
„ 

— Tagline

The winner of this battle would be the most enormous enemy against human beings. (勝った方が人類最大の敵になる)
„ 

— Tagline[2]

Godzilla vs. Biollante (ゴジラVSビオランテ,   Gojira tai Biorante) is a 1989 tokusatsu kaiju film produced by Toho, and the seventeenth installment in the Godzilla series as well as the second in the Heisei series. The film was released to Japanese theaters on December 16, 1989.[3]

The first Godzilla film to be released during the actual political Heisei period of Japan, Godzilla vs. Biollante picks up directly where The Return of Godzilla left off. In the wake of Godzilla's attack on Tokyo, his cells have become a coveted scientific resource, with governments and the terrorist organization Bio-Major fighting over them. Five years later, Dr. Genshiro Shiragami uses a sample of G-Cells to try and preserve his deceased daughter's cells within a rose, unintentionally creating the hybrid kaiju Biollante. In addition, a botched terrorist ransoming by Bio-Major results in Godzilla being released from his prison within Mount Mihara. As the JSDF prepares to fight back against Godzilla with its new array of weaponry, Godzilla converges on Biollante's location at Lake Ashi, setting up a battle in which the winner will be humanity's biggest enemy.

Plot

In 1984, a scientific team picks through the ruins of Tokyo, searching for tissue samples left behind by the monster Godzilla following his rampage there only a few hours earlier. The creature had returned after 30 years, and had reduced Tokyo to rubble. After destroying the JSDF's Super X, the monster had been lured to Mount Mihara, where an eruption had been triggered that sealed the titan within the volcano. The scientific team soon find what they are looking for, but as they continue to search, a team of American paramilitary soldiers working for a United States-based genetics research company called Bio-Major ambushes them and steals the cell samples. As they flee with their prize, they are ambushed themselves by a lone mercenary, who kills the commandos and steals the cells back. The mysterious man, a killer known only as SSS9, then takes the cells to the Republic of Saradia, an OPEC nation in the Middle East, where Japanese geneticist Genshiro Shiragami and his daughter Erika take charge of them. Shiragami is working with the Saradian government on a project to genetically breed a new species of plant capable of living in the arid Saradian deserts. This, the government hopes, will gradually take the country away from relying only on oil exports for profit, and will hopefully make them the world's largest grain exporter. However, before this can become a reality, the lab where the Godzilla cells are being stored is bombed by Bio-Major agents, and the cells are destroyed. Erika is killed in the blast, and the distraught scientist returns to Japan, unwilling to continue his research.

Over five years later, in 1990, Japan has, for the most part, recovered from Godzilla's attack. Shiagami lives in solitude in a laboratory on the shores of Lake Ashi, and has kept Erika's keep-sake roses alive for all this time, and has even spliced her genes into the plants in hopes that she might continue to live within them. After five years of wondering if this is even possible, he calls the Japanese Psyonics Research Center, who sends Miki Saegusa to test the roses for psychic energy. Miki, only seventeen years old, is an incredibly gifted psychic, and as she analyzes the roses, she can hear the voice of a girl calling the name of Asuka Okouchi, a former friend of Erika who accompanied Miki to Shiragami's lab. As the two women leave, they do not know that they are being watched. In the trees rests a truck, and from the window two Bio-Major agents, John Lee and Michael Low, look on. As it turns out, they have been watching Shiragami for several years. Little do they know that they too are under surveillance. Behind them, the Saradian agent that stole the Godzilla cells in 1984 watches in silence.

Asuka Okouchi is the daughter of Seido Okochi, founder and head of the Okochi Foundation, a genetic research institute. Her boyfriend, Kazuhito Kirishima, is a geneticist as well, but has recently become very concerned with the ethics of his work. He believes that if the scientists are not careful, they may create something terrible, something never intended to exist on the planet Earth. He fears that Okouchi's view of science, that being a way to gain power and money, goes against what science is really all about. However, as he is dating Okouchi's daughter and his lab is funded by the Okouchi Foundation, there is little he can do to voice his opinions.

Meanwhile, a small eruption at Mt. Mihara begins to worry the Japanese government. Godzilla has remained interred within the mountain for the last five years, and it is now becoming clear that the creature is stirring within. The Japanese begin their planning for the monster's return, and prepare several defenses. Lt. Sho Kuroki of the JSDF, along with Goro Gondo of the National Land Bureau's Godzilla Unit, begin to organize and prepare. The JSDF has constructed the Super X2, a vastly improved version of the machine that fought Godzilla in 1984. The machine is now semi-aquatic, capable of functioning under water, and now features a vast array of weapons. The new mech also possesses a "Fire Mirror," a gigantic lens composed of synthetic diamond capable of deflecting Godzilla's atomic ray back at him at over one thousand times the force. The government also has another trick up their sleeves: they are planning to develop a biological weapon called the Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria (ANEB). The bacteria, designed to break down nuclear energy, was originally intended to clean up atomic waste. However, as the bacteria eats nuclear material, it could, theoretically, be used against Godzilla, who feeds off nuclear energy. However, the ANEB cannot be created without Godzilla cells. As it turns out, the cells of the King of the Monsters contain a special set of nuclear-eating genes that are used to allow the creature to derive energy from nuclear materials. These genes are needed to make the ANEB, and much like snake venom can be used to create an antidote for snake poisoning, it is believed that the G-cells can be used to create a bacteria that can poison and kill Godzilla himself. A group of cells recovered in 1984 are now stored at the Okouchi Foundation, safe from terrorists such as the Bio-Major agents. Kirishima and Kuroki attempt to lobby Dr. Shiragami to join the project, but he flatly refuses. He blames the G-cells for his daughter's death five years earlier, and has no intention of getting involved with them again.

Several days later, Mt. Mihara erupts, spewing lava all across Izu Oshima. The resulting earthquakes hit Japan are felt as far away as Shiragami's lab. The earthquake damages the terrarium containing Erika's roses. Fearing that Erika may die if the roses perish, he formulates a plan. He joins the ANEB project, but only on one condition: he is to keep the Godzilla cells for the one week until the project begins. On a dark and stormy night, Shiragami sits alone in his lab. Before him lie several rose petals and the Godzilla cells. Under his microscope, he carefully isolates one G-cell and one cell from the rose, and then, ever so carefully, combines the two together. Now, he hopes, his daughter will live forever in a plant given the regenerative properties of Godzilla himself.

Several days later, Bio-Major's agents break into Shiragami's lab. Unbeknownst to them, SSS9 also breaks in. When the thieves and the assassin catch each other, a gunfight ensues. It is interrupted by an attack of a giant, mobile plant that kills Low and attacks SSS9. Lee flees, while the assassin barely escapes from the plant's grasp. They do not realize that they have just encountered the result of Dr. Shiragami's secret experiments. The next morning a giant flower is seen in Lake Ashi, and Dr. Shiragami confesses that he combined the DNA of roses with Godzilla cells, believing he had created an immortal plant species. Furthermore, he confesses to Asuka, Miki and Kirishima that in a fit of desperate grief, he added Erika's DNA to the mutated genetic structure, so that some of the creature is composed of Erika as well. He names his creation Biollante, after a plant spirit from Norse mythology. Miki remarks that she can hear Erika's spirit inside Biollante, crying out in fear.

Meanwhile, Bio-Major anonymously sends a letter to the Diet of Japan, informing them that they have planted several bombs inside Mt. Mihara. If the Anti-Nuclear Bacteria is not handed over, the company threatens to detonate the bombs and release Godzilla. With the country held hostage, the Diet is forced to comply, sending Colonel Gondo and Dr. Kirishima to hand over the ANEB to Bio-Major's agent John Lee. However, the exchange is interrupted when SSS9 opens fire on them before the explosives can be disarmed. Lee tries to drive away in his truck, but is killed by a sniper bullet to the head, causing the truck to be overturned. SSS9 retrieves the ANEB and escapes, while Gondo and Kirishima are unable to disarm the explosives. Godzilla is released as Mt. Mihara erupts. Upon hearing Godzilla's roar, Biollante's blossom opens, and the monstrous plant begins calling out to Godzilla. Miki remarks that Erika's spirit is seemingly no longer in control of Biollante, leaving the creature a violent monster that is part Godzilla and part rose. With Godzilla's destination made clear, the JSDF, under the leadership of Sho Kuroki, prepare their strategies for dealing with the King of the Monsters. The Super X2 is deployed against Godzilla in the ocean, and though it at first seems effective in combating Godzilla, it is eventually overwhelmed by Godzilla's atomic breath, and is forced to retreat. After the battle, Godzilla comes ashore in Japan and approaches Lake Ashi, where Biollante is rooted. Shiragami wonders if Godzilla came all this way to see Biollante because he knew they were made from the same cells. As Godzilla stares at the monstrous plant, Biollante panics and attacks him, and a huge battle ensues, and briefly it appears that there is a stalemate. However, Godzilla seemingly defeats Biollante by burning her alive with his atomic breath, only for it to be revealed that Biollante is immortal as she escapes by dissolving into spores that float into outer space. Victorious for now and running low on nuclear energy following his last two battles, Godzilla heads towards the nearest operational nuclear reactor, which is located in Tsuruga, on the other side of the country. The military is sent out to meet Godzilla at Ise Bay. However, Godzilla unexpectedly surfaces in Osaka Bay, avoiding a confrontation with the JSDF. Miki tries to help, attempting to make Godzilla turn away from Osaka using her psychic abilities. Her efforts distract Godzilla momentarily, but the force of Godzilla's will and his psychic brainpower overwhelms her, causing her to faint. A plan is put into action, involving infecting Godzilla with the ANEB, which was retrieved by Gondo and Kirishima from the Saradia Oil Corporation's Osaka office. Kuroki sends the still-damaged Super X2 to distract Godzilla while Gondo and his team prepare rockets loaded with ANEB. Godzilla destroys the craft with a blast of atomic breath, but Gondo and his team manage to get in position. Godzilla is infected with three rockets, including one fired directly into his mouth, but he kills Gondo and continues on, seemingly unaffected by the ANEB.

The failure of the bacteria to work is attributed to Godzilla's low body temperature, which keeps the bacteria in a near-dormant state. If Godzilla can be heated, Shiragami theorizes, then the ANEB should work. The JSDF develops another plan: force Godzilla onto a field of microwave-emitting plates during an artificial thunderstorm, where he will be heated by the microwaves and a unit of MBT-MB92 Maser Cannons. The operation begins, and while Godzilla does briefly seem to weaken, he easily destroys the JSDF's forces. Just as everything seems lost, a low rumble is heard and Biollante's spores rain down from the sky. Suddenly, Biollante's gigantic evolved form emerges from the ground, obliterating the JSDF's remaining forces. Biollante attacks Godzilla and this time has the advantage. She stabs Godzilla with her spear-tipped tendrils and spits corrosive sap onto him. When Biollante attempts to bite down on Godzilla's head, he fires his atomic breath directly into her mouth, causing it to explode out the back of her head. Godzilla then begins to be affected by the ANEB, due to Biollante's corrosive sap raising his temperature. Godzilla tries to walk away but collapses headfirst into the ocean. With Godzilla temporarily knocked out, Biollante dissolves into spores and escapes into space again. As the monster's essence floats upwards, Dr. Shiragami sees the image of his daughter among the spores. Miki says that Biollante had told them "Thank you" as she floated into the atmosphere. Calling out to his daughter, Shiragami walks forward and is shot and killed by SSS9, who was ordered by his government to kill Shiragami now that the cells were lost. Dr. Kirishima chases the agent and fights him. The agent is at a disadvantage until he is able to grab his weapon again. The Saradian agent attempts to kill Kirishima, but Major Kuroki activates an artificial lightning generator that SSS9 is standing on, disintegrating him. Kirishima and Asuka celebrate their victory when Godzilla suddenly rises, his body temperature lowered by the water. However, Godzilla simply swims away, leaving Japan safe for the time being. Kirishima and Asuka leave together in Kirishima's car. The body of Dr. Shiragami is placed inside a tent, Dr. Okouchi briefly mourning him before leaving. Erika is heard to briefly comment on the recent events. Godzilla is seen swimming away, while Biollante is visible as a giant rose floating near the Earth in outer space.

Staff

Main article: Godzilla vs. Biollante/Credits.

Staff role on the left, staff member's name on the right.

  • Directed by   Kazuki Omori
  • Written by   Kazuki Omori, Shinichiro Kobayashi
  • Produced by   Tomoyuki Tanaka
  • Music by   Koichi Sugiyama, Yuki Saito
  • Stock music by   Akira Ifukube
  • Cinematography by   Yudai Kato
  • Edited by   Michiko Ikeda
  • Production design by   Juichi Ikuno, Shigekazu Ikuno
  • Assistant directors   Kazuhiko Fukami, Hideyuki Inoue, Hiroshi Kubo
  • Director of special effects   Koichi Kawakita

Cast

Main article: Godzilla vs. Biollante/Credits.

Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.

  • Kunihiko Mitamura   as   Dr. Kazuhito Kirishima
  • Yoshiko Tanaka   as   Asuka Okouchi
  • Masanobu Takashima   as   Major Sho Kuroki
  • Megumi Odaka   as   Miki Saegusa
  • Toru Minegishi   as   Colonel Goro Gondo
  • Ryunosuke Kaneda   as   Seigo Okouchi, Head of the Okouchi Foundation
  • Koji Takahashi   as   Dr. Genshiro Shiragami
  • Manjot Bedi   as   SSS9
  • Koichi Ueda   as   Ground SDF Chief of Staff
  • Kosuke Toyohara   as   Osamu Amezawa
  • Kyoko Suzuki   as   Hiromi Kawai
  • Takashi Hunt   as   Bio-Major Agent John Lee
  • Derrick Holmes   as   Bio-Major Agent Michael Low
  • Kazuma Matsubara   as   JSDF Soldier
  • Hiroshi Inoue   as   JSDF Soldier
  • Hiroto Yoshimitsu   as   JSDF Soldier
  • Yoshiharu Yamada   as   JSDF Soldier
  • Tetsu Kawai   as   JSDF Soldier
  • Yasunori Yumeiie   as   JSDF Soldier
  • Shin Tatsuma   as   Director General Akiyama
  • Shu Minagawa   as   Strategy Team Member
  • Masahiko Sakata   as   Strategy Team Member
  • Kazuma Matsuoka   as   Strategy Team Member
  • Soleiman Mehdizadeh   as   Sirhan, Saradia Oil Corporation Japan Branch Manager
  • Abdallah Helal   as   Researcher
  • Kurt Cramer   as   Commando
  • Brien Uhl   as   Commando
  • Robert Corner   as   Commando
  • Koumi Kuroiwa   as   Nurse at Osaka Chisato Central Hospital
  • Beth Blatt   as   CCN Reporter Susan Horn
  • Yasuko Sawaguchi   as   Erika Shiragami
  • Toshiyuki Nagashima   as   Seiichi Yamamoto
  • Yoshiko Kuga   as   Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiko Owada
  • Hirohisa Nakata   as   Defense Minister Minoru Oyama
  • Katsuhiko Sasaki   as   Director of Science and Technology Research Takeda
  • Kenzo Hagiwara   as   Takeo Shimura
  • Kazuyuki Senba   as   Maritime SDF Chief of Staff
  • Koji Yamanaka   as   Air SDF Chief of Staff
  • Aijdin Yamanlar   as   Abdul Zalman, Director of the Saradia Biotechnology Institute
  • Kenpachiro Satsuma   as   Godzilla
  • Takegami Akio   as   Biollante (1st form)
  • Shigeru Shibasaki, Yoshitaka Kimura   as   Biollante (2nd form)
  • Haruko Sagara   as   TNN TV Reporter
  • Hiromi Matsukana   as   Breaking Newscaster
  • Isao Takeno   as   Super X2 Maintenance Chief
  • Demon Kogure   as   Himself
  • Kazuki Omori   as   Doctor at Osaka Chisato Central Hospital (uncredited)

International English dub

Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.

  • Chris Hilton   as   Dr. Kazuhito Kirishima
  • Suzanne Vale   as   Asuka Okouchi / Breaking Newscaster
  • Rik Thomas   as   Colonel Goro Gondo
  • Warren Rooke   as   Dr. Genshiro Shiragami
  • Simon Broad   as   Seigo Okouchi / Abdul Zalman / Osamu Amezawa / Demon Kogure

Appearances

Monsters

Weapons, vehicles, and races

Production

Godzilla vs. Biollante began as a winner of a contest by Toho. The concept was created by Shinichiro Kobayashi, a dentist, though his script was widely different from the final film. The few parts that remained were Erika's death, Biollante's creation, a psychic girl, and for the most part, the ending. This first draft also had Dr. Shiragami create a rat-fish hybrid monster named Deutalios who was quickly killed by Godzilla. This was cut and replaced by Godzilla's battles with Biollante's rose stage and the Super X2. In another ending, Biollante begins to lose and makes a final attempt to kill Godzilla by turning into a wave of pure energy which Godzilla would absorb.

Gallery

Main article: Godzilla vs. Biollante/Gallery.

Soundtrack

Main article: Godzilla vs. Biollante (Soundtrack).

Alternate titles

  • Big Dinosaurs (大恐龍; Taiwan)
  • Godzilla, the Ancient Giant (Godzilla, Der Urgigant; Germany)
  • Godzilla 1990 (1990ก็อตซิลลา; Thailand)
  • Godzilla 2 (Mexico)
  • Godzilla Counterattacks (Godzilla contra-ataca; Portugal)

Theatrical releases

View all posters for the film here.

  • Japan - December 16, 1989[3]   [view poster]Japanese poster
  • Thailand   [view poster]Thai poster
  • Taiwan - January 26, 1990   [view poster]Taiwanese poster

U.S. release

American Godzilla vs. Biollante VHS cover

After Godzilla vs. Biollante was released in Japan, Toho commissioned a Hong Kong-based company called Omni Productions to dub the film into English for their international version. In early 1990, Toho entered discussions with Miramax to distribute the film. When talks broke off, Toho filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Federal Court, accusing Miramax of entering an oral agreement in June to pay Toho $500,000 to distribute the film. This lawsuit delayed the film's release for two years. An out of court settlement was reached with Miramax buying the rights to the film for an unreported figure. While Miramax had entertained thoughts of releasing the film in theaters, but in the end it was decided to release the film straight to home video instead. HBO released the film on VHS in 1992 and Laserdisc in 1993. Miramax utilized the uncut English international version of the film for this release. The international version of the film was released on video in the United States by HBO Video in association with Miramax via Dimension Studios on November 25, 1992. The film was released on laserdisc the next year. Godzilla vs. Biollante was released on DVD and Blu-ray disc in North America by Echo Bridge Entertainment through Miramax on December 4, 2012.

Godzilla vs. Biollante was the last new Godzilla film to receive a release in the United States until TriStar Pictures released Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah and Godzilla vs. Mothra on VHS in 1998. Godzilla vs. Biollante was also the last Toho Godzilla film to receive its own international English-language title card. For every film since, Toho has elected to simply digitally superimpose the international title over the Japanese title card (except in the case of Godzilla: Final Wars, whose original title card is in English).

Box office

Godzilla vs. Biollante had a budget of ¥700,000,000, or $5,000,000. When the film opened in Japan on December 16, 1989, it sold 2,000,000 tickets, earning ¥1,040,000,000, or roughly $7,000,000. Though the film was not a financial failure, it did not perform to Toho's expectations, causing them to place the series on a brief two-year hiatus and elect to bring back King Ghidorah for the next film.

Awards

Actor Masanobu Takashima won a Newcomer of the Year Award from the Japan Academy Awards for his portrayal of both Sho Kuroki in Godzilla vs. Biollante and Masato Togura in Yamada Babaa ni Hanataba O.[4]

Award Category Recipient(s) Result
14th Japan Academy Awards[5] Newcomer of the Year Masanobu Takashima Won

Video releases

Toho DVD (2002)

  • Region: 2
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono, 5.1 Surround)
  • Subtitles: Japanese
  • Special Features: Audio commentary by writer/director Kazuki Omori and special effects director Koichi Kawakita, "The Making of Godzilla vs. Biollante" featurette (50 minutes), four video commentaries on Biollante and the Super X-2, two teasers and two theatrical trailers, photo galleries

Universe DVD (2006)

  • Region: 3
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: Japanese (2.0 Stereo) and Cantonese (2.0 Stereo)
  • Special Features: None
  • Notes: Includes simplified and traditional Chinese subtitles.[6] Out of print.

Toho Blu-ray (2009)

  • Region: A/1
  • Audio: Japanese

Echo Bridge DVD/Blu-ray (2012)[7]

  • Region: 1 (DVD) or A/1 (Blu-ray)
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: Japanese (5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo) and English (1.0 mono)
  • Special Features: Behind the scenes feature (50 minutes), Behind the Design featurette (3 minutes)
  • Notes: Both versions of the film use the same Japanese video track. Reissued by Lionsgate in 2014. Both the Echo Bridge and Lionsgate releases are out of print.

Novelizations

A novelization of Shinichiro Kobayashi's original story for Godzilla vs. Biollante is included in the 1993 publication Great Monster War (Monster Novel Complete Works II) from the Publishing Arts Company. In Kobayashi's initial story, key elements from the final film such as the Super X2, Miki Saegusa, and the Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria are not present. Dr. Shiragami creates a synthetic rat-fish hybrid called Deutalios while in the process of creating Biollante. Deutalios escapes Shiragami's lab and grows to gigantic size, then proceeds to attack nearby ships out at sea. While battling the JSDF, Deutalios is confronted by Godzilla. The hybrid kaiju tries to escape onto land, but becomes weakened when out of water. Godzilla pursues Deutalios and finally kills it, then eats its corpse. A rough sketch of Deutalios by Kobayashi is included in the novelization.

A novelization of the story of the completed film was also published by Kadokawa. While it was developed alongside the movie, it itself contains many original elements. The Super X2 is codenamed the "Angler," and is equipped with a laser cannon instead of the Fire Mirror. Biollante possesses a heat ray in this novelization. Finally, neither Shiragami nor Goro Gondo are killed in the novelization.

Manga Adaptations

Godzilla vs. Biollante received two different manga adaptations. The first, illustrated by Tatsuyoshi Kobayashi and published by Shogakukan, is a mostly faithful adaptation of the film. The battle between Godzilla and Biollante at Lake Ashi plays out somewhat differently, while earlier Biollante's Flower Beast Form kills a human on a boat by crushing him in one of her mouthed vines. The most radical departure is the manga's ending, which utilizes a scrapped sequence considered for the film itself where Biollante finishes off Godzilla after he collapses from the Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria. Once the ANEB finally takes effect, Godzilla attempts to fire his atomic breath at Biollante, only for it to fail. He tries to retreat before finally collapsing to the ground. Rather than retreat, Biollante approaches Godzilla before breaking apart into energy spores and flowing into his body, taking the form of a gigantic rose bud surrounding him. As Biollante's essence flows away from Godzilla's lifeless body, Erika's face becomes visible in the sky, with Miki Saegusa reporting that Biollante says "thank you." Despite seemingly perishing, Godzilla revives shortly afterward and wades out to sea, just as he does in the film itself.

A different manga adaptation titled Godzilla 1990 was illustrated by Toshihiro Hirano and published by Kadokawa. In this adaptation, the Super X2's design is drastically different, while Godzilla and Biollante's final battle takes place in Osaka rather than Wakasa Bay.

Videos

Trailers

Godzilla vs. Biollante Japanese trailer
Godzilla vs. Biollante Japanese newsflash/special announcements
Japanese TV spot #1
Japanese TV spot #2
Godzilla vs. Biollante German video trailer

Miscellaneous

English export opening credits
English export ending credits
Textless opening
Textless ending
English visuals from the export version

Trivia

  • While it is the second entry in the Heisei series of Godzilla films, Godzilla vs. Biollante was the first Godzilla film to actually be released during Japan's political Heisei period.
  • The Oxygen Destroyer makes a cameo in this film - very briefly in Colonel Gondo's office, the camera shot shows a statue of the KingGoji suit on the desk, and the Oxygen Destroyer is shown resting against the wall.
  • Special effects director Koichi Kawakita experimented with cell animation and stop-motion for the final fight between Godzilla and Biollante, but both sequences were discarded.
  • On March 17, 1992, as pre-production work was under way on Godzilla vs. Mothra, someone sneaked into Toho's special effects department and stole one of the two BioGoji Godzilla suits that was used in both Godzilla vs. Biollante and Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, and which was slated to be used in the new film as well. A "Godzilla hunt" was launched for the stolen costume, valued at about $371,000, and it ended when an elderly woman found it in a bamboo patch in the suburbs about a week later (reported in The Hollywood Reporter, March 26, 1992). While the costume was missing, Koichi Kawakita's staff began work on a new one, BatoGoji.
  • This is the first Godzilla film for actor Koichi Ueda, who would play a role in every Godzilla film afterward until Godzilla: Final Wars.
  • Godzilla vs. Biollante received a PG rating from the MPAA for "traditional Godzilla violence."[8] Ironically, it is one of the most violent films in the series.

External links

References

This is a list of references for Godzilla vs. Biollante. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]

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