The Futurians are accompanied by three 20th century advisors: Terasawa (author of a book on the origin of Godzilla), his associate Masaki (a dinosaur expert), and Miki Saegusa (the psychic girl introduced in the previous film, Godzilla vs. Biollante). Emi Kano (a Japanese woman from the future) and her assistant, Android M-11, lead the expedition. They arrive on Lagos Island in the South Pacific, circa 1944. The second World War rages on around them! They witness a dinosaur (Godzillasaurus, the future you-know-who) save the desperate Japanese soldiers from the advancing American forces. The Japanese commander, Major Shindo, regards the dinosaur as his savior. Shindo would survive the fighting on Lagos to rebuild Japan’s post-war economy as the head of a huge conglomerate.

Emi and M-11 teleport the injured dinosaur away, so that it will never be exposed to the Pacific H-bomb tests and mutate into Godzilla. However, Emi leaves behind three small creatures called “dorats.” Dorats are cute little flying animals created by 23rd century biotechnology. Exposed to massive radioactivity, the dorats combine and mutate into the three-headed flying dragon, King Ghidorah! Back in 1992, Terasawa and the others begin to expect a double-cross when Ghidorah appears and starts demolishing Japan!

Even Emi is uneasy with how effortlessly her comrades control the monster. She informs Terasawa that the Futurians’ true mission is to subjugate Japan in the past to prevent it from becoming the dominant world superpower in the future. Japan’s only hope is to turn to Mr. Shindo’s savior, and somehow revive Godzilla!

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah is one of the best films of the Heisei series. It has a fascinating plot, interesting characters, and it moves along at a quick pace. The time-travel scenario is full of holes and inconsistencies (for example, how do people remember Godzilla when he was supposedly erased from history?). However, the film’s core appeal is emotional rather than logical. It examines Godzilla’s dual role as both the scourge and savior of Japan. The character of Mr. Shindo (well played by Yoshio Tsuchiya, the Controller of Planet X from Invasion Of Astro-Monster) best illustrates this conflict. His final meeting with Godzilla is one of the most poignant moments in the entire Godzilla canon. As for the special effects, they’re a mixed bag. There are some silly effects involving M-11’s android antics. The scenes featuring the Godzillasaurus are clumsily executed, and the stiff Ghidorah prop used for some flying scenes looks straight out of Godzilla vs. Gigan. Godzilla himself has rarely looked better though; he’s buffed out and very expressive. The King Ghidorah suit is well done, and a real highlight is its future counterpart, Mecha-King Ghidorah. MKG’s first appearance is an homage to the original Ghidorah’s fiery birth in 1964. The miniatures and pyrotechnics are great. The monsters’ final showdown takes place among the towering skyscrapers of Shinjuku (Tokyo’s government and business district), a setting used to great effect. Overall, the monster battles are the best filmed up until that time. Logical flaws and uneven effects aside, GvKG is a fascinating series entry.

Grade: A-