Diving into delirious realms of imagination, this second film of the Godzilla franchise’s 1980s resurgence showcased the towering beast for a new generation of fans. This time, Godzilla’s foe is one of the series’ most wondrously strange kaiju creations: Biollante—a mutant plant genetically engineered from the cells of a rose, a renegade scientist’s dead daughter, and Godzilla itself. With a wild plot encompassing spies, psychic children, and bonkers biotechnology—and some of the coolest special effects in the history of Japanese cinema—Godzilla vs. Biollante stands as a high point in the ever-evolving mythology of the King of the Monsters.
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Video Quality
The Criterion Collection presents Godzilla vs. Biollante with a lovely 2160p HDR10 transfer in its original 1.85:1 sourced from a 4K restoration of the 35mm Original Camera Negative conducted by Toho. The film was previously released over a decade ago on Blu-Ray in 2012 with an older scan by Echo Bridge, which we do not have for the sake of comparison. While we typically prefer Criterion to handle the restoration efforts, this is a huge property for Toho, and they make sure most elements hold up exquisitely.
The new HDR10 transfer is essentially SDR in an HDR container, but it still works well in terms of saturation. This is not the most vivid film on the market, but there are plenty of nuances to explore within the palette. The titular antagonist stands out as one of the most appealing aspects of the film, but you should not go in expecting a candy-colored spectacle. This presentation is more concerned with accuracy rather than a “pop” to the imagery. There is great care assigned to the handling of the contrast. The film controls the black levels very well as it never succumbs to crush or noise. Highlights likewise avoid blooming as whites radiate famously.
This transfer retains some natural film grain, but it appears certain moments may have been polished up a bit too aggressively. This disc rarely comes up short when it comes to fine detail, most notably in distinct elements of the production design and practical effects which reveal more minute facets than any previous presentation. There are elements of this presentation such as the numerous smoky or hazy environments that put the transfer to the test, but this encode mostly holds its own. Any minor moments of print damage such as nicks or scratches have also been eradicated. This transfer is a pretty great effort for fans of the classic monster thanks to the Criterion Collection.
Audio Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 5.0 Master Audio track remastered from the 35mm original soundtrack negative in the original Japanese. Some factions will be disappointed that the English dub that is a nostalgic part of many viewing experiences was unable to be included. Those who appreciate the original artistic intention will be happy to know the Japanese track sounds wonderful. There are no glaring instances of age-related wear and tear as the track holds up well. e
The dialogue emerges clearly with deft fidelity. Environmental sounds are brought to life with a respectable amount of power alongside everything else. The low end allows for a small bit of texture, but it is far from a standout given the setup and lack of dedicated sub channel. There is no threat of vital information not coming through. The score is used effectively to maintain the tone of the story, and this track allows it to sound truly great. The Criterion Collection has given this film a wonderful audio experience. There are optional English subtitles provided.
Special Features
The Criterion 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Godzilla vs. Biollante includes a foldout booklet featuring a poster of Biollante on one side and the essay “The Real Monsters” by author Jim Cirronella on the other which gives a rich analysis of the film. The on-disc special features are as follows:
- Audio Commentary: Film historian Samm Deighan, host of the podcast Eros + Massacre and coeditor of the book Revolution in 35mm, provides a commentary track that explores the ideas behind the narrative, how this film fits into the franchise, the changes in societal attitudes of the time, the performances, and much more.
- The Making of Godzilla vs. Biollante: A nearly 49-minute piece from 1993 in which the creative team explores the creation and development of the narrative, coming up with a formidable new antagonist, the design of the kaiju, and more. There are some great insights into how the characters evolved during the process and how everything turned out on screen.
- Behind The Design: A three-minute look at the various designs for Biollante and how the looks evolved.
- Deleted Special Effects: A seven-minute collection of silent footage that didn’t make it into the film.
- TV Spots (1:37)
- Trailers (9:18)
Final Thoughts
Godzilla vs. Biollante is a really fun outing early in the refreshed run of the iconic monster. If you have seen a number of these films, you begin to think that you can parse all of the magic ahead of time, but there are plenty of moments that make you feel alive. There is something to be praised for the practical way these entities are brought to life in such a satisfying manner. This is one of the better Godzilla films from this era. The Criterion Collection has delivered a new 4K UHD Blu-Ray that offers a strong A/V presentation and a welcome selection of new and archival special features. If you are a fan of the film, this is the best release yet. Recommended
The Criterion Collection edition of Godzilla vs. Biollante is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: The Criterion Collection has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
