Episode 34 - Godzilla vs Destoroyah (1995)

Explicit content warning

11/15/23 • 90 min

Castle Bravo: A Godzillaverse Retrospective

It's the end of an era, the end of several careers, and the end of more than a couple lives (not all of them fictional) as the Heisei period of Godzilla movies draws to a close. One of the most beloved entries in the franchise, Godzilla vs Destoroyah ties the end to the beginning by centering the legacy of the Oxygen Destroyer, Dr Serizawa, and the Yamane family. Also, Crab Satan. Crab Satan is pretty cool.

For the first time, we're joined this week by not one but TWO guests (both returning from previous episodes): Godzilla megafan and SDGC cohost Justin aka Roboplato, and CPOV podcaster Case Aiken. The energy is so good.

Previous Episode

Episode 33 - Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla (1994)

And so we're back! From outer space! It's a moment we have been dreading as the Heisei era finally loses the plot. Godzilla vs Spacegodzilla is a fun spectacle, and basically an early Dragonball Z arc in Godzilla form, but it's a case study in how good filmmaking can't overcome basic structural script problems. Derek does a script rewrite live even, a Castle Bravo first (and hopefully a Castle Bravo last).

We're joined this week by podcaster, PR man, and fellow SDGC host Matthew Finneman. The timeline of these movies is getting a little too self-referential for newbies to keep up, but Finn is always ready to fire off a zinger.

This episode was recorded close to two months before publish date, but due to personal tragedy (mentioned at the beginning of the episode) it sat in the vault for a while before we could return to the show.

Next Episode

Episode 35 - Rebirth of Mothra (1996)

Godzilla is dead and signed over to Hollywood, but Toho still needs to make money, so they dusted off some old script ideas and set to make Mothra a solo star again. The first of a trilogy aimed much more squarely at kids and families, Rebirth of Mothra is often overlooked but not lacking in charm. Come for Mothra and a goth Ghidorah doing fighting game special moves, stay for an evil camp fairy icon.

We’re joined this week by two guests. First, returning from an earlier episode, Matt Storm from the CPOV network! Secondly, appearing for the first time, Jayson of JaysonDoesMusic! The two of them will be sticking with us for the entire Rebirth of Mothra trilogy, joining us at the altar of Belvera.