INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER is a fun addition to the Gojira franchise, although not comparable to the most entertaining of the series like DESTROY ALL MONSTERS or EBIRAH, HORROR OF THE DEEP. This one's more of a science fiction story in which astronauts negotiate with an alien race based on a previously unknown moon of Jupiter known as Planet X.
Back in the day when the Syfy Channel would host the annual Godzilla movie marathon, AMC TV decided to do the same and host the Classic Media Collection of Godzilla films. I was lucky enough to catch Godzilla vs Monster Zero on TV one night.
The year before this came out, we got introduced to the villain of this and to the "Partner" Godzilla has in here too. Unwilling of course, but hey - we'll take what we get.
Once again, Planet Zero can't be trusted. After renting Godzilla and Rodan to get rid of Ghidrah, they turn on the earth.
In many ways, IOAM is a superior follow up to it's predecessor. It has the feel of a classic pulp space adventure mixed in with fun and entertaining monster action.
1965's "Invasion of Astro-Monster" ("Kaiju Daisenso" or The Giant Monster War in Japan) came 6th in Toho's Godzilla series, adding the Hollywood star power of Nick Adams to the mix (after debuting in "Frankenstein Conquers the World"), but having to wait for Maron Films to issue the picture stateside in 1970, paired with the Frankenstein sequel "The War of the Gargantuas," Russ Tamblyn deputizing for Adams in the latter. Previous entry "Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster" introduced the winged alien dragon shooting lethal rays, combining Godzilla, Rodan (its first appearance since its 1956 debut), and Mothra (third appearance) to send him back into the cosmos like a coward.
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In many ways, IOAM is a superior follow up to it's predecessor. It has the feel of a classic pulp space adventure mixed in with fun and entertaining monster action.
