The Return of Godzilla (1985) Review | Godzilla Island Archive

Note: This article is from the 2013 Godzilla Island archive all few and opinions may be outdated or since changed.

The Plot:

This movie starts out on a fishing boat during a storm. The boat drifts off course due to the strong current and nears an island, which suddenly explodes with a loud roar. The next day, a reporter sailing at sea spots the drifting fishing boat. Boarding it, he discovers many dead crew members and one fisherman frozen in shock, clutching a knife. As the reporter attempts to pry the knife away, a large beetle-like creature attacks. The fisherman regains his senses and kills the creature with a butcher’s knife. The fisherman explains that the island itself started moving and something massive killed his crew.

We then cut to Japan’s Prime Minister, who has been informed of the attack. It is assumed Godzilla is responsible. It has been 30 years since Godzilla’s last appearance, which caused billions in damage and a high death toll. The Prime Minister is hesitant to cause mass panic until confirming Godzilla’s return.

Meanwhile, a Russian submarine detects an unknown object heading towards them at high speed. Believing it to be a hostile submarine, the Russians fire torpedoes, but the object continues unabated. Attempts to evade fail, and massive claws grab the submarine, destroying it. Mistaking it for an American attack, Russia prepares for war, prompting the U.S. to do the same. With global tensions rising, the Japanese Prime Minister holds a press conference to reveal Godzilla’s return.

The Americans, Russians, and Japanese meet to devise a plan to stop Godzilla. While Russia and America push for nuclear weapons, Japan insists on alternative methods. A professor studying mutations teams up with the reporter to track Godzilla. During an attack on a nuclear power plant, Godzilla absorbs radiation as energy. Observing that birds guide Godzilla, the professor and reporter develop a plan using bird frequency to lead him to a volcano.

Japan’s defense force approves the plan and readies the Super X aircraft. Godzilla marches across Tokyo, destroying everything in his path. Unbeknownst to the forces, a Russian ship with a nuclear missile orbiting in space has launched its payload. A counter missile prevents catastrophe but creates a radioactive storm that energizes Godzilla, waking him fully. Godzilla attacks the Super X, causing massive system failures and forcing it to crash under a skyscraper.

The professor sets the frequency to lure Godzilla to a volcano. Godzilla arrives, and a controlled eruption traps him, finally neutralizing the threat. The world can rest at least for now.

My Thoughts:

The Return of Godzilla! An appropriate movie to mark Godzilla Island’s comeback. This has always been one of my favorite Godzilla films. Transitioning from the Showa series to this film is a big shift it reintroduces Godzilla as a force of nature rather than a hero, echoing the darkness of the original Godzilla 1954.

This movie doesn’t sugarcoat destruction. Humanity faces consequences, and there are no happy endings. That darkness makes Godzilla feel serious and menacing, a stark contrast to some of the lighter, more goofy Showa entries like Godzilla’s Revenge, All Monsters Attack, or Godzilla vs. Megalon. While I love those films, this one makes audiences reflect on humanity’s mistakes and the creature they unleashed.

I hope the 2014 Godzilla film captures this same tone. Thank you for reading, and don’t forget to celebrate Godzilla’s birthday maybe we’ll see a 2014 trailer then!