Godzilla vs Biollante (1989) Review | Godzilla Island Archive

Note: This review is from the 2013 Godzilla Island Archive opinions, views and info may be outdated and changed.

The Plot:

The movie opens immediately after the events of The Return of Godzilla. A science team is digging through rubble and discovers a sample of Godzilla's skin. As they pack it up for research, an assassin attacks and steals the sample, escaping the site.

The scene shifts to a science institute in the Middle East country of Saradia. Scientist Genshiro Shiragami is working on an experiment to create a self-rejuvenating plant capable of thriving in the desert. Shiragami is looking forward to returning home with his daughter Erika, but the base is attacked by terrorists, and Erika is lost in the explosion.

Five years later, Shiragami studies the psychic abilities of roses with a psychic named Miki. He is recruited by the Japanese government to help develop an Anti-Nuclear Bacteria designed to devour Godzilla’s radiation and kill him. The government also unveils the new Super X II, equipped with a synthetic diamond mirror intended to reflect Godzilla’s radioactive breath back at him.

Shiragami secretly conducts an experiment mixing Godzilla DNA with rose DNA and the last strand of his daughter Erika’s DNA, creating a plant named Biollante. When thieves break into his home to steal the Godzilla cells, they are killed by the plant’s vine-like extensions, but Biollante disappears. Soon, reports emerge of a massive creature in a nearby lake. Shiragami and Miki discover that the plant has grown to Godzilla-size.

Meanwhile, a terrorist organization threatens to detonate a volcano holding Godzilla unless Japan surrenders the Anti-Nuclear Bacteria. As they attempt to comply, the assassin kills the person holding the detonator, freeing Godzilla. Biollante begins calling to Godzilla, who makes his way toward the plant.

The military deploys the Super X II to confront Godzilla. At first, the diamond mirror proves effective, reflecting Godzilla’s radioactive breath back at him. But the constant attacks eventually melt the mirror, forcing the Super X II to retreat. Godzilla reaches Biollante, and the two engage in a battle. Godzilla’s atomic breath initially overpowers Biollante, who is destroyed, and the vapors rise into the atmosphere. Godzilla heads to Osaka to absorb nuclear energy, defying Miki’s psychic attempts to control him.

The Super X II launches a final barrage, but it fails and explodes. The Anti-Nuclear Bacteria is fired at Godzilla, but it initially has no effect due to his low body temperature. Shiragami and the military lure Godzilla onto a minefield equipped with microwave plates to heat him artificially. Suddenly, a larger, more lizard-like Biollante emerges from the ground. Godzilla and Biollante battle fiercely, with Biollante impaling Godzilla’s hand and attempting to swallow him. Godzilla counters with his atomic breath, delivering the final blow.

Injured but hot from the microwave plates, Godzilla collapses in the ocean. The Anti-Nuclear Bacteria takes effect, and Biollante’s remains dissipate as spores. Godzilla eventually recovers, returns to the ocean, and both Godzilla and Japan survive to fight another day.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed Godzilla vs Biollante, though not as much as The Return of Godzilla. The movie takes a long time to get to Godzilla, and the fights between Godzilla and Biollante are relatively short. Biollante is one of the scariest-looking Kaiju, and I would have loved to see a longer, more intense battle.

The film leaves Biollante’s story open-ended, suggesting a possible return, but that never happens. Despite the pacing, this movie contains some of the most visually impressive shots in any Godzilla film. The design of Biollante is striking, and the Kaiju action, when it happens, is spectacular. Overall, it’s a slow start but visually rewarding. Kaiju fans should check this one out.