MOTHRA (Steelbook): Japan's Wackiest Wascal

MOTHRA (1961)

Starring Frankie Sakai, Kyoko Kagawa, Hiroshi Koizumi, Ken Uehara, Jerry Ito, The Peanuts. Directed by Inoshiro Honda. (101 min [Japanese Version] / 90 min [English Version])

ON BLU-RAY FROM

MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😺

Everyone’s second-favorite Japanese giant is now on Blu-ray. And a steelbook, no less! That alone is probably enough to open the wallets of those who love Toho’s brand of titanic terror. If nothing else, this is a beautifully packaged release.

I hadn’t seen Mothra since I was a kid, when a local Portland TV station aired all kinds of monster mayhem on summer afternoons. My favorites were those that hailed from Japan because...well, what 10-year-old doesn’t love citywide destruction? Son of Godzilla notwithstanding, Mothra was the most conceptually-bonkers Toho film from the ‘60s. Revisiting it four decades later, my assessment remains unchanged, meaning it's still a gloriously goofy good time.

A common cause of flight delays in some parts of the world.

This edition also includes the original uncut Japanese version, running 11 minutes longer. Other than the original Gojira, this was the first time I’ve ever watched any subsequent Toho film in its original language, which renders it slightly less silly, since it allows the viewer to focus more on the actual story than the distracting and daffy dubbing.

Though the disc is relatively light on bonus features, both versions of the film have been nicely remastered and includes an interesting audio commentary (outlined below). The steelbook case & transparent slipcover creatively incorporate the Mothra’s original promotional artwork. One of Mill Creek Entertainment’s better specialty releases, this is a must-own for fans of Japanese monster movies.

EXTRA KIBBLES

ENGLISH & JAPANESE VERSIONS – Japanese cut runs 11 minutes longer.

AUDIO COMMENTARY – By Authors Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski

TRAILERS

PHOTO GALLERY – Promotional stills and artwork.

KITTY CONSENSUS:

PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS.