YMMV / Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.

• Alternate Character Interpretation: In the previous film, Kiryu goes on a rampage after remembering his previous life as Godzilla. In this film, it appears Godzilla refuses to kill his own kin and wishes to literally rest in peace. It helps that Kiryu assists Yoshito in escaping just before he sinks into Tokyo Bay.
• Awesome Music: Michiru Oshima’s version of Mothra’s song, which is a beautifully composed and wonderfully sung take on the classic theme.
• Continuity Lockout: This movie makes direct references to the 1961 film Mothra, with the character Chūjō returning and the events of that film being explicitly referenced.
• Replacement Scrappy: Somewhat, people liked that the main protagonist, Yoshito, wasn't yet another fighting pilot but on a less focused role: repair and support. Nonetheless, people were disappointed that Akane was Put on a Bus since they felt there was more for her character after Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla.
• So Okay, It's Average: The general consensus, it’s a decent movie in its own right, but it’s mostly seen as a rehash of the previous film but with Mothra shoehorned in.
  • Or even a remake of Mothra vs. Godzilla with Mechagodzilla shoehorned in.
• Strawman Has a Point: We're meant to side against the Japanese government and take up the Shobijin's offer of having Mothra defend Tokyo. But truthfully, this would mean inviting another Kaiju to come to Tokyo (one who had attacked the city previously, no less), when they already have a rather large, scaly one who drops by on a regular basis, while at the same time getting rid of the only weapon seen to be able to consistently deal with Godzilla. And then when Mothra does show up she friggin' dies leaving Mechagodzilla to do cleanup anyway. Their response (telling the Shobijin to shove it) is rather understandable.
• Tearjerker: Mothra’s death is gripping for viewers, especially when she died protecting her two offspring.
• They Wasted a Perfectly Good Character: Many wished that the film focused on Akane as the post-credit sequence in the last film built up a bigger role for her in the next film, only to be Put on the Bus in favor of the still likable, but not as interesting Yoshito.
• They Wasted a Perfectly Good Plot: The final scene with a cabinet full of kaiju DNA, just waiting to be cloned, altered, mutated...anything. Endless possibilities, but instead the next film wiped the slate clean again.
• Visual Effects of Awesome: Arguably the pinnacle of the "traditional" techniques used for Kaiju films prior to CGI largely taking over. The impressive Godzilla suit from the previous film returns but this time gets to show off an even wider range of facial expressions, allowing one of the most organic "performances" the character has ever gotten. The Mothra puppet is likewise quite lifelike and capable of some rather complex movements. The miniature buildings and vehicles are some of the most detailed in the franchise, and they look just as good when they're blowing up. Although CGI is used, it's of high quality for 2003 and is blended well with the practical effects, avoiding the jarring "video game cutscene" effect found in other kaiju films of this era. The following film, Godzilla: Final Wars, would stretch a similar budget over a much bigger roster of monsters, and it unfortunately shows.

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