RODAN
(1956)Director: Ishirô Honda
Classic Media
RODAN
(1956)Japan. The year was 1956. Toho
Studios had scored a major success with GOJIRA (Godzilla, 1954) a mere two years
before. The 
tale
of a Tyrannosaurus Rex-like amphibian with radioactive scales on his back, this
prehistoric throwback went on a rampage destroying Tokyo. This black and white
masterpiece was the beginning of a Golden Age of Japanese Science-Fiction that
carries on into the present day.
The astounding successes Toho enjoyed prompted the creation of other monsters to capitalize on heir initial success. RODAN was such an attempt. And this monster does NOT disappoint! This time the studio would also present the story in Eastmancolor.
RODAN chronicles the birth of
two monolithic Pterodactyls which hatch from a pair of eggs discovered in a
coal mine in a small Japanese village on the sea. First the two creatures terrorize
the village as giant caterpillars and eventually the heat of their 
volcanic
cave-home transforms them into winged, bat-like creatures with an appetite for
total destruction.
This classic was directed by Ishiro Honda with great special effects by Eiji Tsuburya. At a mere 72 minutes running time, the pace of the film is brisk.
The special features on the disc are in the sound department as one may enjoy viewing RODAN in either Mono sound or in 5.1 Surround. Also included is a Game Cube Promo in which our hero Godzilla "Destroys All Monsters." It's amusing kiddie fare (or plays to the kid in all us Baby Boomers as well!)
RODAN is presented here full-screen
(it was never released widescreen) and the color hues are positively dazzling
in some scenes. There is obvious fading in some stock footage sequences though
this is rare throughout the film. By and large this film is a MUST for all aficionados
of Japanese Sci-Fi and RODAN is reasonably priced. RODAN is also part of a five
DVD package 
containing
other Godzilla titles.
Classic Media in unison with Sony Music has given us a great Halloween treat. This reviewer lauds their efforts and wishes the series every success. If you are out there listening, Classic Media, please release ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE, THE MYSTERIANS and perhaps this scribe's guilty pleasure, VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE (property of Crown-International Pictures).
Domo Arigato, Classic Media! (Christopher Dietrich)