Castle Bravo: A Godzillaverse Retrospective

The season three finale is here as we tackle one of the most infamous blockbusters of the 90s. It has loomed over our heads for several episodes, languishing in development hell, but the 1998 Tristar Godzilla is finally here. Hollywood Disaster Film magnates Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich bring their crew from Stargate and Independence Day to bring audiences a movie almost as big as its marketing deals were. It's the movie that forced a rapid course correction from Toho, but is it finally time to give the original American Godzilla a second chance?

We're joined this week by two guests. First, former SDGC cohost and former Paused for Popcorn host Jeff Meier. Second, and returning once again, Case Aiken from the Certain Point of View network.

We're back with Matt and Jayson one last time as we bring Mothra's 90s movie trilogy to a close. It's a movie that was unfairly kept from western audiences for an unreasonably long time, especially when you consider just how good this final entry retroactively makes the entire Rebirth of Mothra trilogy. Moths are good, actually.

Yes, we have technically broken our continuity slightly, as a certain movie did finally release months before Rebirth of Mothra 3. Derek thought it would fit better to finish the trilogy before turning to the elephant (or iguana) in the room.

Mothra's standalone film series continues as our baby boy Leo fights an aquatic jet plane dragon that is also a starfish parasite factory that is also an ancient garbage disposal created by Not-Atlantis. A furby pees on people. Leo turns into an underwater X-wing. It's a weird movie, but more than that, it's a movie that feels like it was shotgunned through an edit bay so it could be over with already.

We're joined once again by JaysonDoesMusic and Matt Storm, returning from our Rebirth of Mothra episode, and bless them for pulling through this entire sub trilogy with us.

Godzilla is dead and signed over to Hollywood, but Toho still needs to make money, so they dusted off some old script ideas and set to make Mothra a solo star again. The first of a trilogy aimed much more squarely at kids and families, Rebirth of Mothra is often overlooked but not lacking in charm. Come for Mothra and a goth Ghidorah doing fighting game special moves, stay for an evil camp fairy icon.

We’re joined this week by two guests. First, returning from an earlier episode, Matt Storm from the CPOV network! Secondly, appearing for the first time, Jayson of JaysonDoesMusic! The two of them will be sticking with us for the entire Rebirth of Mothra trilogy, joining us at the altar of Belvera.

It's the end of an era, the end of several careers, and the end of more than a couple lives (not all of them fictional) as the Heisei period of Godzilla movies draws to a close. One of the most beloved entries in the franchise, Godzilla vs Destoroyah ties the end to the beginning by centering the legacy of the Oxygen Destroyer, Dr Serizawa, and the Yamane family. Also, Crab Satan. Crab Satan is pretty cool.

For the first time, we're joined this week by not one but TWO guests (both returning from previous episodes): Godzilla megafan and SDGC cohost Justin aka Roboplato, and CPOV podcaster Case Aiken. The energy is so good.

And so we're back! From outer space! It's a moment we have been dreading as the Heisei era finally loses the plot. Godzilla vs Spacegodzilla is a fun spectacle, and basically an early Dragonball Z arc in Godzilla form, but it's a case study in how good filmmaking can't overcome basic structural script problems. Derek does a script rewrite live even, a Castle Bravo first (and hopefully a Castle Bravo last).

We're joined this week by podcaster, PR man, and fellow SDGC host Matthew Finneman. The timeline of these movies is getting a little too self-referential for newbies to keep up, but Finn is always ready to fire off a zinger.

This episode was recorded close to two months before publish date, but due to personal tragedy (mentioned at the beginning of the episode) it sat in the vault for a while before we could return to the show.

No, it's not a sequel to Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla. This entry in the Heisei era is the most interested in continuity so far, the most jam-packed with returning monsters, and the least thematically interesting (in that there is no real theme to speak of). But it's big, flashy, and fun, and they managed to make some version of Minilla that doesn't make me physically ill, so that's gotta be worth some points.

We're joined this week by writer and journalist Ryan Easby. Like several of our guests this season, Ryan is coming to the Heisei era of Godzilla without a ton of history with the Japanese films... and getting absolutely blindsided in the process.

Social Media Links

The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod

Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek

Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

Ryan - twitter.com/EasbyGames

With the previous two movies barely managing to break even, the decision was made to Break Glass In Case Of Emergency; it was time to bring back Mothra. The resulting film was not only incredibly faithful to Mothra's original film appearances, but also more smartly reimagined elements of her story to fit into the modern day (especially in comparison to Ghidorah's radical reinvention just one movie ago). It also marks as a sort of final chapter of director Ishiro Honda's connection to the series shortly before his death.

We're joined this week by writer and host of the Make Me A Gamer podcast, Atma Phoenix. Atma, like several of our guests, is coming into the world of Godzilla having seen mostly the American movies, and we couldn't have picked a much better movie to bring someone into the fold.

Social Media Links

The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod

Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek

Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

Atma - atmasweapon.com

In the wake of Godzilla vs Biollante's middling box office performance, Toho decided to break out a secret weapon that would ensure a box office draw: King Kong. Except that got messy and complicated quick, so they went back to the workshop and brought out Godzilla's most recurring villain instead: King Ghidorah. What follows is the dumbest, smartest, dumbest again, maybe smartest again movie about time travel we've seen in ages.

We're joined this week by freelance writer Erroll Maas, who has a fascination with all things Kaiju and Tokusatsu.

Social Media Links

The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod

Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek

Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

Selected Works of Erroll Maas

Interview with Matt Frank - https://youtu.be/wHoZrtWJk8E

Every 2022 Kaiju Game Ranked - https://www.thegamer.com/every-2022-kaiju-game-ranked/

The Kaiju Influence in Pokemon - https://errollmaaswriting.wordpress.com/2020/06/17/the-kaiju-influence-in-pokemon/

Return of Godzilla was a critical and commercial success, so Toho wanted to strike while the iron was hot. The best way to do this? Find a talented director and force him to work with a script you got in a contest. A tumultuous behind-the-scenes story led us to a movie wildly beloved by fans: Godzilla vs Biollante. Starring a guest appearance by infamous Dragon Quest series composer Koichi Sugiyama.

We're joined this week by Dr MJ Cali, writer and actual geneticist. MJ's not as active on social media anymore since the whole "doctor" thing, but they made time to be on this episode to weigh in and let us pretend we're a legitimate show.

Social Media Links

The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod

Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek

Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

MJ - plentyofhominids.com

We're back with a brand new season! After an almost 10 year break, Toho would attempt to go back to the franchise's roots with a new direct sequel to the original 1954 film, ignoring everything since and attempting to hew closer to its darker and more political tone. The end result is arguably the best movie in the franchise since its first outing.

We're joined once again this week by fellow Super Deluxe GamesCast cohost Brittney aka Peachia. Honestly, after the whole vagina eyes debacle of Godzilla vs Hedorah, we kinda owed her a good movie to wash the sludge out.

Social Media Links

The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod

Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek

Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

Brit - twitter.com/itspeachia

The Showa era of Godzilla comes to a powerful close with the immediate return of Mechagodzilla and the unexpected return of director Ishiro Honda and composer Akira Ifukube. It's Honda's last time in the director's seat ever, and he makes the most of it with several writing choices and production elements we've never seen in a Godzilla film before.

We're joined this week by the final sibling, Bradley Van Dyke. While originally planned as the third host, other obligations have kept him too busy to be a permanent fixture of the show... but he's here to help close out the second season and witness the end of an era. Check out his band Artica when you have the chance.

Social Media Links

The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod

Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek

Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

The last of the big five, and arguably Godzilla's most famous enemy, arrives on the scene! We say farewell to director Jun Fukuda with the strange, endearing, ass-kicking movie that introduced the first incarnation of the infamous Mechagodzilla.

We're joined this week by writer and friend of the show Andréa Mason, who came uniquely prepared to talk about the inspiration this movie took from Italian cinema.

Social Media Links

The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod

Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek

Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

Andréa - twitter.com/KDARC13

Godzilla fully embraces it's transition into rubber suit wrestling with Godzilla vs Megalon, which sees the return of Gigan and the introduction of two cult fan favorites. You probably saw this movie on Mystery Science Theater 3000 back in the day. There is no heterosexual explanation for this battle of the big boys.

We're joined this week by Matt Storm, longtime friend of the show and they of many podcasts. Derek and Charlotte have appeared on multiple episodes of the Fun and Games podcast in particular!

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex
Matt - twitter.com/dj_stormageddon
Fun and Games Podcast - twitter.com/funandgamespod

Director Jun Fukuda is back with a vengeance and putting on his best Honda impersonation in this alien invasion story, bringing back Godzilla's most famous nemesis (King Ghidorah) and introducing a new monster that would go on to be one of the fandom's all time favorites. The 70s are here, and Fukuda knows how to party.

We're joined this week by Josh Fagundes (aka Anoriand), a creator with more talents and passions than we have time to list. It's probably easier to just follow him.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex
Josh - twitter.com/AnoriandGD

A first-time director was handed a miniscule budget and told to make a Godzilla movie in a month. The result is predictably messy, but would go on to be a cult classic regardless. Despite being ostensibly a family movie, we think we probably weren't supposed to watch this one sober.

We're joined this week by friend and fellow SDGC host Brittney aka Peachia. This was her first Godzilla movie ever. It's possible we owe her a better first experience than this one.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex
Brittney - twitter.com/itspeachia
SDGC - twitter.com/officialSDGC

Dang y'all who's ready for a downer episode? Honda made a movie that should have ranked among his finest if it wasn't just a little bit off, devoid of the love and passion normally found in these movies. Turns out making movies is hard when your workplace is falling apart and one of your closest collaborators dies right as you start making it.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

It's time for the most infamous Godzilla movie ever made: All Monsters Attack, aka Godzilla's Revenge. Director Ishiro Honda returns for this *explicitly made for children* movie about standing up to bullies and getting your money's worth out of old footage. During the process, we come to a final head against the miserable and frequently racist dubbing practices these movies endured for their original American releases, and thank god we won't be suffering that for any future movies.

We're joined today by SDGC creator and fellow cohost John Phipps. He's supposed to come back for another one of these, but we can't be sure he will anymore. Not after this.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex
John - twitter.com/MagitekDad
SDGC - twitter.com/officialSDGC

For like the fifth time now... it's time. If Ghidorah the Three Headed Monsters was a coming together moment for Toho's most popular giant movie monsters, Destroy All Monsters was a coming together moment for every monster they could feasibly cram into the thing. Starring 11 or 12 monsters (do we count Kamacuras' webbed up corpse?), the Showa era's intended finale is the version of the alien invasion story Honda has told to date. I mean they made like half a dozen more movies immediately after, but they intended it to be the finale, and that counts for something.

We're joined today by recurring guest, Godzilla fanatic, and fellow SDGC host, Justin aka Roboplato. Justin got his first pick of the movies for every season, because we shamelessly engage in nepotism.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex
Justin - twitter.com/roboplato
SDGC - twitter.com/officialSDGC

We'll never be able to go back to a time before Minilla. Godzilla returns to the hands of director Jun Fukuda for another island adventure and finds himself an unwilling adoptive parent. It's the first appearance of the most infamous and widely-hated character in the Godzilla franchise, but certainly not the last. At least Godzooky could fly.

We're joined this week by Lewis White, deputy editor at StealthOptional. Lewis is very funny and we're deeply grateful to have someone else to commiserate with over the prince of the monsters.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

We return to Ishiro Honda and the rest of the Dream Team as they take another crack at a King Kong movie for Toho. Produced in partnership with Rankin Bass, King Kong Escapes is a lesser known Kong outing, and was originally intended as an adaptation of an even lesser known western animated series. Honda's pulp sensibilities prove far more memorable than anything that could have been pulled from the cartoon, even if the result is a mixed bag.

We're joined today by game critic, fellow SDGC cohost, and film aficionado CJ Salcedo. As the resident Big Monkey Respecter, CJ is joining on as our King Kong Correspondent, and will be back for all future appearances of King Kong on our podcast.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex
CJ - Don't

A new director enters the fray! Honda's busy with other projects, so this Godzilla film (famously almost a King Kong movie) went to director Jun Fukuda, who worked under Honda on several movies. In fact, for the first time so far on Castle Bravo, the entire Dream Team has taken the back seat. Unlike Godzilla Raids Again, it works out; it's recognizably Godzilla at its heart, but with a different flair of personality infused into the film. Since Fukuda's directing almost every movie this season that Honda isn't, it puts our mind at ease.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

It's sort of a sequel to Frankenstein vs Baragon, but it's DEFINITELY a way better movie. Join us as we experience this highly influential kaiju horror classic for the first time. Seriously, the horror roots are strong in this one, in a way that Honda hasn't really done with his kaiju movies since Rodan.

We're joined this week by fellow podcaster Case Aiken, from the Certain POV network. Most relevant to our listeners, Case Aiken is one of the hosts of the Another Pass movie podcast, which both of us were on recently! We talk about it in the show, natch.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex
Case - twitter.com/CaseAiken
Another Pass Podcast - twitter.com/AnotherPass
Certain POV Network - twitter.com/certainpovmedia

Can we pretend this was the start of Season 2? Godzilla, Rodan, and King Ghidorah all return for this explosive and personality-packed pulp sci-fi epic, featuring the Godzilla franchise's most famous alien antagonists: the Xiliens of Planet X. It's a worthy sequel to Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster, and maybe one of the best overall times we've had with a movie yet.

We're joined this week by the first of many guests for Season 2: our friend, small-time streamer, and fellow kaiju fan Lou aka IgLou_BC.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex
Lou - twitter.com/IgLou_BC

We're back, but Godzilla's not (yet)! Castle Bravo returns for Season Two, opening up with cult classic pulp scifi movie Frankenstein vs Baragon, also known as Frankenstein Conquers the World. It's a concept Toho had been trying to get off the ground for years, and it... doesn't hold up that well. Not a great start for the Dream Team this season. Get ready for the death of ideology.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

It's the finale of Season One, and we're here with a movie that defined a franchise and gave us Godzilla's first turn from villain to hero. If King Kong vs Godzilla introduced the giant monster wrestling match, and Mothra vs Godzilla set the tone, then it's Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster that finalized the formula that would define the series for the next 20 years. 

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

This week features a slight cooldown between major Godzilla movies with the mixed-est bag of all time. Two part diamond heist mystery, one part giant monster movie, all fever dream, It's hard to call Dogora a cohesive vision. However, there's a lot of diamond in this rough, with memorable scenes and characters and a couple of the greatest shots of Honda's career so far. Dogora may have been made in the short downtime between two major projects, but it still has a lot of charm put into it.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

We're joined this week by Super Deluxe Gamescast cohost Justin Drew, aka Roboplato, to talk about one of the most highly regarded Godzilla films of all time: Mothra vs Godzilla (not to be confused with Godzilla vs Mothra, a completely different movie made 30 years later). The themes and comedic, family-friendly tone of the original Mothra film blend with Godzilla's larger-scale destruction and monster smackdowns to finally find the sweet spot that would define Godzilla for decades to come.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex
Justin - twitter.com/roboplato
Super Deluxe Gamescast - twitter.com/officialsdgc

When an undersea kingdom threatens global domination, Japan must take a superweapon designed to revive the Japanese Empire and use it instead to protect the world. Enter the Gotengo, a flying undersea warship with a big honkin' drill and more gizmos than the Mach Five. This machine kills fascists. Like... a lot of them. And sends a sea dragon packing in the process. Join us as we discuss a scifi adventure romp that goes beyond anti-nationalism and kicks subtlety to the curb.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

It's time for a high point of the season with the classic horror film Matango. A slow, tense survival movie with elements of body horror, this film is loaded with political messaging. Fans of The Last Of Us may feel at home with the cordyceps-like fungus overtaking the cast in this movie. Sure, the people are turning into mushroom monsters... but you could argue most of them were monsters well before they landed on the island. Am I laying it on too heavy? Probably. I'll step it back a bit.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

We're joined this week by our first of two guests this season, dad and Castle Bravo theme song composer David Van Dyke, to talk about a pivotal moment for the Godzilla franchise in a grudge match that changed a franchise. Grab your berry juice and fried octopus as we dive into King Kong vs Godzilla, the movie that may have actually started it all. "It all" being, like, all the monster fighting movies that came later.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

When it comes to the filmography of director Ishiro Honda, it may be best to keep as few expectations as possible, because every so often you get hit with a curveball. Gorath is, as best we can describe it, an absurdist film about nihilism and perseverance in the face of almost certain doom. There's also a giant walrus for about 5 minutes. You will dissociate watching this movie.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

The Queen of the Monsters arrives! Mothra may mostly be known for being a frequent sidekick/enemy to Godzilla, but starting with her debut film instead of a Godzilla appearance really changes the foundation for her identity. It's an excellent movie, full of both character and social commentary. Shame about the blackface though. If you've ever scoffed at the idea of a giant moth as a movie monster... maybe hold your judgments.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

There's an interesting story behind the troubled production of Varan the Unbelievable. Unfortunately, that doesn't necessarily translate to a particularly interesting movie to watch. On the other hand, it gives us an excellent opportunity to talk about how things like studio interference, bad American recuts, and salvaging movies in the edit room. Plus, Charlotte learns about a new type of lizard, and that's always nice.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

Invaders from the stars come for our land and our women in this strange cult classic pulp scifi film from Godzilla director Ishiro Honda. It's an interesting movie to watch, but also one that attempts multiple fronts of social and political commentary. It's a strange and at times messy movie, but one that helps establish a running set of political themes in Honda's filmography. Also, technically not a monster movie! But only technically.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

It's time for the Kentuckiest monster movie ever made. Godzilla's taking a break for a bit, but director Ishiro Honda will stay busy, with Rodan being the first of many non-Godzilla films to eventually become connected to Godzilla himself. It's honestly a better spiritual sequel to the original Godzilla than the actual original Godzilla was. One thing's for sure, neither of us are taking any suitors to the ol' earthquake pit anytime soon. That's not a euphemism. Stay away from earthquake pits.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

Godzilla sees a quick turnaround with a new sequel from a different director. It's an attempt at capturing the magic of the first film, but falls short in both execution and message. Interestingly, this is the only movie in our first season of Castle Bravo that comes from a director other than original Godzilla director Ishiro Honda, and we think it unfortunately shows. Still, it's a fun movie in its own way, so grab your nearest Polish paleontologist and strap yourselves in for a weird ride.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

Our series begins where the film series begins: the original 1954 Godzilla. We talk about the historical context of the movie's release, explain the origin of our show's name, and tell the story (as best we know it) of director Ishiro Honda. That last part is important, because Honda's works comprise almost the entirety of our first season of Castle Bravo, and also lay the foundation for what would eventually become one of the largest worlds in cinema history. Pun maybe intended.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex

With Season 1 currently in production, it's time for Derek and Charlotte talk the basics of the upcoming series. Call it a teaser, a preview, a trailer, or an explainer, but we call it Episode 0.

Social Media Links
The Show - twitter.com/CastleBravoPod
Derek - twitter.com/DerbyCityDerek
Charlotte - twitter.com/viscerocomplex