Hisaya Ito Movies

This colorful, no-holds-barred clash of the titans -- directed by Inoshiro Honda (one of monsterdom's foremost experts) -- features nearly all of Japan's ground-pounding superstars, including Godzilla (and son), Mothra, Rodan and Ghidorah... and even tosses in Anzilla, Baragon, Goro, Wendra, Spiga and Varan for the explosive climax. The setup involves a race of evil aliens known as Kilaaks, who release the world's population of giant monsters from their quarantine on Monster Island, employing powerful mind-control devices on the monsters as part of their master plan for subjugating humanity. When the secret equipment used for this purpose is discovered beneath Mount Fuji and destroyed, the aliens make a last-ditch attempt at reclaiming their foothold by summoning three-headed Ghidorah from space -- but by then, Godzilla and the other city-stompers have rallied together to defend the Earth from the alien menace. Released in Japan as Kaiju Soshingeki, this is one of Honda's more colorful monster extravaganzas, and a must-see for fans of the genre. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

A true "monster rally," this Japanese special-effects smorgasbord stars no fewer than four "A"-list movie monstrosities. Once again, the citizens of Tokyo are subjected to an ill-tempered atomic mutant. This time it's the triple-headed Ghidrah, who breathes electric volts in all directions. Coming to Tokyo's rescue is faithful old Mothra, but Ghidrah proves too much for the outsized insect, even with the ubiquitous "Peanuts" (Emi and Yumi Ito) acting as Mothra's cheerleaders. Fortunately, Godzilla and Rodan stop fighting each other to help Mothra vanquish Ghidrah. The climactic battle royal takes place high atop Mount Fuji (how do those monsters cast shadows on the sky like that?) Lots of fun, Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster surprisingly yielded no immediate sequels. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rugged Japanese mountains provide the setting for this grim drama that begins as three young men embark upon a climb. Tragedy follows when one of the fellows gets confused in the fog and walks off a cliff. A year passes and the cousin of the deceased goes up the mountain accompanied by one of the original party members. Eventually, the suspicious cousin demands that the fellow reveal the truth about his cousin's "accidental" death. The man freely confesses to the murder and the cousin then gets his revenge. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Most famous for his original Godzilla film in 1956, director Inoshiro Honda is primarily a screenwriter and quite seldom a director. One of his recurrent themes -- the deadly or mutant effects of atomic radiation (as in Godzilla), is also featured in this otherwise routine sci-fi film. The title characters are from a planet that has been destroyed by nuclear bombs. After the Mysterians land on Earth they ask the Japanese for some land to settle and a few nubile women to propagate their race. Scientists are dubious about the intentions of these aliens and so an offensive is launched against them, an offensive that looks like it has no hope of success. Special effects here are excellent considering that computer-generated effects were far in the future. The large robot may be the one exception. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi