The film's theatrical release poster.
Godzilla vs. Varan the Unbelievable is a 1988 science fiction kaiju disaster film directed by Kazuki Omori, from a screenplay by Omori, with special effects by Koichi Kawakita. The film serves as a sequel to 1987's Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, and the third film of the franchise's Heisei Era, as well as the 19th Godzilla film overall. The film revolves around a new kaiju named Varan being awakened along with another new kaiju named Manda by a death cult worshipping both monsters, as Godzilla returns along with Anguirus to do battle with the two. The film stars Akira Takarada, Megumi Odaka, Gedde Watanabe, Akihiko Hirata, and Tadanobu Asano. This film marks Anguirus' first appearance since Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, and the first appearances of Varan and Manda since Destroy All Monsters and All Monsters Attack respectively.
The film would be primarily marketed by a Godzilla marathon on The WB hosted by American actor Judd Nelson wearing a Godzilla suit. The film premiered in Japanese theaters on July 24th, 1988, and was released in America by Warner Bros. Pictures shortly thereafter. The film was massively successful, grossing 88 Million Yen domestically, and 8 Million dollars in the United States by the end of its theatrical run. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who mainly cited its use of more obscure kaiju, and the special effects, as well as its commentary on the role of religion in today's society. It was then followed in 1992 by Godzilla vs. Mothra.
Plot[]
Following King Ghidorah's defeat, Godzilla is still lying dormant beneath the Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, when a sample of Shockirus is discovered in a village surrounding Lake Baradagi, a G-Force team led by Miki Saegusa is sent to investigate. Once there, the team finds that the village is populated entirely by a doomsday cult that worships the monsters Varan and Manda. Subsequently, the cult kidnaps Miki and leaves her as a sacrifice to Varan, who then tries to eat her. However, with the help of her new boyfriend Kenji, Miki escapes, and takes shelter with Kenji in a cave after a harrowing chase through the woods. Once the report comes back to G-Force Headquarters, the force decides to stop Varan and Manda by dropping capsules of toxic chemicals based on surviving chemicals from the detonation of the Oxygen Destroyer. This fails however, and instead, the two monsters leave their lake and rampage through the village in a fit of rage. Elsewhere, Godzilla resurfaces, now alongside Anguirus.
Back in the village, as Varan and Manda destroy it, G-Force tries to stop them, but Manda then makes his way into the ocean via an underground stream, while Varan uses membranes under his arms to glide, with both monsters heading straight for Tokyo, as Godzilla and Anguirus also make their way to Tokyo. Scrambling for a solution to the impending destruction, G-Force starts to build a new Anti-Kaiju aircraft called the Gotengo, in preparation for the monsters' arrival, as the survivors of the village rampage arrive to witness the battle. Meanwhile, the JSDF also prepares for the attack. Manda appears off the coast of Odo Island, destroying a fishery in the process.
Soon, Varan and Manda arrive in Tokyo, and quickly team up to destroy the city, as the JSDF tries in vain to stop them. However, Godzilla and Anguirus soon arrive, and also team up to do battle with Varan and Manda. Anguirus soon mauls Manda to death, whilst Godzilla struggles against Varan's sonic attacks. Soon, the Gotengo arrives and uses its Absolute Zero cannon to freeze Anguirus long enough to get him out of the city, where he is then buried in ice in Antarctica. Subsequently, Varan grabs Godzilla and flies him out of Tokyo, where Godzilla then gets dropped into the sea and buried by a mud volcano. Subsequently, Varan battles the Gotengo in the air, with Varan then destroying the ship as it drops a chemical bomb into his stomach, killing Varan as well. Meanwhile, Godzilla's still-exposed arm twitches, revealing him to still be alive.