Wakusei Daikaijû Negadon / Negadon: The Monster From Mars (2005)

Technically this isn't a movie, but technically I'm not a real critic, so let's have a look-see anyway. A featurette that I first caught on the Sci-Fi Channel, Negadon performs the nifty trick of cramming almost every conceivable kaiju movie cliché into a neat little 22-minute package. We have an evil monster from outer space who shoots energy beams, a badass giant robot armed with rockets and a drill, a protagonist with a tragic past who also happens to be a brilliant scientist whose invention holds the key to our survival, every box is checked. They even find time to squeeze in a little "When will humanity learn?!" pathos. Although, I especially liked the break with tradition where the military shows itself not to be entirely ineffectual in the battle again giant monsters. The computer-generated visuals are designed specifically to envoke the golden age of tokusatsu films, with a slightly grainy look. A fitting little tribute, but given its resemblance to many films that went before, it's probably a good thing that it doesn't outstay its welcome.



No robot is complete without a B.F.D.