***      Giant Sized Frankenstien's Monster vs. Baragon!

Like what they did to Kong, Toho bought the rights to the name and look of Frankenstien's monster, which is commonly called just plain Frankenstien. Frankenstien may be the doctor, not the monster, but in this movie that's what they call it. Obviously, also like Kong, the messed it up. However, once again like the movie "King Kong vs. Godzilla", it's kind of fun it's own, original way.

Better buckle your seat belt for this one. Frankenstien's (the monster) heart never dies. If the monster is killed, the heart will live on, and it can regenerate the rest of the body from there. That's how Frankenstien keeps coming back for more in movie after movie. The heart is taken away from it's keeper/researcher (possible a descendent of Dr. Frankenstien, kind of like the movie "Young Frankenstein", where the next generation takes over on the research) by Nazis, and sent to Japan for research. However, Hiroshima is hit with the A-bomb, and the heart is supposedly destroyed. However, 15 or so years later, a boy resembling Frankenstien with a resistance to radiation, an abnormal growth rate, an ability to regenerate lost body parts, and a craving for dogs, cats, and bunnies comes around. Researchers try to confine him for study, but, of course, he gets away. Small towns suddenly start getting attacked, people and farm animals getting eaten and all, and the military thinks Frankenstien is responsible, because he is a big boy now. However, it turns out to be the burrowing dinosaur known as Baragon! Frankenstein battles Baragon to save his now found human friends, and after snapping Baragon's neck, they are both swallowed by some sort of unexpected earthquake sinkhole! It ends here for the American version, but in the Japanese version, a giant octopus pops out of nowhere to drag Frankenstien into the ocean, drowning him.

Well, obviously, it has a ludicrous plot. But, other than the whacked story line, the plot is actually pretty good. It is fast paced yet slow, and flows pretty well. There is a point where it jumps around all over the place, but other than that, it's pretty good. Frankenstien himself is surprisingly well done. He acts enough like Frankenstien to be considered to be Frankenstien. However, he is huge, and he does look more like a cave man than a monster. Plus, it's just a Japanese guy with lame makeup. He is also extremely fast, instead of the usual slow. It's especially unrealistic for something so large, but then again Toho always had that problem (small objects fall faster than large objects on the same scale). But, it could have been worse. Baragon himself is a pretty cool kaiju, but his resemblance to a bunny rabbit to make a problem. Why would something that hates to come out during the day go to the trouble of having a glowing horn next to his eyes? Still, these are the clichés of the kaiju movies.

The special effects are really good for the time. Well, it gets a little lame at times, but for the most part they are pretty good. There is some times with great miniature work, and other times where Baragon tips over a plastic horse and Frankenstien picks up a Ken doll. The main battle at the end is one of the better ones. It's set to the backdrop of a dramatic forest fire, and it looks really good. The fighting is fun, and distinctively Toho. The time leading up to the main battle has tinges of classic Frankenstien, but it mainly is original, but good work. The movie has lapses at times, but for the most part it is a very well done movie.

An interesting not is that Nick Adams guy. Apparently, the character he played in the movie "Godzilla vs. Monster Zero" decided not to be a diplomat at Planet X and become a research doctor with a different name. Same actor, different character, same movie series. Happens all the time but its still kind of fun to connect the characters. As a whole, this movie is weird, screwy, campy, and fun! It gets kind of gory at times for a Toho movie, with dead rabbit body parts and a crawling hand (Thing!), but not beyond the PG level. Either you love this movie, hate this movie, think that it is a silly campy movie, or simply think it's OK, this is one movie you don't want to miss. Then again, it's tough to find. I don't even own this movie; I saw it on AMC. But, if you can find it somewhere, and your wondering about Baragon, have fun!

Good plot.

Good special effects.

Dramatic and well-done final fighting scene.

Frankenstien not that badly done.

Baragon is cool man!

Screwy main plot.

Occasional lapse in goodness.

Yeah, right, sure, that's very possible.

That's Frankenstien? Don't make me laugh!

Is it just me, or did they mix Godzilla's roar into Baragon?

Hey, we made a good movie but we just ran out of money, what do we do? To the toy store!

Credits