Review of Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965) by Blais E — 24 Apr 2011

One of Japanese film studio Toho's customarily-camp sci-fi classics, featuring their usual cheesily-fun effects work and ultra-detailed miniature landscapes, as well as a typically nonsensical plot: the still-beating heart of the Frankenstein Monster is sent from Germany to Japan for research during WW ll, and after being exposed to radiation from the Allied forces' bombing of Hiroshima, inexplicably mutates into a hideous yet benevolent snaggle-toothed oversized juggernaut who resembles the titular creature, replete with flattened head! After aimlessly bopping around the mountainous regions of the Land of the Rising Sun for a while, he encounters Baragon, a gigantic, grumpy, boston terrier-faced, rhino-horned, flappy-eared, flame-throwing dinosaur in serious need of an attitude adjustment, and they engage in a battle royale to the death, using the always-unfortunate Japan as their personal rumble-ring.

Interestingly, the film was made with two endings--the other showcasing Frankenstein's fatal tangle with an outsized octopus. Both can be found on Tokyo Shock's recent DVD release.