Once again, Japan brings audiences face to face with Godzilla (Tsutomu Kitagawa is the guy in the rubber suit) for an all-new battle adventure against both the military and a space alien called Orga. As with the majority of the previous films featuring Godzilla, the military treat him as public enemy number one and try to exterminate the mutated reptile. This time, their weapons of choice are reinforced full-metal missiles capable of penetrating Godzilla's flesh. With lizard skin flying about in an all-out barrage, the attack is suddenly halted as the soldiers realize they need Godzilla to defeat a new monster that has awakened from hibernation after six millennia. The malignant creature surfaces from his underwater haven in search of a host to house its deteriorating form, and Godzilla's rapid regenerative capabilities make him the ideal candidate.

   The star of this film is actually Godzilla Jr. In Japan, there has been a resurgence of interest in the King of Monsters; a half-dozen new films in the franchise have been made since 1984. Then, to the surprise of loyal fans in 1995, after Godzilla defeated The Destoroyah, his body temperature reached 1,200 degrees Celsius, causing him to have a total meltdown and die. The high levels of radiation that emitted from his body posed another threat to mankind, but they were quickly absorbed by Godzilla Jr., causing him to evolve.

   This explains why the current Godzilla is smaller and not as skilled in fighting. His lack of skill is most apparent when he starts biting Orga during the climatic battle. The original Godzilla knew he was a badass and liked to show off; he took pleasure in making a mockery of his opponent. The usual taunting was disappointingly missing from this fight. True fans will also notice that there are a considerable number of people in the city. When Godzilla arrived in the past, people scattered and by the end the film, there was nobody around except the main stars. This time, there were crowds of people gathered as though they were watching gladiators joust, thus undermining the perceived threat.

   Like Godzilla Jr., "Godzilla 2000" has a long way to go before it lives up to its legacy. Starring Takehiro Murata, Naomi Nishida, Mayu Suzuki, Hiroshi Abe and Shiro Sano. Directed by Takao Okawara. Written by Hiroshi Kashiwabara and Wataru Mimura. Produced by Shogo Tomiyama. A Columbia release. Sci-fi. Rated PG for monster violence and mild language