MONSTER SIGHTING #20: Godzilla Vs Biollante

I have another cluster of memories revolving around this movie that have helped cement it as my favorite amongst the Heisei era of film. 

Let's start with my first introduction to the Biollante character:

It was in the Super Nintendo game "Super Godzilla". On the third level, you face off against Biollante in the middle of a huge lake. To the young Rick, Biollante appeared as a giant, aquatic fish-like monster with a glowing red belly and two toothy tentacles. 

As of the time of release in the states in 1994, only Godzilla 1985 was available so the lineup of Heisei villains was still largely unknown to the general populace, with the widespread advent of the internet still years off. Creatures like Biollante, Battra and Bagan were every bit as mystical as the likes of Varan and Baragon to a kid my age during the 90s.

It wasn't until sometime in 1995 that I finally was able to grab myself a copy of Godzilla Vs. Biollante along with the first VHS collecting two episodes of the Ruby-Spears Mega Man cartoon from some video place in the mall. 

It was a cozy feeling, yet chilly weekend when the order came in and we went to pick them up. I was playing Golden Axe II with my sister when we got the call. My mother was sick with either the cold or flu, I can't remember which. 

When we got home, I immediately popped the movie into my VCR and fast-forwarded through to all of the parts that had monsters in them, as any kid that age likely would have done. But was when Biollante finally made her appearance that I was confounded. 

This was NOT the monster that I fought in the game, nor did it look like the gigantic wall of flowers that Godzilla stood in front of on the cover art. Adding more to my confusion, the thing DIES. Godzilla sets it aflame and the movie just keeps on trekking along. 

I remember being distinctly confused by this odd turn of events, wondering just where that fish-like thing was. 

Before the recollection continues, I gotta talk about my favorite Heisei suit: BioGoji! It cuts such an impressive, menacing image with its thick thighs, extended tail and the return of its cat-like ears. How this didn't become the main face of the era I don't understand. It's such a  beautiful suit. 

As the movie went on and on, it was honestly looking like Biollante was done for and that the rest of the film was going to be a solo Godzilla versus the army romp. 

Until it no longer was! 

Enter Biollante, the huge creature from the game and one of the most impressive props in the Heisei era. Absolutely massive, intricate and beautiful. Biollante in her final form barely resembles the oceanic look of the in-game sprite, nor was she half submerged in water. But man did she ever put up an spectacular, explosive fight that she literally won. 

Because of Biollante's mournful howls, she actually creeped me out to the point that I seldom ever watched the movie at night.