Atragon

The Scooby-Doo like plot of Atragon begins with two seemingly unrelated events.  As photographers are setting up a model for some cheesecake shots a spooky frogman rises from the ocean.  As this happens a car drives off the dock and crashes into the water.  The movie follows detectives investigating a  kidnapping case, photographers as they track down a potential model and a reporter who believes a Japanese submarine disappeared at the end of World War II.  Almost sounds like the writer just threw together random plot ideas to see what would stick. 

A strange man attempts to kidnap a former Admiral and his young ward, the potential model, and take them to Mu.  The Admiral scoffs, saying Mu is a mythical sunken island.  After a brief struggle with the kidnapper he escapes into the ocean.  Later, at the police station, a film arrives from the kidnapper which conveniently explains the history of Mu.  In addition to being educational the Mu Empire demands that the secret underwater battleship Atragon be destroyed and the world returned to Mu.  If these demands are not met the world will be cursed by Manda...whatever Manda is.

After the United Nations decides to ignore the Mu Empire a Japanese vessel is attacked...by steam...and explodes...for some reason.  Also, Venice sinks off screen.  A bit later the world's most powerful submarine...which is named Red Satan for some strange reason, chases an enemy submarine through the ocean depths.  Red Satan has an english speaking crew...though they all have strange accents.  Eventually Red Satan is crushed like a pop can.

While interrogating a man connected with the construction of Atragon an earthquake strikes which the Mu Empire takes credit for.  Eventually the captured man agrees to take this rag tag group of characters to the secret base where Atragon is being constructed.  They arrive and speak to the Captain of Atragon...but he refuses to help.  The Atragon is only for Japan, he states, having never surrendered he intends to see Japan restored to greatness.

The next day everyone is gathered to witness a trial run of Atragon.  The submarine rises from the water...and takes to the air like a jet.  After failing to convince the Captain to save the world an explosion rocks the base and the reporter, who is a Mu spy, kidnaps the Captain's daughter and her love interest.  Meanwhile, the people of Mu dance a happy tribal dance.  It's a bit odd seeing Japanese actresses prancing around in blonde wigs.  It almost feels like these are the forefathers of cosplay. 

The kidnapped couple are brought before the Mu Empress, who sentences them to death by Manda.  We get just a tiny glimpse of Manda and it looks like a Chinese dragon.  Meanwhile, Mu frogmen guys have risen from Mt. Fuji...oh yeah, and UFOs attack the countryside.  It's just not a Toho film without a monster and UFOs.  As Mu attacks Atragon is finally free from the bomb wreckage and takes off to fight the invaders.  At midnight Mu attacks Tokyo with steam-power, which proves devastating.  They also attack with their own submarine, annihilating the Japanese Navy.

The kidnapped couple manage to escape their cell with some super Mu dynamite and as they make their escape the hostage Empress releases Manda...with her butt.  They attempt to swim out but are met by Manda.  Fortunately, Atragon shows up, distracts Manda and everyone safely boards the submarine.  The Captain and Admiral decide to attack the Mu Empire power source and set course...only to be met by Manda.

Manda wraps its snakelike body around Atragon in an attempt to crush it.  It is driven away by electric charges and is blasted by the cold air cannon.  Atragon bursts through the walls of the power station and it's crew members suddenly become an army of Mr. Freeze clones, attacking the Egyptian looking Mu soldiers with cold rays.  The Mr. Freeze soldiers set a bomb, Atragon freezes the power station and departs.  The crew of Atragon watch the explosion from the surface, and battle the last remaining Mu forces...the Mu submarine.  The submarine is destroyed but the Mu Empress escapes and swims into the explosion and we have reached...

Atragon is directed by Ishiro Honda who directed numerous films for Toho, including the original Godzilla (not to mention several of its sequels).  I suppose the best way to describe Atragon is to say it's like a Japanese version of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.  Atragon is based on a series of juvenile novels which were heavily influenced by Jules Verne.  Manda would go on to appear in Destroy All Monsters and would appear, with a re-imagined Atragon, in the opening sequence of Godzilla:  Final Wars. 

 
The beginning of the film is a bit sketchy and parts of the film are a bit slow, but I found it be quite good.  There are some goofy elements such as Japanese actors wearing blonde wigs, some reused footage from The Mysterians and Mothra (though only hardcore fans will spot it) and subtitles that, while not the worst i've ever been subjected to (that honor falls to Space Sheriff Gavan) could stand some improvement.  In the end, if you enjoy any of the Toho films or movies such as The Last Dinosaur, The Land That Time Forgot or 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea then you will enjoy Atragon.