Terror of Mechagodzilla or Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla?

I love both. They're actually very different movies despite using the same elements.

My vote is for Terror of MechaGodzilla. It was Ishiro Honda's last movie and the darkest (even depressing) of the 1970s. The characters are possibly the strongest in the series since the late 60s-- The telescoped relationship between Ichinose and Katsura works in that it adds a layer of tragedy to the film's end. And Katsura's story arc is mirrored in the tragic use of Titanosaurus expertly.

MechaGodzilla is as threatening as always, but the best part about Godzilla's mechanized foe is when Godzilla tries to rip off his head again: I liked how it tricked audiences into thinking it would work a second time.

Godzilla's role in this movie is almost god-like. He's a hero, but he arrives in an almost mythic-avenger fashion. He has no help on his side, he simply exists in this film to be a balance to the larger threats. The fact he takes on both MechaGodzilla and Titanosaurus by himself makes him seem like a seasoned warrior. He's tough. Tougher than he is in the last few movies.

Another thing people seem to forget about Terror of MechaGodzilla is now we know why the aliens are attacking Earth. They glossed over that reason in the first movie.

Terror of MechaGodzilla is probably one of my favorites and I'd argue it's one of the best, darkest and even more "adult" driven of the movies.That is, unless, you're fine with your kids seeing fake boobies and a person's humanity stripped from them...

Ishiro Honda did excellent job closing out the series and it's fitting that he direct the first and last of the Showa era.

Thats possibly the best explanation for liking something I have ever read ever. I've been been watching all my Godzillas movies again and next up is terror of mechagodzilla, I haven't seen it for a very long time so now I'm really excited lol

I've been doing the same thing. I hope you enjoy it in a new light, it's certainly a film worth studying. Very fine and mature directorial effort by Honda.

I agree with Gman, I think Terror was the better one.

It's very close, but I remember it was very hard for me to find a VHS copy of Terror of Mechagodzilla so I didn't have it till much later, whereas I had Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla from a very young age. So for nostalgia's sake I have to go with Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla.

The fight vs anguirus, the pseudo Godzilla vs godzilla scene. King Ceasar being 1 of my favorite kaiju if only because he's much different than all the others. The scenes of Godzilla getting brutally beaten down to the point blood was spewing out his neck but still fighting. The huamn character are all interesting and something is always happening whether that is escaping the alien's base, or keeping King Ceasar's statue safe. Just a really good movie especially when compared to the 3 that came before it. It really brought the showa back and made it so Terror of MechaGodzilla could end on a strong note.

^Can't disagree with any of that either, despite my preference. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla was a slick espionage film as well as a great anniversary film featuring throwbacks to his early career: "Godzilla" vs. Anguirus for the first time since 1955, the Fake Godzilla attacking cities so we can see the image of Godzilla terrorizing the world again... It was fantastic.