After successfully rebooting the franchise, Toho actually held a contest for fans to suggest what the story and enemy of the next film would be. The result is Godzilla vs. Biollante, one of the most underrated films in the franchise. After his attack in 1984, Godzilla's cells become a valuable commodity within the genetic arms race. A geneticist named Dr. Shiragami is experimenting with splicing Godzilla's cells with plant cells when a terrorist attack ends up killing his only daughter Erica. In a desperate attempt to keep her spirit alive, he combines her DNA with that of both Godzilla's and a rose, which ends up creating the monster Biollante. Meanwhile, Godzilla has risen out of his volcanic slumber, so the military has to engage him with everything at their disposal. The story explores thought-provoking ideas dealing with genetics and the role morality plays in scientific discovery. Biollante is at the center of this; a creature that is as beautiful as it is horrifying. How much of Erica's soul is in control is one of the many questions the film brings up, of which it wisely never answers directly. It never forgets it is a monster movie. On the Godzilla side of things this film excels. It introduced one of the best Godzilla designs, and he remains a constant presence throughout. The second half of the film is dedicated to trying to stop him, and some of the tactics used are creative and sometimes even effective. And his fights with Biollante are well choreographed and fun to watch. Godzilla vs. Biollante is one of the best Godzilla films because of its distinct tone, elegantly simplistic exploration of rich themes, and a compelling narrative the puts Godzilla at the forefront. The pinnacle of what a Godzilla film should be.
