1957's "The Mysterians" ("Chikyu Boeigun" or Earth Defense Force in Japan) kicked off Toho's 'space opera' trilogy, preceding "Battle in Outer Space" and "Gorath," both done on a higher budget, this one remaining grounded in one earthbound location with the forces from Mysteroid, an asteroid near Jupiter that had already conquered Mars, first sending out a robot called Moguera to wreak havoc in nearby villages after emerging from a cliff. Decimated by nuclear annihilation, the aliens have come to Earth for women to repopulate their race, meeting resistance as nations across the globe unite to defeat them. The robot remains the one concession to a giant monster, and is also played by Godzilla veteran Haruo Nakajima, it's just a shame that its rampage ends before the half hour mark. Once the Mysterians prove that their 'peaceful' intentions are false, the entire second half consists of one battle after another, plenty of action but little human conflict apart from Akihiko Hirata, whose belief in the invaders almost leads to Earth's downfall. "Battle in Outer Space" would be an upgrade, split between forces on the moon and in the skies above, while "Gorath" offers a wandering star threatening to devour our planet.
Review of The Mysterians
