This was one of the first Godzilla films I can recall watching on prime-time network television when I was growing up (back then it went under its Americanized title of simply, MONSTER ZERO). Though pretty far-fetched, it's still a highly enjoyable offering in the Toho series and gives us another chance to see Godzilla and Rodan join forces against the popular three-headed King Ghidorah (Monster Zero).

This time the widescreen English dubbed version is an asset, as American actor Nick Adams adds some spice to this one, since it's always fun to hear his nasal Brooklynese voice delivering such entertaining macho lines of gibberish as: "you stinkin' rats! What have you done to her?" Adams plays one of two astronauts sent to the newly discovered "Planet X" where he meets an alien civilization forced to live underground in order to avoid frequent attacks by Ghidorah up on the surface. The leaders ask our heroes to help them obtain the services of Earth monsters Godzilla and Rodan to help them vanquish 'Monster Zero'. But all may not be quite as it seems...

Some fans don't like the fact that the monster battles are kept to a minimum this time, but they're pretty good when they arrive and it's an added kick seeing the desolate looking Planet X in outer space, with its mountains, craters and dark, star-lit skies. The addition of aliens, flying saucers and double-crosses help make this a good time for Godzilla lovers. *** out of ****

Ghidorah, that three headed flying Cerberus from outer space is in control of the folks from Planet X who look quite Oriental, but they have gray suits and helmets to distinguish them from the earthbound Japanese who made this addition to the all star monster lineup of films they do.

Planet X is a planet in parallel orbit behind big Jupiter, the better to conceal it from prying earthling eyes. The X people live underground and Ghidorah does his thing on the surface.

If I may digress, an observation here. In all the Japanese monster films I never see these monsters actually eat anything. What do they do for food. Godzilla and Ghidorah both carry a built in microwave if they like their humans well done. They make a lot destruction but never seem to consume anything. Certainly on Planet X it looks barren, so what does Ghidorah eat?

Those X guys have a nefarious scheme afoot. They want us to send Godzilla and Rodan from earth to defeat Ghidorah. Actually they want to use all the monsters to capture earth.

What the X guys weakness is? You won't believe it, but think of that classic Twilight Zone episode with Andy Devine and how he defeated those aliens who wanted to take him back to their home planet.

As bad as they are I do so love these monster fests from Japan.

INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER is a fun addition to the Gojira franchise, although not comparable to the most entertaining of the series like DESTROY ALL MONSTERS or EBIRAH, HORROR OF THE DEEP. This one's more of a science fiction story in which astronauts negotiate with an alien race based on a previously unknown moon of Jupiter known as Planet X. The monsters featured are Godzilla, Rodan and King Ghidorah, brought to life by occasional stock footage, but their presence is in short supply prior to a familiar but fun destructive climax. The human story is acceptable, the dated SFX a lot of fun, Kumi Mizuno is absolutely captivating, and a brief outer-space brawl between the trio of monsters the definite highlight, with Godzilla's victory jig a particular hoot.