NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (March 2025): Criterion have transferred Kazuki Ōmori's Godzilla vs. Biollante to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "New 4K digital restoration". The Criterion 4K UHD package has one 4K UHD disc of the film and this Blu-ray (which is also available separately) with the film and special features. While we are in possession of the 4K UHD disc we cannot resolve the encode yet and therefore cannot obtain screen captures. We hope to add to this review when possible. So, the below captures are from Criterion's 2025 1080P Blu-ray transfer.

The film's appearance is a defining aspect of its identity within the Godzilla franchise, blending practical effects-driven spectacle with a moody, atmospheric aesthetic that reflects its Heisei-era ambitions. It looks exceptionally strong in Criterion's 4K UHD and Blu-ray digital transfers. Godzilla vs. Biollante is notable as the first Godzilla film to use CGI, though minimally, for computer schematics. The cinematography, overseen by Yudai Kato (Kurosawa's High and Low,) marks a significant evolution from the Shōwa-era Godzilla films, adopting a more cinematic and atmospheric approach suited to the Heisei era’s darker, more serious tone. The 1080P enhances the grandeur of the monster battles and the expansive landscapes. It looks flawless clean and exceptionally strong on digital. The film uses deep-focus cinematography to capture the interplay between foreground and background elements, particularly during monster scenes. The 4K UHD appearance is similar exemplifying the style and may be a shade darker boosting color depth.  

NOTE: We have added 72 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Criterion use a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (24-bit) in the original Japanese language (with some English.) The audio is a critical component that enhances its atmospheric depth, monster-driven spectacle, and emotional resonance within the Heisei-era Godzilla franchise.  Godzilla vs. Biollante has Godzilla’s roar, a Heisei-era refinement of the original (created by combining slowed-down animal sounds and electronic manipulation), is deeper and more guttural, reflecting Satsuma’s physical exertion inside the suit. Effects are extensive and impacting with plenty of head-turning separation. There is a with a notable contribution from Japanese composer, conductor, and orchestrator, Koichi Sugiyama (Dragon Quest video game series,) the audio landscape blends orchestral scoring, iconic monster roars, and naturalistic effects to create a distinctive auditory experience. The musical score marks a significant departure from the franchise’s traditional reliance on Akira Ifukube’s iconic themes (King Kong Escapes, Anatahan, The Mysterians, the original Godzilla, the bulk of Zatoichi series, plus Kurosawa's The Quiet Duel etc.) while still paying homage to them. The vines’ whipping motions are underscored by sharp, cracking sounds, though their wire-controlled movements sometimes led to inconsistent audio sync, a challenge noted in production accounts. Environmental sounds play a key role, enhancing the film’s settings. The East Fuji Maneuver Area’s natural ambiance - wind, distant birds, and rustling foliage - grounds the outdoor scenes, while the lab interiors feature hums of machinery and faint electronic beeps, reflecting the 1980s sci-fi aesthetic. It sounds as good as the video looks in this lossless transfer - crisp and resonating balanace. Criterion offer optional English subtitles (both Japanese spoken language and brief English - or just Japanese translated) on their Region 'A' / 'B' Blu-ray and 4K UHD. NOTE: There are burned-in Japanese subtitles for the infrequent English spoken in the film - example HERE.

The Criterion Blu-ray includes a thoughtfully curated selection of extras that enhance the viewing experience for both longtime fans and newcomers to the kaiju genre. It features a new audio commentary by film historian Samm Deighan, known for hosting the podcast Eros + Massacre and co-editing the book Revolution in 35mm. Deighan’s commentary provides a scholarly perspective on Godzilla vs. Biollante, balancing historical context, thematic analysis, and appreciation of its technical achievements. There is a focus on the film’s unique tone, which blends kaiju action with spy thriller elements, a choice reflecting director Kazuki Ōmori’s interest in James Bond-style narratives. Excellent work, Samm. Included is a Making-of Program - a 50-minute featurette, originally produced in 1993 and now subtitled in English, includes interviews with director Kazuki Ōmori, special effects director Kōichi Kawakita, and other crew members. It provides a detailed look at the film’s production, likely covering the genesis of the story - born from Shinichiro Kobayashi’s contest-winning script - and Ōmori’s three-year process of rewriting it to include espionage elements. The featurette probably showcases behind-the-scenes footage of the suitmation process, highlighting the challenges of the Godzilla and Biollante suits: Satsuma’s struggles with real explosives and the dorsal spines’ initial electrocution risk, and Takegami’s difficulty operating Biollante’s vine network due to poor visibility. There is a 3-minute documentary, also from 1993 and subtitled in English, focusing on the conceptual design of Biollante and the Super X2, the upgraded military weapon used by the JSDF against Godzilla. The featurette likely includes concept art and early models of Biollante’s two forms—the rose-like initial stage and the final reptilian form with sprawling vines—detailing how the team blended plant, human, and Godzilla DNA aesthetics. The Blu-ray includes 7-minutes of deleted special effects sequences, likely showcasing unused or alternate takes of monster battles. Criterion includes a selection of original 19-second TV spots and longer trailers, featuring the Japanese theatrical trailer and international versions. The package includes a liner notes essay by science-fiction and horror film expert Jim Cirronella (contributions in Criterion's Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954–1975 boxset) that offers a critical perspective on the film, exploring its themes of genetic engineering and environmentalism in the context of 1980s Japan.

Kazuki Ōmori's Godzilla vs. Biollante picks up five years after The Return of Godzilla, where Godzilla was trapped in a volcano. In the aftermath, scientists collect Godzilla’s cells (G-cells), sparking an international race to control them. Dr. Genichiro Shiragami (Kōji Takahashi,) a geneticist mourning his daughter Erika’s death in a lab bombing, combines her DNA with a rose and later with G-cells, hoping to preserve her spirit in an immortal plant. This experiment births Biollante, a monstrous hybrid of human, plant, and Godzilla DNA. Godzilla vs. Biollante tackles several weighty themes, often with more nuance than typical kaiju fare. Genetic engineering is central, with Biollante’s creation serving as a cautionary tale about tampering with nature. The film reflects 1980s anxieties about biotechnology, much like the original Godzilla (1954) mirrored fears of nuclear annihilation. It reflects modern angst about genetic engineering. The suitmation, lighting, and Biollante’s design are considered some of the best in the franchise. Criterion's high-quality 4K-restoration via their Blu-ray and 4K UHD, plus the thoughtful supplements, including commentary, make this highly desirable for kaiju film fans. 

Gary Tooze