Japan's favourite giant lizard crawls out of radioactive waters in the South Pacific and heads for New York in this dreary American overhaul from 10,000 BC director Roland Emmerich. Resembling an over-produced version of The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Emmerich's blockbuster behemoth replaces man-in-suit special effects with dodgy computer visuals and sub-Jurassic Park thrills. What it doesn't replicate is the endearing charm the celebrated fire-breather had when he stomped through cardboard skyscrapers. The old Toho Studios' fantasy adventures may have lower budgets, but even the cheapest shows more imagination and flair than this dismal monster mishmash.

French nuclear tests irradiate an iguana into a giant monster that viciously attacks freighter ships in the Pacific Ocean. A team of experts, including Niko Tatopoulos, conclude that the oversized reptile is the culprit. Before long, the giant lizard is loose in Manhattan as the US military races to destroy the monster before it reproduces and it's spawn takes over the world.