Never saw this finally as a kid. Finally got a chance at the New Beverly Cinema a few years ago, when the uncut "International" version played on a double bill with Godzilla (i.e., this is the version with all the original dialogue intact, whether the actors were speaking Japanese or English).

I was very disappointed over all. The film was hurt by ridiculous lines delivered by the untalented Occidentals ("A man-eating plant! I wonder...") And the villain's "Roliscan" home was also silly, with unseen cows moo-ing in the background. I guess that was supposed to make it seem like a piece of rustic Americana to Japanese audiences.

The most fun was seeing that "New Kirk" city was a composite of miniatures that look like New York, back lot sets that look like back lot sets, and stock footage of Los Angeles freeways. Quentin Tarantino was in the audience and laughed even louder than I did when the sign for the Harbor Freeway flashed by.