Kaiju

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Godzilla vs. Megalon

godzilla vs megalon dvdThis film has something of a reputation. People will often describe it as campy, hockey, and lame. Such negative criticism is going a bit too far. This film has its shortcomings but I am one of the first to rush to its defense. This is not the worse Godzilla movie in existence. I have yet to get around to reviewing that one.

The lost civilization of Seatopia, which disappeared underground centuries ago, wants humanity to stop with nuclear testing, decides to retake the surface, and plans to destroy all life in the process. To accomplish this they unleash the insectoid, Megalon to destroy all that stands in his way and capture a scientist who has made a robot that they plan to use to guide Megalon as he rampages. The inventor, Goro, along with his friend and nephew, regain control of the android, Jet Jaguar, and have him call for Godzilla. As he waits for the king of the monsters to arrive, Jet Jaquar grows big and enters the battle, but Seatopia has a plan and calls for Gigan to even the odds. Who will wing/ Godzilla nd Jet Jaguar, the saviors of humanity or Megalon and Gigant, the harbingers of death?megalonvs4

I’ll start by addressing the negativity that surrounds this film. There is no explanation as to how Seatopia, a kingdom that has been stuck underground for years has a connect with aliens from Nebula M to the point that the aliens would have no problem loaning them Gigan (I’m sure this was another script draft or something along those lines where this plot point made sense). It utilizes a lot of recycled footage including the explosions (that were originally from King Ghidorah’s attacks) and Godzilla crossing the sea. The “Kenny” (annoying little kid character, named for the kid from “Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster”) Roku is pretty annoying especially his dub actor who can be very loud at times. Finally their is Godzilla’s flying kick, which makes no flipping sense at all. Of course after the incident in “Vs. Smog Monster” where he used his breath to fly, we really can’t fault the studio for not wanting to stick with logic. megalonvs3

Let’s move to the good parts. It IS a very fun movie. This is Godzilla in the middle of his “friend to humanity” time and he is more than willing to drop everything and swim across the sea at a moment’s notice. It’s fun to watch him and Jet Jaquar work together to take down their enemies. Also, despite the fact that this is only appearance, Megalon does do enough damage and was iconic enough to become a favorite of many a Kaiju fan. Maybe its the fact that he’s a insect like monster but doesn’t look disgusting in his appearance.

In end its one of those movies that has the split “Love it or hate it” reputation. Personally though I love it. That Godzilla gives out such a thrashing on both Megalon and Gigan, especially Gigan considering Gigan kicked Godzilla’s butt the first time he appeared. I know Godzilla won that battle but it wasn’t without first getting knocked around like old garbage. Anyways, if you a new fan give it a shot. The show is free to watch over at Crunchyroll and I recommend you give it a watch as you explore your the genre of Kaiju.

Rating: B

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Rodan

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When I was a kid Rodan freaked me out and made me not want to watch Giant Monster movies ever again. Lucky for me I eventually recovered from the experience and stayed true to the genre even to this day. It wasn’t because of terrible quality or because I came to the insane belief that Kaiju films was not worth my time. It was because Rodan and War of the Gargantuas (which I watched on the same day, but I’ll get to that review another day) showed me the first scenes in a film of someone drowning. I know for most people, the first drowning scenes they seen in cinema were from Jaws, but for me Rodan was my Jaws.

6a00d8341bfb8d53ef00e553d0741a8834-800wiWhen miners start to go missing in a small town, Shigeru, the head of security for the mine starts to become worried, especially once his fiancee’s brother disappears. As he starts to investigates the strange appearances he soon discovers large insects called Meganula are to blame for the miners’ disappearances. As Shigeru takes a team to seal up with the mine and kill the insects he becomes trapped himself. As strange phenomenon in the sky start to be reported, Shigeru returns, without his memory and near catatonic over what he saw in the mine. As he starts to recover, he reveals that he has seen the birth of a monster that consumed the Meganula as it awoke as food and my just threaten to devour all mankind.

This was the only film to start Rodan exclusively and sadly the only time when he has something of a unique theme associated with him. While Godzilla is a force of nature, Gamera a friend to the children, and Mothra is a being of peace, this first interpretation of Rodan is something else all together. The two monsters that appear are the last of their kind and trying to cut out a place from themselves in this new world. Unfortunately, cutting out a place for themselves results in an insane amount of property damage. They are just trying to build a nest and start a life together as two last of their kind species would do. Sadly, they never addressed this idea again with the monster. More on that later.

This is movie tackles an idea we don’t usually see in movies, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Shigeru comes back from seeing Rodan’s birth and is utterly traumatized by the incident. He has to take time to adjust to the terror of what he saw, considering the larger than a man sized Meganula were already scary enough but to see a creature even larger use them as food was too much for him to bear. Realistically, Rodan would probably be able to eat several humans as if they were bird seed. Luckily he has of those Meganula to munch on.

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It’s a shame we never seen Rodan like this ever again. For the rest his movie career he would be recast as Godzillas friend/foe and never once would his name be prominently displayed on the title for the films where he was cast. Not once has any attempt ever been made to try and retell the story of the two of its kind maintaining a nest, that unfortunately leads to them destroying humanity as they try to maintain a place for themselves. Instead of holding onto the theme that was presented for him in the first movie, the studio would forever abandon it in favor of Rodan being a creature that could show up in a film, kick some butt, and fly away into the horizon when he wasn’t needed anymore. Truly a shame they his humanizing role would be his first compared to his fellow giant monsters who have had multiple movies where they have been allowed to shine as individuals.

Rating: A-

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Rebirth of Mothra

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When Godzilla made first appearance in America the throne for the king of the monsters became empty. Two different contenders stepped up in an effort to prove their greatness by releasing trilogies. These two enormous titans were Gamera and Mothra. I have already reviewed the Gamera trilogy and how exceptional those three movies were but what about Mothra?

Picking up after Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla, Mothra has presumably saved the world from an asteroid that would have wiped out all life and has since returned to his island and laid a new egg. Elsewhere a construction company is tricked by a mischievous fairy named Belvera into released the ancient evil known as Death Ghidorah (I’m aware wikipedia has it named differently but that’s the name the version I saw used and I think it sounds better than Desghidorah). Working to stop Belvera plans is the twin guardians, Moll and Lora who summon Mothra to fight against this reborn terror. As the new born larva hatches he has no choice but to fight along side of its weakened mother to stop Death Ghidora from destroying all mankind.

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The characters for this outing are a mixed bag. I don’t really remember anything that stands out in the human characters of Taiki and Wakaba and are really only there so the Moll and Lora have someone that doesn’t know what’s happening to explain the situation to. The three Elias sister though definitely stand out. I’m glad that they didn’t have Moll and Lora talk in unison. That would have really gotten old fast. The fact that the two of them have to watch their sister, Belvera try to take down humanity and stop them is very touching to watch. I’d be willing to go to bat with other Kaiju fans to say that are the top runners for the best priestess Mothra has ever had.

Once again we witness a Mothra death scene but this one is probably one of the most tear jerking of them all. His Showa era death was pretty memorable with the Mother Mothra sacrificing itself to protect her egg but in this film we witness as the baby Mothra can do nothing to save its mother who is too weak to return home and collapses into the sea from exhaustion. It definitely is one of the most heart breaking scenes of the Heisei era of monsters.

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One minor strike I can’t help but note against this series is Mothra’s genre. The movie makes it a point to express that the Mothra that is the center point for this trilogy is distinctly male, even given the name Mothra Leo once it hatches from its cocoon. What did they not think that a female monster would be able to carry the entire series. Come on Japan, that’s old school thinking.

The Rebirth of Mothra trilogy comes out swinging and delivers one of the Kaijus most action packed and heart felt outings. It also possesses my favorite version of Mothra, complete with lasers coming out of every possible surface. Unfortunately it’s all downhill from here. Unlike the Gamera where all three movies maintain a high level of quality through the series, the next two films are not as entertaining as this one. My advice is to just watch this one and walk away. Stay tuned for later posts where I will describe in detail how those movies don’t stack up.

Rating: B+

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Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster

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This is going to be a first on this blog. You see I have seen every Godzilla movie ever. Some more than others with how much I enjoy them. Today though I’m revisiting one of the films I have only seen once to see if a second viewing can change my mind about it. I didn’t enjoy Ghidora the three headed monster the first time I saw it. Let’s see if it can score any higher in my book.

After a foreign princess survives a plane crash, she appears before the world insist that she is a Martian and death and doom are coming. Meanwhile the Fairy companions of Mothra hear of the girls prediction and go to meet with her. They soon find that she is right and that the mysterious meteor in he mountains was in fact King Ghidorah the monster that destroyed Mars many years earlier. Realizing that he cannot fight such a creature alone, Mothra calls for the help of Godzilla and Rodan to stop the menacing Ghidorah or watch the rest of the world be a barren wasteland like Mars.

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Few things. What happened to the other Mothra larva? Did it die? How did a television station get the fairies without Mothra coming to tear the city apart to look for them? Why did only one Rodan survive the volcanic eruption? Why do they insist on having Godzilla blow steam the entire time? That last one was a point that I found myself having trouble getting over. I have seen footage of him using the steam breath at other times where it doesn’t bother me as much but when they happened I actually saw that the attack did any damage. Here he uses it on Rodan several times and without any type of effect. Castrating Godzilla’s signature power was a lot to get over.

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Still on the rewatch I was able to find some new aspects about the movie that I found entertaining. Watching Mothra attempt to play with the big boys, was entertaining. He was only a little larva but still found a way of two of offering his aid. When the three come together that they are able to succeed and it really is fun to watch them all fight a common foe. Later films would perfect the style of the monster team up to fight a greater monster, but this was the first time so we have to give it some slack.

The human aspect of this film is also quite interesting drawing aspects from a spy movie. Shindo the police detective trying to protect the possesses princess Saino is very moving. This is especially true as Saino seems hellbent on only spreading the message that Ghidorah is coming. Speaking of hellbent what about her assassins. You would think they would just leave her to get destroyed by the monsters that are lumbering towards the city but no, they are dead set on making sure that the princess is dead this time around. I would also be in the wrong if I didn’t mention the Fairies, who are doing all they can to help mankind despite their previous negative experiences with us. If it weren’t for their efforts, the attack against Ghidorah would never get off the ground.

So a revisit to this film did indeed help me to appreciate it a bit more. I wish I could to this with more films, but I can only do so much. I assure you though the different Godzilla and Gamera films I have reviewed so far on the blog I have seen countless times before. I have lost count of the number of times I rewatched the Gamera trilogy. Still, in the future if someone suggests watching Ghidorah, the three headed monster I won’t be so quick to shutter at the idea.

Rating: D (first time)/ B-(after watch)

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Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster

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Back when you start into your fandom and its all fresh and new, the question of “What should I avoid?” seem ludicrous. Then after you are in any fandom for a decent amount of time and you take time to reflect on everything you have experienced you come to the harsh realization that not everything is sunshine and rainbows. As a Godzilla fan you put up with a lot of inconsistencies in science and the limitations that the studio had to deal with but still find yourself enjoying the movies. Yet once you scrutinize the film and learn what went on behind the scenes, you become aware of how close to greatness a project reached.

After his brother goes missing, Ryota and his friends “borrow” a boat from a man who turns out to be a bank robber and set sail. They soon fall prey to the Ebirah, a giant shrimp who also destroyed Ryota’s brothers boat. Stranded on an island, the unlucky crew finds the island inhabited by a military organization known as Red Bamboo, befriend a runaway island girl and seem hopeless. Their only option: awaken Godzilla who they find sleeping on the island.

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This film makes a lot more sense once you understand it’s background and original concept. You see this film was supposed to star King Kong as the title monster fighting Ebirah. This casting smooths out the questionable moments that the film possesses such as the giant vulture that comes out of nowhere and Ebirahs lack of origin (both of which fit in perfectly if the story had been on Kong’s island of lost gigantic beasts), why the sea monster would actually be a threat (unlike Kong, Godzilla breathes underwater so those scuffles would have more severity to them), and that moment that Godzilla shares with the island girl (because as we all know Kong loves the ladies). Once you think of the movie recast with Kong instead of Godzilla you are presented with a film with a lot more gravity and less plot holes. Unfortunately Toho didn’t get the rights, had to use Godzilla instead, and we are presented with a film where the King of the Monsters doesn’t even break a sweat when dispatching his latest opponent. If they had gotten the rights to use Kong I believe this would have been one of the better outings for the giant ape but sadly this did not come to pass and Ebirah gets owned by Godzilla.

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This film does age well and becomes one of last Godzilla movies I find myself re-watching. The film by itself was never really that impressive and once you know the truth behind it and the recasting, you really can feel where the movie would have been improved with King Kong in the rule and how Godzilla really is just copy and pasted in their to make the film work.

The idea of the Red Bamboo group is interesting as they seem to be plotting something with their nuclear facility (probably global domination) but have picked the worst spot possible. They have to use the local natives they kidnapped off Mothra’s island (that Yuta and Ryota both conveniently end up on) to make formula to fend off Ebirah which is waste of a lot of man hours and power. This movie really doesn’t hold up to scrutinizing at all. Sorry people. I’m not a fan.

Rating: C-

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Ultraman


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Like I said previously I have weaknesses when it comes to the Giant Monster Fandom. Old school giant monster moves took the number three spot on that list and I decided to keep the train going. The second weakest area of GMF (giant monster fandom) is with Ultraman.

A special division of the government, the Science Special Search Patrol (Mostly referred in the series as the Science Patrol) is tasked to investigate weird disturbances around the world. As they go to investigate a crashed meteor, one of there members, Shin Hayata collides with a secondary meteor and almost dies but it turns out that the meteor was in fact a being an energy being who wishes to help to defend the earth. Giving him the Beta Capsule, Shin is able to transform into Ultraman and defend the earth from evil monsters.

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I’ll be blunt. I found this series to be bit dull. This series did have some pretty good moments. The episode with the monster graveyard where the team shows respect for the fallen monsters they have fought and vanquished was actually moving. Unfortunately, this episode it comes after over thirty episodes of the usual formula of investigating a strange phenomenon, it turns out to be a monster, the Science Team tries to stop it but don’t succeed and Shin turns into Ultraman to defeat the monster. Yes there is the classic timer on Ultraman that reminds him he only has three minutes which should add tension to the story but personally I found that little “dinging” over and over again to be incredibly annoying and it comes at some point every episode.

I’m sure others will point out that I’m a big fan of Godzilla and Sentai why do I have such a problem with Ultraman. Most Sentai and Godzilla do have character development to the characters in the series and movies. Ultraman has the old school sitcom feel to it. There isn’t much change or growth in the characters as the series progresses. Things change but once in a great while and the biggest change I can remember is that the kid sidekick became a full fledged member of the Science Patrol.

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This is the only Ultraman series that I have watched all the way through. Its not to say that I will never watch an Ultraman series again or haven’t. I have tried to watch a few others but have yet to watch them to completion. The problem is that I haven’t found “My Ultraman” series. What do I mean about that? Allow me to explain. I’m a big fan of Kamen Rider and the first series I watched was Kamen Rider Blade and was and still is one of my favorite Kamen Rider Series. What I need to do is find an Ultraman series that I enjoy immensely and can look back at and remember “Keep going. The franchise can entertain you as much as I did. Don’t give up on us.” Once I find that series I’ll let you know and write up about it.

Well there you go the second of my weaknesses in the GMF. What’s my biggest weakness? Come back next week and find out.

Rating: B (the monster graveyard episode and Pigmon`s death episode)/ C+ (for the rest of the series)

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Gamera: Revenge of Iris

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Rounding out a trilogy is a very hit or miss task. For every Return of the Jedi or Iron Man 3 there is X-Men: The Last Stand or Batman Forever to compare it to. After the first two movies were incredible there was a lot riding on the third film in the Gamera Heisei Trilogy to be just as impressive. So how does it stack up?

In a flashback, young Ayana watches helplessly as Gamersa destroys her family’s home with her parents inside during his battle with Gyaos in Tokyo. In the present a graveyard of Gamera’s bodies are found and while he attacks two Gyaos, Gamera ends up destroying Shibuya. Seeing this and still fueled by pain and loss Ayana discovers a baby monsters that she calls Iris. Soon little Iris grows big and is absorbing the blood out of helpless victims for nourishment. Meeting in Kyoto Gamera and Iris have an epic showdown but is the recently discovered grave site a bad omen for everyone’s favorite Guardian of the Universe? 968full-gamera-3--the-revenge-of-iris-screenshot

The world continues to spin in the Gamera trilogy and the effects of the previous two films catches up with our characters. Having absorbed Mana to defeat Legion has had devastating consequences causing Gyaos around the world to hatch. The world’s is now in chaos and Gamera is working his butt off trying to keep up. Helping him out we have the return of Dr. Nagamine (who is now a globe trotting Gyaos expert) and Asagi (Gamera’s former priestess and biggest fan). The two women work as a team helping to recruit allies and investigate the claims of a Gyaos mutation (Iris) in efforts to do all they can for Gamera. It’s this incredible attention to detail and world building that make me love the series so much.

A recent viewing of this film reminded me of the insane amount of detail they have done improving upon the characters from the first film. After watching this movie and rewatching a trailer for the first film, it was insane to see all the different changes that the characters went through. The damage the Gyaos go through (especially the one in Shibuya with its eye hanging out) and the more menacing and jagged look that Gamera sports in this film really help to accentuate the darkness and carnage that the film is trying to express. Still, despite his intense new look, Gamera is still trying to do all he can to stop the world from coming under Gyaos’ control. My only major problem is that I don’t get to see the epic fight scene between Gamera and the large flock of Gyaos descending on Japan. That would have been one of the coolest fight scenes ever. Still, I’ve grown comfortable with the way they cap off the story.

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If you can’t tell I love this film just as much as the other two and find the entire trilogy to be some of  the best giant monster action that came out of the 90s. The series gave a new sense of respect and power to a character that had been written off as a joke. Watching him especially defend the Universe from the likes of Gyaos, Legion, and Iris is a joy that I will gladly partake in at the drop of a hat. Again, if you haven’t taken the time to watch these films yet, stop depriving yourself. If you are reading this blog then I guarantee you that you will enjoy watching these three films. So ends my discussion of the Gamera Heisei trilogy. This won’t be the last of our green flying butt kicker though. I’ll eventually go back and review his past films and the one that followed this. Still, my fingers are crossed that the new film that will come out in the near future taps into the roots set forth by this trilogy.

RATING: A-

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Gojira


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While getting the materials for this entry, I discovered that there is a French Heavy Metal band known as Gojira who actually wanted to be called Godzilla first but faced a copyright violation and had to chance it. It makes me want to look some of their music up and give it a listen. Maybe later though, I have a much bigger task at hand.

After a fishing boat is destroyed near Oda island, investigators soon discover that the weather had nothing to do with the destruction that has been plaguing the island. Instead, the islanders watch as the head of a giant monster they call Gojira raises its head from over the mountain and bellows his oncoming destruction. The result of a nuclear test, this fearsome creature is a force of nature that no man made force has any ability to take down. Only the recluse Dr. Serizawa holds the key to defeating the creature and victory will not come without a sacrifices.

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For anyone who sees the later movies of Godzilla that were more geared towards children (Godzilla vs. Megalon, Godzilla’s Revenge) will immediately recognize the difference in atmosphere that htis movie possesses compared to what came after it. Gojira is a serious and powerful anti-nuclear war film. It makes it a point to showcase that the monster is the result of man’s foolishness and the ramification that come from believing that we have the ability to control all that their is in life when we are very insignificant against the destructive force of nature. This film is definitely geared more towards the more mature Kaiju fan who isn’t simply watching the film to enjoy the explosions and cool monster fight scenes.

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One of two most polarizing scenes in the movie is as the children’s choir calls for peace as they camera scrolls across the destruction that was caused by Godzilla’s rampage. Its chilling and you feel the blight of the people as they call out for help to save them. The other scene which has been forever etched into my memory is the scene where Dr. Serizawa realizes that his weapon, the Oxygen Destroyer is far too powerful to exist in the world and will only create as much destruction as Godzilla would and sacrifices himself only after telling his fiancee to be happy with the man she has chosen to love. Like I said this isn’t the type of Godzilla movie most people are used to watching.

This film would later be turned into Godzilla King of the monsters thanks to additional scenes with Raymond Burr as an American Reporter named Steve Martin. Many American fans have probably watched this version but may not have taken the time to track down the original Gojira. For those who wish to elevate themselves to be a more well read and knowledgeable Kaiju fan, finding this version of the film and watching it is a must. I highly recommend you watch it and I dare you not to feel something during the ending.

Rating: A

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Gamera: Advent of Legion

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Making a sequel can be hard. The ability to accurately capture the magic that fans saw in the first film while at the same time moving the characters that were introduced forward in an emotional and soulful way is no easy feat to pull off. The Kaiju genre is not immune to this struggle of recreating a second in a series. Luckily for us, Gamers 2: Advent (Attack) of Legion succeeded to make a movie as good if not better then Guardian of the Universe. I know that ADV first and Mill Creek Entertainment as the continued to release kept calling the movie Attack of Legion but I knew it as Advent of Legion and personally think that’s the better title. Hence the review name.

After a meteorite crashes to earth but can’t be found afterward, scientists are quick to discover that the object was in actuality a hive of a mysterious creature that becomes known as Legion. The Legion’s mission is to spread themselves all over the universe by launching seeds that have the power to destroy entire towns as they erupt. Realizing the destructive nature of these beings from beyond the stars, Gamera appears and destroys their first seed. The large army of Legion soon gets the better of our shelled warrior and soon he finds himself outmatched. Will Gamera be able to find new strength and take down these evil planet destroying insects?

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New giant monsters in movies is always a welcoming site. When things started to tip for Toho during the Heisei period they went the safe route and brought the classic monsters back to fight Godzilla instead of having any more new creatures. Not so with Gamera. After the first movie with his classic fight against Gyaos, they made sure to have a brand new baddie ready to mix things up. The Legion designs both the small and “Queen” model are truly menacing from the moment they appear on screen and remain that way until the last one is dead as bug on the windshield. Even when the creatures are laid out and thoroughly explained on what makes them tick they still somehow are able to retain a feeling of dread every time they are on screen.

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Ayako Fujitani returns once again as Asagi. Though Gamera seemed to disconnect her from the pain he feels at the end of the first movie, she still holds onto her amulet, believing that Gamera can still her thoughts and her cheers to never give up. The deep devotion the young girl has for Gamera would put her on the top 10 list of some of the best Kaiju and Human relationships that have ever graced the screen. Still don’t believe me, then take a look at the scene with the wound on her and where she insists its nothing as Gamera has already bleed for everyone. If that’s not devotion I don’t know what is.

Yes, I know I’m gushing again but I really can’t help it. The Gamera Heisei Trilogy is just so awesome that I can’t help but want to tell everyone about it. For those of you out there who haven’t shown this trilogy to anyone, first shame on you but second you have to! Think about it. Remember the final attack that Gamera used in the film and how awesome it was to witness. If you don’t show people this movie they will never see that attack and realize for themselves just how jaw dropping that scene is. Go on! Grab someone and movie marathon all three of films.

Rating: A

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Gamera: Guardian of the Universe

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I almost feel bad at times when I tell others about the Gamera 90s trilogy. I mean I have proudly proclaimed in more than one occasion to be a huge Godzilla fan but I can’t help but say that these three movies are the best Kaiju films that came out of the 90s. I just can’t help but want to praise these three films for being a cut above the traditional Kaiju genre.  Especially when you take a moment to look back at the comically campy movies the giant turtle was in during the Showa period. Despite that I have a yearly tradition of watching the trilogy and seeing its flaws and problems repeatedly it still holds up as some of my favorite Kaiju movies. Sorry Godzilla.

The film opens with a Japanese Plutonium ship hitting a mysterious atoll while at almost the same time an entire village is destroyed with only cryptic message that “it’s a bird” over the radio. As investigation teams set out to discover the truth behind these events and only to realize that the atoll is the monster Gamera and the “bird” on the island is the deadly creature Gyaos. Believing the Gyaos to be a lost race that needs protection the humans try to capture them whole exterminating Gamera. Meanwhile young Asagi Kusinagi is given a relic that allows her to connect to Gamera’s heart and feel his pain. Together the two most overcome the government’s efforts to protect the wrong monster and stop the world from falling under Gyaos’ shadow.

The modernization to Gamera makes nods to his origins by presenting him as both a destructive force and a defender all in the same movie. By showcasing that he just happens to destroy everything that’s in his way on his path to kill the Gyaos even though he has the best intentions in mind. A recent fact that has been pointed out about this trilogy us that no one ever calls Gamera a turtle. In fact the director has apparently gone on record saying that the idea us that in the movie universe there are no turtles and that is why he is never referee to as such. Interesting little tidbit there.04gamera3
The star of the movie is young Ayako Fujitani in her first acting role shows a lot of devotion for the giant Kaiju. Her devotion puts her on the list of some of the best females in Kaiju series if not one of the best human characters in all of Giant Monster Movies. Also, another interesting fat, she is Steven Segals daughter.

The Gyaos new look for the trilogy is incredibly more menacing then most other evil Kaiju can be. Sure bad guys like King Ghidora or Megalon will fly around and destroy buildings with their blasts but they isn’t nearly as intimidating as a gluttonous monster who has pieces of its victims falling out of its mouth as it struggles to chew. This cupped with the fact the creature can asexually reproduce much like the 90s Godzilla makes them a force to truly be afraid of.

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Probably one of my favorite moments in this film is the atmospheric reentry struggle between Gamera and Gyaos. The measures that Gyaos takes to escape from his eminent demise is truly impressive. If you can’t tell by now I highly recommend this film and it’s two sequels which I’ll work on writing up the reviews on soon. Basically if you take anything away from this review know that this blog highly endorses that you see these movie s to call yourself a true Kaiju fan.

Rating: A