Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

by **kiryugoji04** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:42 pm

I think now would be a great time to post this production photo from Higuchi's Facebook:

Two words: DAT SET. :eek:

by **king_ghidorah** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:51 pm

by **planetxleader** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:16 pm

by **MekaGojira3k** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 9:52 pm

by **kiryugoji04** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:44 am

by **king_ghidorah** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:52 am

by **jellydonut25** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:23 am

by **TripMasterMunky** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:58 am

by **Dr Kain** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:42 pm

by **lhb412** » Mon Sep 03, 2012 12:16 pm

I originally posted this in the "Just Finished Watching" thread, but thought it better suited here.

Gamera: Guardian of the Universe

This was my favorite movie ever when I was 12. It seems that I watched that ADV vhs tape every other day. I thought it was cool and modern and the next step in evolution for these kinds of films. Now my appreciation has dimmed somewhat. The Atlantis genetic engineering origins for the kaiju seemed so cool and modern at the time, but now when I see the scenes explaining it I feel it's not much different then the gobledygook in a '70s film (though the "Gyaos can be both sexes at once" discovery is the exception. I rather like that scene). The psychic link between Gamera and Asagi is the same way, and I wonder if if this specific film could have done without it... of course, both these things have great payoffs later on in this trilogy, and that goes a long way towards smoothing over the rough patches of this one.

But the thing about this film is that it's got so much more ambition and stylish than the other kaiju films being produced in the '90s (and '00s, for that matter). I may have some criticisms with this film, but when compared to the stale kaiju films Toho was putting in the '90s this film is Citizen Kane! The actors deliver memorable performances and create well-rounded characters the likes of which we haven't really seen since the '60, and the direction and photography is so much slicker. The special effects aren't anywhere near as good as they would become in the next two films, but the best ones blow away anything done with Godzilla (or Mothra) at around the same time and even the ones that don't work out are still dynamically staged and just plain fun to look at.

All and all, the film comes off as a refreshing tribute to '60s kaiju films made by people who really understand them as opposed to just going through the motions.

Also, the lingering shots at the scale models may offer some of those 'least realistic effects,' but darn if I don't enjoy those closeups of such detailed pieces of art!

Funny. I always thought the 'Guardian of the Universe' bit was ADV's invention later taken up by the Japanese, but there it is in English in the Japanese opening title card!

by **king_ghidorah** » Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:11 pm

by **MekaGojira3k** » Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:13 pm

by **king_ghidorah** » Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:21 pm

by **MekaGojira3k** » Tue Sep 04, 2012 11:12 am

by **metal_bryan** » Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:36 pm

by **MekaGojira3k** » Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:05 pm

While G2 is infinitely better, GOTU is still a lot of fun. G3 is the only one of the Gamera trilogy that I don't watch much anymore.

Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

Gamera: Guardian of the Universe Talkback

Who is online