The Basics: The building of a new highway accidently awakens an ancient, carnivorous bat-like monster who threatens to devour all of Japan! Thankfully, Gamera, newly taking up the mantle of "The Friend of all Children" is here to save everyone...with the help of some insanely odd science/ blood bath merry go-round.
The Plot:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamera_vs._Gyaos
Acting: The real stand-out for me here is once again Kojiro Hongo. This guy should be in every Gamera movie ever!
Kaiju:
Gamera: Ah, this is pretty much the classic Showa Gamera. A little softer looking than in the previous film but still menacing ish. He's not really as cute as he is later in the series. The 67' suit I think is THE Showa suit.
Gyaos: One of my favorite kaiju!! This guy is awesome (cooler than Rodan
) and deviously evil! I love it
.
Spfx: Great! Not very many minatures but it's a practical buffet compared to the next film. The effects used to bring both kaiju to life are excellent and in my mind...a highlight of the Showa era.
The Other Stuff:
-I wonder if anyone will ever use Gyaos' mist/ powder retardant spray again in a film? I think it's pretty cool and creepy, I imagine it suffocates the fire by taking O2 out of the air...so it could be used against people as well.
-One of my favorite Gamera films. The film's message about leaving the forest alone combined with the more childish elements makes me think of a Miyazaki film.
-I love the scene where Gyaos is growing back his toes and the rock falls on his wound..his reaction is priceless. You don't see things like that in Godzilla films (not a bad thing, just different)
-I love the score...in particular the scene where Gamera is flying to boy back to his parents early in the film...it's both a happy song as well as sad...seems to say without using anywords that Gamera's existance is a lonely one...
-Blood Bath Merry Go-Round FTW!!