by MrShape666 » Fri Dec 21, 2007 6:09 pm
I've got an import DVD of this film. I've got a couple region free players. I don't know if I like it enough to buy it again on a region 1 DVD.
I have mixed feelings about this film. One thing you've gotta understand is that I'm not a hardcore Gamera fan. I like the Kaneko films. Of the original series I only like the first one and Gamera Vs. Baragon. As for rest of the Yuasa cannon, well, the only time I watch them is when I'm in the same kinda mood that will get me to watch Plan 9 From Outer Space again.
Stacked up against the Kaneko trilogy, Gamera The Brave was bitter disapointment. Gone is the badass monster, replaced by what looks like a plush toy. Great special effects but by reducing Gamera back to a kiddie film, we no longer have the competitor to Godzilla that us fans of the Kaneko movies know and love. The Gamera trilogy upped the ante for monster movies and forced Toho to work harder to compete. For the first time, Gamera was truelly the equivelent of Godzilla as a kaiju. With this film, he doesn't even reach the knees of Toho's lastest Godzilla incarnations.
On the plus side, as children's movies go, this is actually pretty damn good. And lots better the films Yuasa churned out. Part of the reason is that directer Ryuta Tazaki and writer Yukari Tatsui treat their child charcters like real people. Having to make dicisions on their own and wrestling with issues of loss ect. For the most part, Yuasa only required that his children be cute. The film was actually fun, but it's a pale shaddow of the kinda of quality Kaneko gave to the character.
And giving Gamera the name "Toto" . . . ? I keep hearing Margaret Hamilton cackeling "I'll get you my pretty! And your giant fire breathing turtle, too."
This is THE SHAPE speaking.