Unsurprisingly, after the huge success that “Gamera vs. Guiron” proved to be, the failing film company was quick to grab onto the cash cow that the giant turtle series turned to be and commission another installment. This time, though, there was a sponsor in the face of the 1970 World Expo in Osaka. This brought a much bigger budget (35 million yen as opposed to 20 million for the previous installment) and for the first time in a couple of films, a plot that does not include aliens.
Western Islands, 1970. A group of scientists finds a large whistle-shaped monument and decides to bring it to Expo 70 in Osaka, despite the protests the of country’s elders. This awakes the giant monster Jiger who despite Gamera’s try to stop it, arrives in Japan and obliterates half of Osaka. During one of the fights between the two behemoths, Jiger pierces Gamera...
Western Islands, 1970. A group of scientists finds a large whistle-shaped monument and decides to bring it to Expo 70 in Osaka, despite the protests the of country’s elders. This awakes the giant monster Jiger who despite Gamera’s try to stop it, arrives in Japan and obliterates half of Osaka. During one of the fights between the two behemoths, Jiger pierces Gamera...
- 8/19/2020
- by martin
- AsianMoviePulse
After the commercial success of “Gamera vs. Barugon” Daei Film continued its Gamera-franchise in the following year with “Gamera vs. Gyaos”, following the popular concept of a battle between two huge monsters, which had also worked quite well for the Godzilla movies. Apart from being the third entry into the series, the feature also marks the return of director Noriaki Yuasa to the story of the giant turtle which he significantly helped making it into the success it was for the studio. Besides this notable change, “Gamera vs Gyaos” also returned the series to its roots with its story clearly marketed at a younger audience, in particular children. Nevertheless, it still continues its theme of human greed as one of the main motivation of especially the adult characters, albeit with a different approach than its predecessor.
After a series of severe volcanic eruptions in Japan, Gamera re-appears,...
After a series of severe volcanic eruptions in Japan, Gamera re-appears,...
- 8/12/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
After the huge commercial success of “Gamera, the Giant Monster” it was only a matter of time before Daei Film would continue their series of films featuring the giant creature which was originally meant as a way to compete with Toei Studios and their successful Godzilla-franchise. Even though directing duties went to experienced director Shigeo Tanaka, according to IMDb, Noriaki Yuasa, who helmed the first movie, is also mentioned as director for “Gamera vs. Barugon”, possibly due to the stock footage from the first used here. Another change is the switch from black-and-white to color as well as, considering the second film was granted a higher budget, more advanced special effects, which is especially relevant for the battle between the two monsters and the miniature effects throughout. Besides being a better movie with regard to technology, “Gamera vs. Barugon” tells a story about greed and how much chaos this...
- 8/8/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Due to the huge commercial success of the Godzilla-films, produced by rival production company Toho, Daei Film wanted to create their own monster franchise. Director Noriaki Yuasa, who was originally set to direct a film involving killer rats, whose production was on halt, went on to helm the first Gamera-movie: “Gamera, the Giant Monster”. Over the years, the giant, pre-historic turtle, much like Godzilla, became cultural icon, featured in 12 films as well as comic books, manga and video games. With the upcoming release of all Daei’s entries by Arrow Video, we may take a look back at the first story involving the giant monster, a story about a vision of a world where a common cause was seen as something which would unite enemies and science could deliver that vision of harmony.
The story begins in the Arctic when the crash of an unknown aircraft causes a nuclear blast,...
The story begins in the Arctic when the crash of an unknown aircraft causes a nuclear blast,...
- 8/7/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Gamera vs. Zigra / Gamera Super Monster Directed by: Noriaki Yuasa Written by: Nisan Takahashi Starring: Kôji Fujiyama, Daigo Inoue and Reiko Kasahara / Mach Fumiake, Yaeko Kojima and Yoko Komatsu Depending on who you are and what your past Gamera experience is like, Gamera Super Monster could be the single greatest giant monster epic ever. How could it not be? Gamera challenges six foes, goes on his own rampage, and saves the planet from something that looks like, but is certainly not due to legal issues, a Star Destroyer. The true Gamera fans are groaning though, knowing that nearly every single clip from the film is stock footage from of the previous Gamera outings, and the new footage is so cheaply done, it's to the point of unwatchable. Fast forwarding past the sheer nonsense that is presented here as narrative, (filled with so many glaring plot holes, logic gaps, and absurdities...
- 3/22/2011
- by Matt P.
- FilmJunk
When I was a kid and I saw Gamera Vs. Barugon for the first time, I was a bit confused. Not by the film itself, but I had to ask my uncle if this Barugon was the same as the Baragon that battled rival Godzilla. My uncle looked at me, smiled and said some words that still stick with me to this day. He said, “You know way too much about films. You’ve learned well and will probably surpass me soon enough.” Cut to 20 some odd years later and I’m giving my uncle tips on which films he needs to check out. So when I told him I was reviewing Gamera Vs. Barugon, the second film in the classic Gamera series, he patted me on the shoulder and said he couldn’t wait to read it.
On to the review at hand, Barugon is a great creature for Gamera to battle.
On to the review at hand, Barugon is a great creature for Gamera to battle.
- 8/6/2010
- by James McCormick
- CriterionCast
Gamera vs. Barugon Directed by: Shigeo Tanaka Written by: Nisan Takahashi Starring: Koji Fujiyama, Kojiro Hongo, Kyoko Enami, Takuya Fujioka Barugon is the most grounded monster in the original Showa Gamera series, a beast that shoots ice from the tip of its tongue and a rainbow from its back. That says something for what was to come next. It's important that Barugon (not to be confused with rival Toho's creation Baragon) provides something to look at, something that makes him interesting, because he dominates this film. Despite the title, the infamous flying, flame-spitting terrapin Gamera is physically on-screen for all of about ten minutes the entire movie. In fact, the opening sequence, detailing Gamera's escape from the Z-Plan rocket used to remove him from the planet in the original film, is all rather pointless in terms of story and progress, although it is quite a sight. Arriving back on Earth,...
- 7/29/2010
- by Matt P.
- FilmJunk
Gamera: The Giant Monster Directed by: Noriaki Yuasa Written by: Nisan Takahashi Starring: Yoshiro Uchida, Michiko Sugata, Eiji Funakoshi, Harumi Kiritachi For all of its crudeness, Gamera is genuinely effective, if only sporadically. For his first appearance on the mainland, Gamera quietly sneaks up on Toshio (Yoshiro Uchida) who is casually lying on a hill. He dips out of view as Toshio turns around, only to appear behind Toshio a few seconds later. Say what you will about the questionable lack of sound. How a 200-meter tall, radioactive turtle walks around without so much as snapping a twig is anyone’s guess, but the scene’s eerie effectiveness is proof that director Noriaki Yuasa put forth a valiant effort. Daiei Studio’s Godzilla clone is fairly shameless in its knock-off status, copying much of the formula, and even the style. Despite being released in 1965, Gamera is shot in black & white,...
- 5/25/2010
- by Matt P.
- FilmJunk
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