056 4 Gamera returns in this very entertaining movie . This is the best of the series , even though that's not saying much . the original series was so bad it could only be enjoyed as camp . This film has some great effects , tending to go for a more realistic look than the more colorful style of the Godzilla Movies . Both approaches are great , just different . The films plot is quite unoriginal however . The basic plot is the same as EVERY gamera film . Bad monster appears , Gamera appears . Big fight . Gamera seems dead , and when all seems lost Gamera returns an wins after much Green blood is spilled . Gamera flies away as people yell goodbye . The End . It is better constructed than other Gamera films , but still too similar . It also borrows plot elements from the new Godzilla series , Jurrasic Park , The unfilmed screenplay for Tri-Stars Godzilla , even 2001 ( the slab is burried in Gamera much like the monolith on the moon was in 2001 ) . The film also has some real absurd ideas , such as Gamera floating around unseen for years , and his being created by the citizens of Atlantis , ( they must have been drunk the night they invented THIS ! ! ! ) The film does have some terrific action sequences , I only wish the filmakers tried to be more ORIGINAL ! ! . The girls psychic connection to Gamera is WAY too similar to Miki's Connection to Godzilla in the 1990s Godzilla films.All in all an enjoyable film , but not quite the triumph that some would like to make it out to be .
005 4 To me , with a lot of the 90 ' s Godzilla movies , the special effects and especially the miniatures don't look as good as they did in the classic 60 ' s Godzilla movies . But with the 90 ' s Gamera , EVERYTHING is better . The FX , the miniatures , the pacing , the story , the action - - it's all excellent . If you have any affection at all for Japanese giant monster movies , then you will definitely enjoy Gamera , Guardian of the Universe . And , this ADV release is widescreen , has optional subtitles and is full of extras and behind the scenes stuff . Highly recommended .
037 4 Those expecting the goofy Gamera of old will be delighted to know that this film is miles better than all of the classic Gamera series . Director Shusuke Kaneko , a man of extensive talent and vision , has created a fantastic kaiju film for both die-hard fans and the uninitiated viewer . Great pain is taken to lend believability to the monsters as well as to the story . The spfx are awesome ; actually some of the best work since Tsubaraya . The miniatures , models , and pyrotechnics all exhibit a perfectionist's care in their execution . Good , well-developed characters and a good score all help to create an enjoyable viewing experience . Though not the best kaiju film ever made ( the story is very much a reworking of classic Gamera scenarios , and you would have to literally deliver the moon to beat such classic gems as Godzilla , Ghidrah , the 3 - Headed Monster and Monster Zero ) , Gamera is an excellent film that does any kaiju fanatic proud !
038 4 this movie is a great movie for saturday afternoon . i like this movie because it has wire frame special effects and movements and amazing sound effects.gamera is a cool turtle . plot is not important in monster movies but i did like the dramatic introduction - when gamera popped out of the ocean and rampages in the night . it gives a dark , scary feeling .
040 4 A giant , fireball-spitting , rocket powered flying turtle up against a bio-engineered electric bat which eats humans ? That's what I thought when I heard about Gamera : The Guardian of the Universe . But I think it's one of the best movies ever , taking its place in my heart alongside Mystery Science Theater 3000 : The Movie and Godzilla vs . King Ghidorah . There's only one problem : the scene where the Navy guy . . . cooks DINNER . . . FOR THIS INVESTIGATION GUY AND HIS DAUGTHER . . . JUST SO HE CAN GET ON THE RESEARCH TEAM THAT'S CHECKING OUT THE ATOLL ( Gamera ) ? ! AAAAARRRGH ! But apart from that , the movie is excellent . The FX is supreme , especially Gamera's absorbsion of the fireball that supposedly kills him . GET THIS MOVIE NOW ! ! !
043 4 I was predisposed to dislike this movie - considering the way remakes ( witness Godzilla ! ) come out , but I am really , really glad I got it . Gamera doesn't have his little pet boy anymore , instead he has a linked girl ! Tokyo still gets flattened , gamera still flies with his ' foot jets ' , everyone ( finally ) still agrees he is a good guy . But I could have told them that . END
049 4 Being a long time fan of this movie genre , I had to see Guardian . I was not disappointed ! The first and most obvious plus for me was the sound . SURROUND SOUND ! If only my classic Godzilla flicks where in surround . The visual effects where very good as well , while still retaining the rubber suit look I have come to know and love . I can hardly wait for the release of Gamera 3 . Turtle Power !
050 4 Way better then the first series . Much better then the Godzilla movies . The giant turtle is geared up for the 90 ' s . Gamera , guardian of the universe is MUCH better then Gamera vs . Gaos ( 1967 ) . If you like giant monster movies buy or rent Gamera , guardian of the universe . * I can't wait till Gamera 2 - Legion attack comes out in the U.S.A .
060 4 I love all kinds of Godzilla Movies but when I seen this movie I was shocked ! This Movie is a sorry excuse of Monster Movies !
Gamera . Gamera was the most popular of these , most likely because it appealed largely to children ( outside of Gamera vs . Barugon , which may have been the best of the older series . ) By and large , the Gamera series was a joke . With cheap , often-poorly designed costumes , poor and predictable plots , and an over-reliance on Gamera , Hero of the Children , it's amazing it went on for as long as it did .
In 1995 , Gamera : Guardian of the Universe was released , with a completely different approach . This new Gamera , directed by Shusuke Kaneko , abandons the old plotline , as Godzilla 1985 did with the Godzilla series , and brings the audience into a new , darker Gamera , relying on myth rather than children .
The story begins when a Japanese vessel carrying radioactive material runs aground in the middle of the sea . A mysterious floating atoll has been found and is heading towards Japan . On an island elsewhere , Dr . Nagamine has discovered a giant species of birds that have eaten the entire population of the island and one of her fellow scientists . Back at the atoll , a science team led by Professor Kusanagi finds many comma-shaped stones on the atoll , as well as a large 2001 - esque monolith buried in it . When the professor's assistant touches the monolith , it breaks apart , as does the atoll . Back with the birds , the Japanese government stages a plan to capture them as an endangered species , but their efforts are thwarted when Gamera , the creature within the atoll , arrives to destroy the creatures himself .
The beginning of the movie is very disjointed , thus the shaky plot summary . However , once the two halves meet , the rest is solid , involving the confused Japanese government trying to capture the birds and defeat Gamera , Gamera's origins as a bio-weapon in Atlantis , and professor Kusanagi's daughter , Asagi , who provides a human link to Gamera and an homage to the giant turtle's earlier role .
If it's different from the older movies , then it must have better special effects , right ? At the point of this film being made , Gamera had never looked better ( though the sequels continued to improve his look . ) His flying saucer flight looks spectacular with CG flames , though his half-jet flying won't look good until the next film . The suit is also a bit fatter than in the old series , which is good , since turtle's don't have flat shells . The birds are based on the old Gyaos from the old series , and while they look very good , they're still clearly hand-puppets and marionettes . There are also several other effects with missiles explosions , and the Gyaos's laser .
The music is good as well . While a little hokey at times , the main theme fits wonderfully with Gamera .
While the movie itself manages to reach Godzilla's level of achievement , the DVD far surpasses it . Most Godzilla discs are complete bare-bones ; some don't even have chapter-stops . ADV has included making-of featurettes , videos of opening night , a Japanese language track with subtitles ( as well as the dub ) , and a multitude of other goodies . It's everything a fan could want . And there happens to be this box set out . While it's a little more expensive than the movie by itself , it's nice to have a small case for when you get all three films .
And after seeing this one , you will want the rest . A very good kaiju film , high above Gamera's usual standards , and the best is still to come .
001 4 Long ago , back when there were plenty of Godzilla-ripoffs , there was one series that stood above the rest : Gamera . Gamera was the most popular of these , most likely because it appealed largely to children ( outside of Gamera vs . Barugon , which may have been the best of the older series . ) By and large , the Gamera series was a joke . With cheap , often-poorly designed costumes , poor and predictable plots , and an over-reliance on Gamera , Hero of the Children , it's amazing it went on for as long as it did .
In 1995 , Gamera : Guardian of the Universe was released , with a completely different approach . This new Gamera , directed by Shusuke Kaneko , abandons the old plotline , as Godzilla 1985 did with the Godzilla series , and brings the audience into a new , darker Gamera , relying on myth rather than children .
The story begins when a Japanese vessel carrying radioactive material runs aground in the middle of the sea . A mysterious floating atoll has been found and is heading towards Japan . On an island elsewhere , Dr . Nagamine has discovered a giant species of birds that have eaten the entire population of the island and one of her fellow scientists . Back at the atoll , a science team led by Professor Kusanagi finds many comma-shaped stones on the atoll , as well as a large 2001 - esque monolith buried in it . When the professor's assistant touches the monolith , it breaks apart , as does the atoll . Back with the birds , the Japanese government stages a plan to capture them as an endangered species , but their efforts are thwarted when Gamera , the creature within the atoll , arrives to destroy the creatures himself .
The beginning of the movie is very disjointed , thus the shaky plot summary . However , once the two halves meet , the rest is solid , involving the confused Japanese government trying to capture the birds and defeat Gamera , Gamera's origins as a bio-weapon in Atlantis , and professor Kusanagi's daughter , Asagi , who provides a human link to Gamera and an homage to the giant turtle's earlier role .
If it's different from the older movies , then it must have better special effects , right ? At the point of this film being made , Gamera had never looked better ( though the sequels continued to improve his look . ) His flying saucer flight looks spectacular with CG flames , though his half-jet flying won't look good until the next film . The suit is also a bit fatter than in the old series , which is good , since turtle's don't have flat shells . The birds are based on the old Gyaos from the old series , and while they look very good , they're still clearly hand-puppets and marionettes . There are also several other effects with missiles explosions , and the Gyaos's laser .
The music is good as well . While a little hokey at times , the main theme fits wonderfully with Gamera .
While the movie itself manages to reach Godzilla's level of achievement , the DVD far surpasses it . Most Godzilla discs are complete bare-bones ; some don't even have chapter-stops . ADV has included making-of featurettes , videos of opening night , a Japanese language track with subtitles ( as well as the dub ) , and a multitude of other goodies . It's everything a fan could want . And there happens to be this box set out . While it's a little more expensive than the movie by itself , it's nice to have a small case for when you get all three films .
And after seeing this one , you will want the rest . A very good kaiju film , high above Gamera's usual standards , and the best is still to come .
002 4 First , you must be a fan of this Genre ' . With that understood , this new take on the old Gamera vs . Gaos movie is truely a 5 - star effort .
The special effects were suprisingly good . Still using rubber suits and beutifully detailed models , this movie keeps the old charm . And now , the tasteful use of Digital effects for Gamera's Fire Ball Breath and Jets , brings this movie into the nineties .
It is enjoyable and fun for kids young and old . I recommend it highly to all fans .
003 4 This is definitely not your parents ' Gamera . Completely gone are the cheesy , low-budget SFX of the Daeie 60 ' s . Quite simply , the new suitmation techniques flat out blow the Godzilla Heisei series out of the water . . . and this is a die-hard Godzilla fan saying that . The new effects are positively magnificent . . . a lot of Hollywood SFX artists who are going CGI-happy should take a long , hard look at this film , as well as its two sequels ( Gamera 2 : The Attack Of The Legion is also available here in the States ) . . . they would learn a LOT . Both Gamera and his arch-rival Gyaos look positively terrific , and their rampages of destruction are first-rate . And a funny surprise is Steven Seagal's Japanese daughter as Asagi , the girl who psychically links with Gamera . . . she has ten times the acting talent of dear old Dad . This is a must-see for sci-fi fans of all sorts .
004 4 I've always liked Gamera . His early films were a little silly , but they had a certain charm . It's inevitable that Gamera gets compared to Godzilla , and I think that's a real shame . Both are great monsters with very different styles . Godzilla is the Terminator of the kaiju scene . He's an unstoppable force with very little finesse . But Gamera is the kung fu master of giant monsters . Like watching a Jackie Chan film , you never know what quite to expect .
This first film of the new series is damn impressive . The story is clever . And Gamera's new origin makes him a good guy , so we're rooting for him in a way we rarely get to with Godzilla . But what makes or breaks a kaiju film for me is the fights .
This has some great ones , full of twists and turns . More than once did I wait in sheer suspense as I wondered how Gamera would defeat his foe , and I was blown away with his eventual triumph . ( Hope that doesn't ruin the movie , but I assumed everyone already knows he's gonna win in the end . )
The next two films in this series are every bit as worthwhile . So I say it's a big universe . Big enough for Godzilla and Gamera to coexist peacefully . Of course they are giant monsters , and monsters tend to fight .
Gamera vs Godzilla ? Never gonna happen . But wouldn't it be cool ?
007 4 This 1995 film is as I see it a totally new approach , to the Japanese giant rubber monster genre . This film has a tight script , a heavy soundtrack and is cut in a faster pace than the Godzilla films of the 90s ( And Godzilla 2000 for that matter ) . I've watched this film over and over , and I still enjoy it as much as the first time I saw it !
The origin of Gamera has been rewritten in this first film in the new series ( G2 1997 , G3 1999 ) ; Gamera is not an ancient race of giant turtles , that has accidently been awaken by nuclear testing - He's / She is some leftover biotech weapon from the anchient civilazation of Atlantis ! He's left as an guardian against the people of Atlantis biggest biotech blunder ; The Gyaos !
The story ; A population of Gyaos have hatched on a island . The islanders and a professor and his team gets eaten . A huge floating atoll is found in the pacific - Is there a connection ?
The Gyaos move in towards the Japan mainland , and attempt is made to capture the creatures . The Atoll inreases speed towards this location , Gamera arises in the harbour - The battle can begin !
A very enjoyable movie ! Contains not so much digital effects as the later Gamera films - The gyaos for instance look very rubbery . But Gamera new flame trower is impressive . It's also fun to see him do the real Kaju thing ; Wreck the tokyo tower . . .
The most remembered line in this film ; I would like to take you out , in a monster free Tokyo . . .
This dubbed version has a more pumped up sound track then the subtitled version .
Looking for Gamera 2 and 3 ?
In Japan a Dvd box has been released , containing G1 / G2 / G3 that carry English subtitles . Japanese Dvd : s does however have a region 2 coding . Try to find Cd Japan , Japanese site , in English - That's all info I can give here
008 4 This was a great film , I love Gamera and all monster Kaiju , and I picked this up at Hollywood video out of plain curiosity . I loved it , the final battle scene was amazing and Gamera was very impressive . All in all this is a film for all true giant kaiju lovers , it's great , but in my opinion Gamera is no Godzilla . I highly prefer Godzilla over Gamera but this was a great film .
009 4 Before I review the importance of this film , allow me to digress .
Why is a film that incorporates CGI considered to have better special effects than effects done using minitures and costumes ? To this point , within a couple frames :
a You can tell immediately if a creature is done in CGI .
b You can tell immediately if a creature is a costume .
In both cases , the effect is ineffective in that you know it's a special effect . Something either looks convincing , that is real and you can't identify the technique used to create it , or it does not . It's a boolean thing . Having said that , the Japanese effects tradition of using minitures and costumes is as equally unconvincing as CGI - however , the live action style is more vivid , and interesting . I prefer the elaborate minitures , costumes , and physical effects and find them far , far , more entertaining than something produced on a laptop with a 3D software package .
Secondly , realize that most Japanese kaiju flicks are done on a 10 million dollar budget . It was amazing in the 60 ' s as it is now that an effects film can be realized at all with such a paltry budget . The shooting schedule of this films is also break-neck .
The reason this Gamera film is important is that it re-defined a genre . Many films and filmmakers try , few succeed . It's The Unforgiven ( western ) or The Excorsist ( horror ) of kaiju .
Most negative reviews of this film cite effects techniques and dubbing ( it's nearly impossible to accurately dub english / japanese it's a different language , of course the lips won't synch . . . ) These reviewer are xenophobic .
In summary , Gamera is an IMPORTANT film as it redifined an entire genre . Critics who point to effects technics and dubbing are xenophobic . Long live minitures and rubber suits ! The Japanese ( not the US ) make the best anime and big bug , saturday matinee sci fi from the 50 ' s to today .
010 4 Gamera : GOTU is wonderful , modern approach to the monster movie . By starting with the first discovery of the monster , it allows the world to be much closer to ours . There is no 50 year history to reinvent or rewrite . There are no Maser Beam Tanks to be destroyed . The movie is about what happens to people when monsters are discovered today .
This movie has a great attention to detail : all of the hardware used by Japan is accurate and modern , monsters showing up effecting commodities and stocks , background characters , the construction of the miniture buildings , etc .
The special effects are second to the story , and not the reverse . This is a great improvement over many modern Hollywood movies .
For those curious if Gamera or Godzilla is the better series , the answer is simple . Take a Saturday and rent this movie and Godzilla Vs . Destroyer or Godzilla Vs . MechaGodzilla . With this fine double feature , comparing the least of the modern Gameras movies vs the best of the modern Godzillas , a personal preference will develop . My money's on your money going to the turtle .
011 4 As most people know Gamera or Gammera as he was first known was the friend of children back in the sixties and the main competitor to Godzilla . Now Gamera is back and better than ever . No longer is he fodder for the boys at MST3K .
Today Gamera is the Guardian of the Universe . In the movie Gamera must protect Japan and ultimately the world from the invasion of 3 flying , flesh-eating lizards . Gamera the massive turtle quickly eliminates two of these , but then fights the third in a massive oil refinery show down .
The primary difference between this movie and the modern Godzilla movies is that the special effects are actually something to look at . For example Gamera flies numerous times and it somehow looks believable unlike the Gamera of yesteryear where you could sometimes see the strings . Every effect is done well including Gamera's flight and fireball , and Gaos ' lazer breath . However sometimes it is obvious that effects are CGI .
The movie is a rather basic monster film but its production and special effects are what seperates it from the herd .
012 4 When director Shusuke Kaneko and screenwriter Kazumori Ito revived the kiddie kaiju hero Gamera , they also revived the kaiju genre itself . The pair reached back beyond the day glow colored kiddie slug fests of the late 60s and 70s , stretching all the way back to the genres golden era , the 50s and early 60s . Rather than treat the flying turtle as a joke , they drafted an intelligent and mature monster story that builds to the city crumbling battles every fan of the genre knows and loves . This is the movie to show friends and family who think watching man in suit monster movies is strictly for kids . Highest recommendation .
013 4 True the earlier Gamera movies were enjoyable to some extent , but were goofy in the fact that they aimed more at the kids .
But the series has taken a new turn ! The story is more adult oriented with some gruesome shots of people and animals getting slaughtered ! Gamera has a much more exciting background story and the the story itself is excellent !
A must-have for any giant monster movie fans !
014 4 This is a qick paced Japanese giant monster movie that fans of the genre will really enjoy . The story is good , though fairly silly fun that fans of the old Godzilla movies will welcome with open arms . The movie is the first in a trilogy of great Gamera movies .
The DVD features very good picture quality and offers the option to view the film in the original Japanese language with English subtitles or with and English dubbed soundtrack . The picture quality is very good as is the audio . Bonus features include an informative 31 minute interview with the director of special effects , footage from the Gamera announcement press conference the Japanese opening of the movie , behind-the-scenes footage , 3 theatrical trailers , 6 TV spots more !
All in all a great disk to own .
015 4 I say nearly perfect because I've seen all three of the new Gamera movies . I know what's coming . The special effects , editing , and photography are superior to the Godzilla movies of the period . This movie came out the same year as Godzilla vs . Destroyer ( or . . . vs . Destroyah depending on which fan you talk to ) . In Japan , both movies came out in 1995 . Until I saw the movies that followed , this first new Gamera movie blew me away . It is nothing like Gamera vs . Zigra ( 1972 ) which was the last of the original Gamera movies before Daiei went bankrupt .
With this movie , Daiei totally resets the storyline and ignores all previous movies . Gamera is given a history here . He doesn't simply appear to protect children . There is a legend for him and Gyaos .
The extras include subtitled Japanese material including original Japanese trailers , TV ads , press conference , promotional events , and behind the scenes stuff . There is also the first part of an interview with the man in charge of the special effects , Shinji Higuchi . The interview includes clips from the later movies which show why I like the later films so much . The beginning of the interview seems a little weird , but it's not bad once it starts . The way the interview is presented is a bit unusual with video monitors sometimes being the focus of many shots .
The DVD includes both English and Japanese audio and English subtitles . However , ADV has reduced the number of quotes from reviews on the DVD package from what was on the tape box . The DVD has no quotes from Roger Ebert ( yes , he gave it a Thumbs Up ) , New York Times , or New York Daily News . Since ADV didn't include their own trailers for this movie , the one with the quotes from TV Guide , Roger Ebert , and Cult Movies isn't here . Among the ADV previews , there is one for Gamera 2 .
Trivia : Ayako Fujitani ( Asagi ) is Steven Seagal's daughter .
016 4 This movie is the first of the three new Gamera movies and it is great . First of all , the special effects are awesome . They are way better than in any of the new godzilla films . The acting is also better than you usually see in Kaiju films . This is the best monster movie made yet . ( At least what I've seen ) It is better than the new Godzilla 2000 and is up to Hollywood standards . I highly reccomend watching this movie .
017 4 Gamera began his cinematic life in the 1960s , in a series of kid-oriented Japanese monster movies . A giant , jet-powered , flying , saber-toothed , fire-breathing turtle , Gamera may sound like a ridiculous concept to some , but to others ( like me ! ) he's a beloved film icon .
Well , Gamera is back in a big way in Gamera : Guardian of the Universe , a 1990s update of the classic character . Remakes and updates are always tricky undertakings , but screenwriter Kazunori Ito and director Shusuke Kaneko have done an excellent job . The secret of their success is simple : they remain true to the original concept and characterization of Gamera , while bringing a high-tech 90s sensibility to the execution .
In this film , ancient monster Gamera is reawakened to the contemporary world . He forms a telepathic bond with a young woman , and engages in fantastic battles with a species of predatory flying reptile known as Gyaos .
This new Gamera is an exciting , superbly made film . A coherent script , good performances by an engaging human cast , effective special effects , and a thrilling musical score all contribute to the film's overall success . The filmmakers have expertly blended the excitement of an action film with the timeless feel of myth . And most importantly , this new Gamera retains the quirky charm that made his earlier incarnations so memorable . Fans of Japanese giant monster films will be in heaven when they see Gamera .
018 4 Despite the Gamera in the 60 ' s that was aim towards kids this turtle is back ! ! When i first saw this I was Blown away I mean The SPX effect are ten times better the Newer godzilla films .
This suits and all were just Damm thats look cool.I mean who ever created this new gamera environment had the right idea and Meen damm he did a good job.All i have to say this on the other 2 Gamera films are a 5 star in my book .
019 4 Gamera is reborn , complete with his spinning shell of disaster ! A ship carrying enough plutonium to make the whole planet glow , runs aground on a mysterious , moving atoll . Some time later , a research team finds the tiny island and digs out a bizarre metallic monolith with ancient runes carved into it . The atoll turns out to be Gamera ! It seems he has returned after thousands of years to face a threat of biblical proportions . Gyaos , the gigantic bat-lizard has laid eggs on a remote island . They've hatched , releasing three gyaos monsters that start eating villagers and their pets almost immediately ! The government , in it's godlike wisdom , decides to capture the gyaos critters in a retractable domed baseball stadium . Well , Gamera arrives , throwing the government's plans into the toilet . The military bombards the big turtle mercilessly , protecting the gyaos babies . Gamera manages to squash one of them , while the military tranquilizes the other two . Fortunately , only one survives , cutting it's way out of it's cage with laser breath . It grows to horrific size , and sets out to obliterate Tokyo . Here comes Gamera again ! He's made a psychic connection with a young girl , who suffers when he suffers , and gains strength from her somehow . Together , they face Gyaos in a no-holds-barred final conflict ! My 8yo son and I both cheered for the big turtle . . .
020 4 This is easily one of the best kaiju movies ever made . Even though I've only seen one Showa Gamera movie ( the first one with no American actors in it on TV ) , but I can tell by reviews on the Internet that the Heisei Gamera is better . The story completely reinvents the turtle , making him the product of ancient Atlantians who were trying to save themselves from another creation , the reptilian , man-eating birds known as Gyaos . In the present day ( 1995 , when this movie was made ) , Gamera emerges from the sea to eliminate three of the Gyaos . This movie is great ! The special effects are among the best ever ! It had totally realistic CGI , mixed with the traditional man-in-a-suit ( my favorite way of bringing monsters to the screen ) . Gyaos looks rather puppet-like , but that's okay . Now onto the DVD . When I first bought it months ago along with Tremors and Tremors 2 , I popped it in my DVD player , and I was surprised to find it had special features ! Another DVD I have , a double feature of Godzilla vs . Spacegodzill and Godzilla vs . Destroyer , had no special features . But this DVD sure did ! It's also in widescreen , with the choice of either English dubbing or the original Japanese language with English subtitles ! Anyway , this is a must-have for any kaiju fan ! Also great are the two sequels , Gamera : Attack of Legion and Gamera : Revenge of Iris .
021 4 The turtle is back in a whole new adventure ! This time , it's not towards the kids . He's facing off with his greatest enemy ever : Gaos . As he faces this creature , he also teams up with a girl able to read his mind due to a mystic rock found in his shell by archaeologists . The effects were great . The stakes were high . And there was a load of action . If you're a Gamera fan , this will be your favorite .
023 4 A man-eating squad of three birds circle the sky . They are from an evil race . And now the giant turtle Gamera is out to stop him ! Helpfully guided by a girl , Gamera struggles to defeat his birdy foes . . . . .
I reccomend this movie if you are the Toho Godzilla fan . It's a cool film . . . .
024 4 Plan Z couldn't do it . Barugon couldn't do it . The first Gaos couldn't , ditto for Jiger , Zigra , Viras , and Guiron . Daiei's bankruptcies and subsequent takeover by Toho couldn't do it . Gamera is invincible and cannot be killed off . He lives on in the hearts of his fans . And seeing this movie and his new origin , his first movie with a decent budget and the benefit of CGI leave a viewer with only one word on their lips : WOW ! An ancient race ( supposedly Atlantis ) accidently created a race of monsters called Gyaos . To exterminate them , they created the ultimate Orkin Man : Gamera . But the people eating Gyaos managed to kill the Atlaneans before Gamera could finish them . Now , years later a hidden clutch of Gyaos eggs hatch . And mankind needs Gamera the Invincible Guardian of the Universe to save them .
026 4 Don't let the Godzilla fans negative comments dissuade you from seeing this film . Don't get me wrong . I love the Godzilla movies as much as the next G-fan . But I have to tip my hat to the makers of the newest series of Gamera movies . Everything about them ; from special effects , acting , direction to just plain storytelling ; is far superior to anything Toho films have ever done with Godzilla . In short , this is great guilty pleasure cinema . I highly reccomend it .
027 4 Mega-turtle Gamera sleeps in the deep and is summoned forth by a girl who retains a sympathetic connection through a comma-shaped rock pendant , to do battle with an old enemy in Gyaos , the monster pterodactyl who feasts on human beings . Gamera's whereabouts are divulged when a team of oceanographers discover an island which conceals a mystical megalith encribed with actual Futhark runes , describing the prophesy of the monsters returning when the world is in perceived environmental peril . *
The little humans are predictably afraid of the monsters , and seek to destroy both of them , despite Gamera's heroic inclinations , but after awhile , they realize Gamera is the only great beast who can battle Gyaos , who has set up nest atop Tokyo Tower in the middle of the city . Instead of luring the giant away , the seemingly idiotic military deem to destroy the pterodactyl right there amidst the metropolitan surroundings . Their battle destroys the city at the cost of only a few human lives { in which Gyaos treats herself to canned human as she peels away subway trains , shaking the residents into her mouth } .
With the help of the life-force of the girl , Gamera gathers up enough energy to defeat Gyaos , which takes them from the city to the ocean , and even into outer space . Though Gamera receives some potent blows , thus also effecting the girl , he prevails in the end , with a nod of recognition .
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* This is the constant theme underlying oriental monster mythology , as these monsters are an incarnate metaphor for Nature's Avengers , as it were . This can also be seen most dramatically in the Godzilla films .
028 4 I've always loved Gamera as a child . Sometimes it's good to always remember those kind of things . I would consider him Godzilla's competition . But with this new series , he rocks more than ever ! I have to say this is one of the best Kaiju movies EVER MADE ! Gamera gets ready to rumble again up against one of his most powerful Showa enamies ( now looking cooler than ever ) , Gayos , The Shadow Of Evil . A new storyline , new friends , new villians , and a whole new turtle in this action-packed movie witch is only the beginning of Gamera's troubles !
029 4 Fans of Japanese monster movies are going to love this movie . The Gamera series has usually been aimed at kids , but this film has an involving story line , bi-sexual flying bird monsters , and really nice Gamera stomping through big cities footage .
Much better than it had to be . TOHO , the home of Godzilla , took over the studio that did the Gamera films , and I think that may be why this film is so good .
Whether you watch this with the kids , or have friends over and pop up some popcorn and drink some brews , you are really going to have fun with this one !
And thank goodness the disc has the Japanese language version with sub-titles too ! A must get !
030 4 Well , never been a big gamera fan so this one is pretty much the same as the earlier movies.the only good part was gamera and gaoys flying into space then back to earth during battle , pretty good special effects but gamera is still a dumb child loving monster . I think it's about time there was a gamera movie with no kids and the monster serisouly wrecking havic and killing millions .
032 4 The flying turtle ! The battle with Gayos ! Giant bird poo ! Stomping on buildings ! And never ride the train in Tokyo because . . the train always gets destroyed ! Gamera always gets a little sloppy , and oops ! There goes another building ! I'm running out of exclamation points ! ! !
I was a fan of these films when I was a kid , and it took me by suprise that there was a remake in the 90 ' s . I picked up the boxed set and was pleasantly surprised to find that they kept the man-in-the-suit look , the hilarious dubbing , and all of the main staples of good old Japanese monster movie mayhem . No CGI here , plenty of miniatures and slow-mo sloshing water . There's something about those special effects that has a campy nostalgic feel , and it works . I was cheering like a kid watching this film - here he comes ! Gamera ! I gave it four stars because , well , come on , it is a monster movie , but it does exactly what it set out to do .
033 4 I have seen Gamera 2 and 3 , and I have to say that Gamera guardian of the universe is actually a more structured and serious movie than the others . The FX are good ( for a japanese monster movie ) but still behind american standars . Overall I like this film the most .
034 4 It is a great movie . One that I never saw before and would love to see it again . I'm trying to find where I could buy it but it is hard to find.I like the way the japanese make their films .
035 4 This review is from :
Gamera - The Guardian of The Universe [ VHS ] ( VHS Tape )
Those who like Gamera films will LOVE this ! Gamera comes back with a new look . He is Mean and Bad-ass . This film gave Gamera hope in his fight against godzilla films . The acting and effects are what you'd expect from either monster , and some of the Gyaos vs . humans fight scenes go on for a little long , but The over all story ROCKS ! It's just too bad that none of Gamera's films are out on DVD . : (
036 4 Those who like Gamera films will LOVE this ! Gamera comes back with a new look . He is Mean and Bad-ass . This film gave Gamera hope in his fight against godzilla films . The acting and effects are what you'd expect from either monster , and some of the Gyaos vs . humans fight scenes go on for a little long , but The over all story ROCKS ! It's just too bad that none of Gamera's films are out on DVD . : (
041 4 I rented this movie a couple of months ago , looking for somthing Japanese , but not Godzilla , because I own all of his movies and was becoming bored watching them over and over . After I saw it , I ran out and bought all of the Gamera movies that I could find , including this one ! If you love big G , you'll love this modern kaiju epic . It has a very fresh , origanal plot , settle for nothing less than modern Gamera films . By the way , a new Gamera movie just came out in Japan , which will be in stores in August or September .
042 4 The worst movie I have ever seen ! A giant turtle has a telepathic link with a Young girl ? How dumb do producers think we are ? In this movie the turtle has a rocket in his foot . You shouldnt look for mistakes , but they are so frequent ! Especialy when you can see the strings !
044 4 I am right this film is cool but proable not as great as G2 : Gamera Vs . Legion . The effects are great ecesept some minor problems but briwent . If you haven't seen it yet , shame on you !
047 4 After years of not being on Shuesko kaneko decided to direct a brand new gamera series ( Yeah ! ) In the beggining a giant rock is in the middle of the ocean.A man is in a store looking for food for a man when a young japense girl named asangi is the mans daughter.so they dig up some of the rock and an ancient stone is inside of it.At japan mutant bats / birds are attacking japan .
048 4 I personally enjoyed this movie and have seen it 3 times on Showtime , however , I must say that one would have to be a fan to appreciate the movie . If you aren't , you would just find the plot and the low budget special effects tacky .
051 4 Yes , so the creatures are still men in rubber suits . But personally I prefer films with dodgy special effects and a decent storyline to no-brain films which are totally dependant on big dinos ( take your pick from recent western releases ) .
Gamera , a giant flying turtle who has a telepathic link with a young girl , is called into action to put a stop to three giant bird-like beasts , one of which grows to giant size .
Some of the fx are a little on the dodgy side , but for the most part the creatures look impressive and there are some great visuals . Gamera's flying effects , for example , have visually improved beyond recognition . Forget that excuse for a Godzilla revival . This is the re-make of recent years .
052 4 Probably the the best Japanese Sci-Fi flick of the 90 ' s , Gamera even puts the Heshin Godzilla movies to shame.The SPFX are impresive , the acting is great , and the storyline rules.Overall , I say watch Gamera , The Guardian of the Universe now.You won't regret it .
053 4 I realy loved this one . The only bad part about this movie is that it is so good it isn't campy ! In the movie Gamera the giant , fire breathing , flying turtle must destroy G ( y ) oas : A race of giant vampire bats . That can shoot a laser beam made of sound waves that could even kill Godzilla and I heard that it took 3 computers to make Gyoas ' beam . Gamera the Gurdian of The Universe makes Godzilla Vs . Biollante look like Barney's Great Andventure !
054 4 Godzilla , a great movie was released in 1954 , it was about a giant monster that attacked japan , it was a success , in japan and america , many succesful sequals were inevitable . so naturally everyone wanted to dublicate the success , even countries like korea gave it a try with yonggary ( a overall terrible film ) . most were just one shots that were forever outshined by godzilla films but one series was fairly succesful , still nothing compared to the godzilla movies of the time , it was gamera a giant dectructive turtle that was a friend to all children . It lasted from 65 to about 72 and was still very crappy and only lasted because of its appeal to children . then in 1995 gamera guardian of the universe was released and completely revamped the series ignoring even the original ( something only one or two godzilla movies have tried , all other current ones regard the original and use it as a cruch for its own success ) it also didnt rely on children either it was very refreshing to many , but it still has its problems . people praise it for having computer generated missles instead of just fire cracker looking things like godzilla movies of the time used , but the missles still look extremely fake , they have like no detail . this film also used a CG fire ball for gamera unlike godzilla movies of the nineties that still used 2 - d animated looking lasers , but the monster gaos still has this bad 2 - d effect for its non CG laser . the monster action is also a little dull . but it is still good taking in the fact that it was the first monster movie to use these better methods . so I gave it a four out of five . I will review its sequels as soon as possible .
055 4 Most gamera fans have seen the cheesy 60s and 70s versions of the turtle that tried to be godzilla . But now , Gamera actually defeats Godzilla in FX . The Godzilla series from 1989 - 1995 ( The Hesei series ) had excellent to mediocre FX . Now Gamera beats the FX in this one ! But not only do FX makes this a good movie , but the plot actually clicks without plot holes , and , IMHO , is well explained .
Synopsis : A floating atoll is discovered and a research team chases after it , while three giant bird-monsters appear and chow down on people . The atoll cracks open and releases a monster turtle called Gamera , a dragon created by an ancient civilization to destroy the evil Gyaos . All but one of the birds are killed , and the survivor grows to a size equal to Gamera's . The bird has been dubbed Gyaos and the military decides to stop attacking Gamera and turn towards Gyaos . Gyaos and Gamera meet in Tokyo and fight to the death . . . . I can't tell you who wins . END
057 4 The original Gamera films were ok . The human plots were horrendous and uninteresting except maybe Gamera vs . Barugon . The monster scenes were pretty good , not the best . Overall they were good or really bad , but not as good as Godzilla ( he IS the King of the Monsters ) . Anyways , Gamera has been revived in a trilogy of movies that have been widely praised . This movie makes me wonder why the movies are so highly liked though . Gamera and Gyaos aren't that cool . The fights are adequate . The effects vary from good to bad . And the human drama equals that of any 60 ' s - 70 ' s Godzilla movie . It could have been really good , but the monsters aren't that interesting , and that's what counts . My guess is Gamera 3 is the only one that's really good ( although I have serious doubts about it ) and for some reason they started giving accolades to the whole trilogy . Gamera 2 and 3 are planned to be released by ADV Films in 2001 , by the way . So , until then , I'm taking the raves of the new Gamera trilogy with a grain of salt . I will however keep an open mind when watching the movies .
058 4 Basicly this was just the Japanese version of ET the Extra Treastrial . A little girl ( Elliot character ) has some sort of conection with Gamera ( ET character ) . This also had some spoofing of Jurassic Park , AKA Gyaos ( Rodan wanabe ) doodoo being inspected by some woman . And now the special effects ( which wern't anything that special ) , it seemed like the only thing payed attention to in this movie was the Gamera Fire Ball . The flying turtle sceans looked like they were just guys in rubber suits in front of a set paineted on paper . And the missles use to shoot the monsters looked like they came strait out of a Disney / Pixar movie ( you know , Toy Story , A Bug's Life ) . And maybe the monster fighting sceans would have been more realistic if the monsters weren't dileberetly missing each other . I may be a Godzilla fan ( I'm not saying I'm not a Gamera fan , and I'm not saying I am a Gamera fan ) , but I'm not leting the fact that I own every Godzilla movie ( exept Godzilla 2000 , which I saw in theaters yesterday and it was GREAT ) interfier with this review . I'm not comparing it to Godzilla ( but if you do want my opinion , check out Godzilla vs . Destroyah , way better FX than this ) . I'm not saying that you shouldn't see this movie , ( because I would see it again if I got the chance ) so if you iterested in seeing this , rent it before you buy it , because it's your opinion , not mine .
059 4 For some reason a lot of giant monster fans have taken to these new Gamera films ( most of them devouring Gamera 2 and 3 as well which are not legally availble in the US yet ) , but it would seem to me they are mostly getting taken in by the special effects or - something - because on the whole this and the other new Gamera entries lack warmth and charm that you will find in every Godzilla film . The plot really isn't anything to write home about and none of the characters are really interesting . The only thing that really strikes me is an improvement is the degree of violence , on the other hand it is sometimes nice to watch a Godzilla film and not see thousands of people getting killed - - sure , lots died in the first one , but there are plenty of violent movies , so it is hard to say if things like seeing a train get dropped into a whole line of evacuating people , or seeing Gaos gulp down citizens is really an improvement . Beyond this darker aspect and the special effects I found nothing in the film I could really attach to . For all their faults , the Godzilla films have charm and Godzilla actually has something of a personality . The makers of Gamera really need to get a sense of humor and not work so hard to convince us their giant turtle is a bad ass .
061 4 Well this one was cool and never looked at it as a Gamera movie . i just can not except a giant Turtle going around saving the world !
062 4 The so called update is bad stuff . The plot-line consists of alot of Atlantian nonsense to justify the existance of the creature . Bad FX shots like the creatures locked behind the horizon , never venturing to where the people are running around . Buildings that explode for no good reason , Gamera walking through a construction site , the girders explode from within each piece . Buildings scraped by the creature explode from the inside-out . Is Tokyo a storage house for nitro-glycerin or what ? The ineptness is such that it could be mistaken for brilliant parody . The same could be said about Godzilla 2000 . Gamera is full of meat !
063 4 What is it about this movie ? That it stars Steven Seagal's daughter ? Is it in the title that Gamera is a gaurdian of a universe that consists of only one planet ? Is it the convoluted Atlantis plot angle which does little except spout mythic gibberish ? Is it the monsters who are conveniently locked behind the horizon with people running in the foreground among city destruction ? Or the buildings which explode on contact ? Is Tokyo a storage house for Nitro Glycerin ? Why do skeletal girders on a contruction site explode when touched ? Is it made of C - 4 ? Why are the FX work in this movie praised ? The original kept it simple and had to explain less . This movie explains outlandish creatures with even more outlandish and convoluted explanations . All of which in turn need even more outlandish explanations than the original idea , none of which are actually followed through .
Guardian is one of the best movies I have ever seen . Most of the concepts that were originated in the Heisei Godzilla movies , but never fully developed , are beautifully done here , and the visual effects are some of the best ever in a kaiju movie . Shusuke Kaneko crafts a story that never loses it's momentum and is at no point ever unengaging . The score is also excellent , worthy of some of Akira Ifukube's better work . If you think this movie is good , however , watch Gamera 2 : Advent of Legion and Gamera 3 : Awakening of Irys . They must be seen to be believed .
039 4 This movie rocks ! ! ! It brings me back to my childhood where I would stay inside on Saturday afternoons and watch Godzilla , Gamera , Kung Fu movies and just about anything that was dubbed . Gyaos is a great adversary . I like how they re-did Gamera's origin . Godzilla is my favorite monster , but this has better special effects than any Godzilla film . Gamera is catching up . I can't wait until they release Gamera 2 : The Advent of Legion . Gamera has come a long way ! !
045 4 Let me first say , I am an enourmous Godzilla fan . I own almost all of his movies , good or bad , and a multitude of books , figures , posters and comics . However , I am also a fair critic , and I cannot deny that Gamera : Guardian is one of the best movies I have ever seen . Most of the concepts that were originated in the Heisei Godzilla movies , but never fully developed , are beautifully done here , and the visual effects are some of the best ever in a kaiju movie . Shusuke Kaneko crafts a story that never loses it's momentum and is at no point ever unengaging . The score is also excellent , worthy of some of Akira Ifukube's better work . If you think this movie is good , however , watch Gamera 2 : Advent of Legion and Gamera 3 : Awakening of Irys . They must be seen to be believed .
