Gamera general thread

Dusting off this old thing for a simple question. Since Shin Godzilla is getting a dub with anime voice actors from Texas (via Funimation), let's talk about how the 90s Gamera trilogy also got this treatment (via ADV).

For anyone who has watched the ADV dubs, what is your opinion on them? Do you think they were better than most English dubs of kaiju films up to that point? And yes, I know about the gag dub they did for Attack of Legion.

I have watched Guardian of the Universe subbed and quite enjoyed it. I need to finish Attack of Legion at some point.

Sorry for bumping a super old thread, but Arrow Video is releasing a box set in July that's including all 12 movies, every English dub, the Gammera the Invincible cut of the original, and reprints of the 90s comics.

Goddamn, I wish I had the money to buy it

I've already pre-ordered but I'm weak when it comes to stuff like this.

I'm beginning to watch the first Heisei film.

Edited by RAlexa21th on Jun 22nd 2020 at 9:01:45 AM

Did you like it?

I missed out some details on the first view, but I understand a little more on second viewing.

The most disappointing thing about the first film is the Gyaos, they fly really stiffly and I am unimpressed when they kill the people at the beginning of the movie (seriously, the only proof that they kill people is their poop). That said, the bridge attack and the train attack are great. The dead baby bird nest is really chilling too.

Gamera is very cool. Love the Turtle Island mystery thing he has going on before he rises up. The design is top-notch, but his fireballs and flying animation suffer from 90s CG. I miss the built-in flamethrower.

The final fight is very impactful and brutal. That said, the deus ex magatama is rather anti-climatic.

The theme of the movie is surprisingly Godzilla-esque. It's about how humans repeating the mistakes of the predecessors and destroying themselves with their technology. That said, this theme doesn't get the chance to matter much in the plot, since most of the human errors in this film is trying to kill Gamera instead of Gyaos.

Edited by RAlexa21th on Jun 23rd 2020 at 9:22:22 AM

TBF the Gyaos do get better effects later.

My thoughts on Gamera 2: Advent of Legion.

The Legion are a step up from the Gyaos. Their design is fantastic and they wouldn't look out of place in Starcraft or Starship Troopers. The swarm of smaller monsters also give the JSDF something to do when Gamera handles the big one. Their attack on humans is also very good compared to the previous film's bird poop.

The detective work on the monsters also has a better payoff than "ZOMG they are gonna destroy the world." It allows the military to anticipate where the swarm will attack next so they can either evacuate civilians or intercept the swarm. I like how the Legion's attempt of terraforming involves shooting up the oxygen level because they are anthropods.

We have a new pair of professional woman + bumbling male sidekick. At least the male sidekick is less obnoxious in this film. Asagi and her family doesn't appear as much as I'd like.

One thing I noticed is that the Prime Minister feels the need to make a long-winded justification to mobilize the JSDF against an inhuman enemy on Japanese soil. I suspect there is some sort of subtle commentary in here.

The monsters and models effects are even better than last time. Gamera's fireballs are decidedly better than the last film and the CGI is marginally improved. That said, whenever Gamera is stabbed, the fact that he's a rubber monster is obvious. He doesn't have Godzilla's rough scaly texture to hide it.

The "big theme" of this movie is also only briefly discussed like the last movie, and it's kinda the same theme. What if humanity become the danger itself? I really hope the next film follows this up.

All in all, I like it better than Gamera 1. Gamera 1 has better mystery buildup, but this film has way better monster action and payoff.

Edited by RAlexa21th on Jun 24th 2020 at 11:12:30 AM

My thoughts Gamera 3: Awakening of Irys.

Compared to the previous two films, this film focuses mainly on the human story, with the Gamera vs. Irys conflict being an extension of it. Thankfully, the human story is really good. Ayanna works great as a tragic villain and she goes through the most development for any human in this trilogy. The returning cast from Gamera 1 is also great to watch and they bounce off each other well. Unfortunately, Oribe's acting leaves much to be desired, and while Asakura and Kurata sells the creepy cultist schtick well, they feel rather unnecessary to the plot especially when Kurata comes with an awkward Sega Dreamcast product placement. Ayana is all the human villain we need.

Both forms of Irys have a great design, kind of like an evil angel, and his tentacles are very well done most of the time. The way he kills his victims is horrific, but his first onscreen kill is kinda goofy. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'd take Gamera 1's bird poop over this anytime.

The CGI has improved to... below average PS 2 graphics. The aerial battle has somewhat ambitious choreography, but I'd take the aerial battle in Gamera 1 over this any time. I'd also take Showa spinning flight over Heisei spinning flight any time. At least the fireballs are pretty fantastic in this film, a vast improvement from Gamera 1.

Once we get to the rubber suits and miniature city, however, that's where the real fun begins. The battle of Shibuya knows how to sell the terror and panic of a Kaiju fight better than any film I've watched. I love how despite being a heroic kaiju' Gamera's actions also cause uncountable deaths and tragedies. If I were a human on ground zero I'd be scared of him too. For added bonus, the Gyaos can finally flap their wings properly now. The battle of Kyoto is short and brutal, with an epic finishing blow rivaled only by Godzilla 2014 in my opinion. Gamera no longer looks rubbery when he gets stabbed, and the injuries on his stomach is quite impressive and unnerving.

The film also ties up the environmental themes of the previous two films in a neat way with the concept of mana. The question of whether Gamera is really an ally is given more weight now that Gamera becomes much more brutal and callous. Despite being the darkest film of the trilogy, there is also a message of hope and determination that I appreciate.

Overall, I think this film has a better story and monster fights than Gamera 2. That said, I think Gamera 2 has better pacing and the perfect amount of monster screen time to scratch my rubber monster itch.

The Heisei Gamera trilogy is considered to be the Dark Knight Trilogy of Kaiju films for how dark they are compared to a lot of the monster movies released that decade (Especially when compared to the Rebirth of Mothra Trilogy).

Yeah, the trilogy has more mystery and drama than the second half of Heisei Godzilla. Gamera 3 has better human drama than all Kaiju movies I've watched from both sides of Pacific.

A new animated Gamera thing is coming:

Oh, animated, huh. I was expecting live action when I heard the news.

Fingers crossed for Legion's appearance.

Gamera's eye in that thumbnail just makes me think of the Godzilla (1998) VHS cover I had as a kid.

Also I might as well mention this here, but an offbrand knock off of Gamera has been on every can of Mountain Dew Code Red for a while now. No idea why or how, but I dig it.

Edited by GrandmasterKiramidHead on Dec 3rd 2022 at 11:57:07 AM

I work at a grocery store, and I see it all the time. its pretty neat.

GAMERA REBIRTH - Main Cast Announcement

Hisako Kanemoto as Boko

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Joe

Aki Toyosaki as Junichi

Subaru Kimura as Brody

Production is being directed at ENGI

Trailer for Rebirth released

Kaiju confirmed: Jiger and Gyaos plus other three unknown kaiju.

Edited by VengefulBale on Mar 25th 2023 at 10:55:34 AM

One looked kind like Legion.

Main trailer for Gamera rebirth:

Currently watching Gamera: Rebirth. The animation is a little janky but otherwise I'm finding it pretty decent. Also looks like we might be getting a gay romance subplot, which I wasn't expecting.

Watching the first episode now.

Man, Boko's mom is an asshole. Like, relatably assholish mind and not "Cartoonishly evil parent" asshole but damn.

Edit: Hot damn the janky animation and limited model number makes the human bits feel a bit off but the Kaiju action makes up for it. Gamera is in top form here. The way he and the Gyaos tear into eachother is fuckin' epic. And outside of the predictable bullying plot beat the human characters are actually starting to endear themselves.

Edited by ShirowShirow on Sep 7th 2023 at 5:25:29 PM

I love how people are simping for the Rebirth Guiron, and I can definitely see why.

Guiron is my favorite Showa foe, and the new design does give it some much-needed mobility against a rocket-propelled turtle.

So, kinda going along with me watching through the old Toho kaiju movies, I decided to finally sit down and watch the original Gamera.

...it's eh? I don't have a lot to say to be honest. The kid is annoying, the special effects are surprisingly not that bad (not to the same level as Toho's at this same time, but there's some cool composite shots of Gamera next to several humans), there's a large amount of English in a few scenes with REALLY bad American actors (no, I didn't watch the Americanized "Gammera" cut, this is in the original Japanese film), and the ending is an, admittedly, novel way to get rid of the kaiju (just launch his ass into space). But overall, it's a 6/10 for me. It's not the worst, I don't think it's outright bad, but it's kinda...meh. Gamera really doesn't work as just a rampaging monster, otherwise he feels too much like a Godzilla knockoff.