Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Zach B

  
  It is quite a shame that, over here in the states, few people have heard about Gamera. Who is Gamera you ask? Why, he is just the turtle version Godzilla. Basically what you are missing out is on a giant turtle that breaths fire and has huge tusks attached to his lower jaw. This… More
  It is quite a shame that, over here in the states, few people have heard about Gamera. Who is Gamera you ask? Why, he is just the turtle version Godzilla. Basically what you are missing out is on a giant turtle that breaths fire and has huge tusks attached to his lower jaw. This monster is one of a very sad, and rather depressing history. Started off as a last ditch effort for Diae Studio in Japan, Gamera was meant to be the box office rival of Godzilla, who has, by that time, had four films out and was around for about ten years. When Gamera was released, it tried to create the dark overtones that Gojira (the original Godzilla film) had, but ultimately failed. All other films would be complete embarrassments. They were aimed towards kids, the suits were trash, it was insulting. Even more when in 1980 Space Monster Gamera was created, and there is no words to describe that horror. So for fifteen years, Gamera laid in obscurity. Until one man decided to reboot him and in the process, created one of the finest giant monster trilogies of all time. Shusuke Kaneko is the ultimate modern director for giant monsters. He understands the creatures, how to film them, how to make them look impressive, while also telling a rather dark tale of giant birds that feast on humans. Being his first giant monster film, he does show rather strong promise with the way this film is told. My only true complaint about his directing is that, for this film, he plays it safe. I know that this was his first one, but I wish that this film could have been more out there and not kept locked up so much. What I mean by that is: I would of like more scenes of the Gyaos (the giant birds) attacking humans and more scene of the humans talking and us just getting to know them a bit more. I understand that this a giant monster film and we are delivered by cheasy dialogue and shown that all of the money is to go to the monsters, but while this film is better then the average monster flick, I wish that it would be a built more intelligent. But where it lacks with dialogue and development, it makes up for in spectacle. The set designs and the looks of the monsters are all impressive, even more better than Toho studios, and they usually have the best in terms of making costumes and building sets for these types of films. Compared to today, the effects look very amateurish. But, that is the beauty of it all: it is fun to watch. This is the type of film which you are constantly aware of the strings and effects, but in the end of it all, you just end up loving it because it is cheap. Plus, the suits in terms of detail, is in a complete class by themselves. As the trilogy of Gamera continues, the suits get more elaborated in terms of detail. But, the ones here are so basic in terms of design, that it is just a pleasure to sit back and watch. Now, for the acting of the humans, this was a bit of a shock because of how rounded these characters are. But, for this film, the character that stood out the most to me was Ayoko Fujitani (who is the daughter of Steven Seagal). The main reason why is because, once people would become aware of who she was, she would be compared to her father. But, as an actress with her first major role, she handles herself pretty well. The rest of the cast, including those that will make reoccurring appearance through out the entire trilogy, do make a good attempt at standing their positions as characters of this film saga. Though, the acting does get laughable at times with the dialogue being a little bit comedic, but that is part of why I love this film: it does not take itself completely seriously. The other two films will. But this film does not. That is my main point of this film: it is fun and should not be taken seriously. The film is laughable, has some rather good entertainment scenes, and plenty of giant turtle action. If you go in with an open mind, and willing to throw away common sense, then you are in for a treat.

• Christopher H

  
  After a 14 year absence, Gamera makes his legendary return under the masterful hands of Director Shusuke Kaneko. This film throws away the franchises kids-movie tendencies by having a serious tone and a story to engage mature audiences. The plot is a reboot, ignoring all the… More
  After a 14 year absence, Gamera makes his legendary return under the masterful hands of Director Shusuke Kaneko. This film throws away the franchises kids-movie tendencies by having a serious tone and a story to engage mature audiences. The plot is a reboot, ignoring all the film's that came previously. The human characters are very well-developed and defined. The pacing does not miss a beat and you'll find yourself actually emotionally resonated at times. The Gamera suit is given a great update, Gamera does not look as abnormally thin as in the Showa-era films. Forget the gentle protector in the previous films, the Gamera here takes a turn for the badass in this flick. Gamera's nemesis, Gyaos, is also given an update that far surpasses its previous incarnation. Gyaos actually comes across as scary and vicious in this film. The visuals are incredible, the model cities are exquisite and the digital effects are especially well-done. The action is explosive and we actually see the monster's destruction effecting the people. Overall, a great monster flick that demonstrates the greatest aspects of the genre, but the best was yet to come.

• Anthony V

  
  Good special effects, modernized story, lots of fun.

• Christopher B

  
  A giant turtle guards the universe from the evil Gyaos, and he's definitely a turtle you want on your side. An incredible rejuvination of the bizarre Gamera series, the sequels are excellent as well.