A garuda, for those who do not know (and I didn't, before I watched this film), is a supernatural being, part man and part bird, which features heavily in Thai mythology.
When one of these 80,000-year-old winged creatures is discovered hibernating beneath Bangkok and then accidentally revived, a pretty archaeologist, Leena (Sara Legge), and a special forces colonel, Tan Toschai, risk life and limb to defeat the ancient monster.
Garuda, a giant monster movie in the tradition of Godzilla, is a brave attempt by director/writer Monthon Arayangkoon to create a distinctly Thai movie which might appeal to an international audience. Unfortunately, the lame and rather predictable script, coupled with some pretty poor CGI effects means that the project really stood little chance of success outside of its own country.
The first 45 minutes of the film are rather dreary, at first following the heroine's father as he attempts to find proof of the mythical beast in Pakistan, and then showing the discovery of the monster deep beneath Bangkok and the subsequent involvement of Leena and her colleague Tim (Dan Fraser, who puts in a truly dreadful performance).
Once the creature is brought back to life, the film mimics James Cameron's Aliens by having a team of military hard-cases picked off one-by-one by the winged behemoth. Repetitive and unexciting attacks ensue, until the creature emerges from its subterranean hiding place and wreaks havoc in the city.
From this moment on, the film slowly but steadily improves and heads towards a fairly exciting climax atop a skyscraper. However, it is a case of too little, too late and the film as a whole is a disappointment.
When one of these 80,000-year-old winged creatures is discovered hibernating beneath Bangkok and then accidentally revived, a pretty archaeologist, Leena (Sara Legge), and a special forces colonel, Tan Toschai, risk life and limb to defeat the ancient monster.
Garuda, a giant monster movie in the tradition of Godzilla, is a brave attempt by director/writer Monthon Arayangkoon to create a distinctly Thai movie which might appeal to an international audience. Unfortunately, the lame and rather predictable script, coupled with some pretty poor CGI effects means that the project really stood little chance of success outside of its own country.
The first 45 minutes of the film are rather dreary, at first following the heroine's father as he attempts to find proof of the mythical beast in Pakistan, and then showing the discovery of the monster deep beneath Bangkok and the subsequent involvement of Leena and her colleague Tim (Dan Fraser, who puts in a truly dreadful performance).
Once the creature is brought back to life, the film mimics James Cameron's Aliens by having a team of military hard-cases picked off one-by-one by the winged behemoth. Repetitive and unexciting attacks ensue, until the creature emerges from its subterranean hiding place and wreaks havoc in the city.
From this moment on, the film slowly but steadily improves and heads towards a fairly exciting climax atop a skyscraper. However, it is a case of too little, too late and the film as a whole is a disappointment.
