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Furankenshutain tai Chitei Kaijû Baragon (1965)
Underrated and Entertaining
As a fan of the genre. I had the opportunity recently view this film. As a child I remembered watching this film during the days of "Afternoon Movie Theater" I believe that it was called at Channel 7? It was known as "Frankenstein Conquers the World" and it was quite entertaining. I was young and things of that nature would entertain me. Anyway, back to my review. The movie starts out with a very eerie tone accompanied by very chilling and memorable music, thanks to maestro of music, Akira Ifukube. I believe the score of this music was excellent which I believe help or even save the movie at times. The audience is presented with a World War II torn Germany who gives up Frankenstein's heart to the Japanese. After it's arrival in Japan for experiments, Hiroshima is destroyed by a A-bomb and shifts to present day in Japan. Helps the movie in the fact that gives off enough background information. Anyhow, the Frankestein's heart was supposedly eaten by a young boy who survived the destruction of Hiroshima. Scientist's find the boy for further experiments after he has committed criminal activities (eating dogs, rabbits, etc..)for his survival. The boy grows in a rapid pace and has to be placed in a larger cell for his own protection. He escapes and hides in the forest and hills of Japan. The second monster introduced and first appearance ever in the Kaiju genre is the ever popular, Baragon. He does his monster destruction and eventually meets up the overgrown and poorly designed Frankestein. Of course this is main attraction of this film. The fight scenes are pretty kool and enjoyable. I don't ever remember seeing two monsters going at it as much as this movie, maybe the exception of Baragon and Godzilla in "GMK: Giant Monsters All Out Attack". Sufficed it to say, Frankenstein wins out and kills Baragon surrounded by a forest of fire. I happen to watch the Japanese version where the Giant Octopus appears and engages in combat with Frankestein and eventually fell off the cliff, taking its entangled prey with him into the sea. A prequel to "The War of the Gargantuas"!! Although I've seen the "Americanized" version of this film with the ending deleted, an earthquake type scene. With the flames in the background, the land would open up and engulf both Baragon and Frankenstein to the bottom of the earth. I still prefer the Japanese version. Overall, very underrated and entertaining film. But, believe me, the score of the film is what gives an added punch. More like, destruction, despair and sadness with a touch of domination. If you're a fan of the Japanese Sci-Fi genre, I would view this one.
Gojira, Mosura, Kingu Gidorâ: Daikaijû sôkôgeki (2001)
One of The Better Godzilla Movies in Some Time
I`m a pretty big Godzilla fan and I was fortunate enough to buy and view this particular film. Reason, Shusuke Kaneko! I had the privilege of watching his Gamera trilogy movies(Gamera: Guardian of the Universe, Gamera 2: Advent of Legion & Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris) and was impressed with his style and set a standard of what a monster movie should be. Anyway, back to the movie review of GMK: Giant Monsters All Out Attack. I was really enjoyed the film, a dark, mythical and action packed monster film that was lacking in other Godzilla films. As mentioned in previous IMDB comments, Shusuke delivers lots of symbolism and mythology an a "Message" in this film. It seemed that he did enjoy making the film. The special effects and action was amazing!!! Godzilla as a brutal "FORCE OF NATURE", with his sinister white eyes ready to destroy anything in his path. Just the way I like it, Godzilla a menace to the human race. The monsters in this film were great, Baragon, Mothra and Ghidorah. Although, I was a little bothered that Ghidorah was a "GOOD" monster this time as opposed to previous films. Godzilla's battle scene with Baragon (who acts like a pit bull type of monster) is classic. Shusuke also delivers some humor in this film which I enjoyed, the mentioning of a dinosaur in the U.S./N.Y. that was named Godzilla and the scene as Mothra was appearing to do battle shows a glimpse of two women (hint: two little fairy women who always appeared in previous Mothra films)watch the monster fly above past them. This film has somewhat set the standard of what Godzilla movies should be (although, the Gamera 2 & 3 were quite the best monster movies I have seen) and should be followed. We shall wait and see. Rating: 8 1/2 out of 10. The plot lacked some punch and ending was quite questionable. But I'm not going to complain. A treat for real Godzilla fans.
The Scorpion King (2002)
Well, what can I say!
I just saw this film recently and let me tell you........what a disappointment! There is nothing positive to talk about this movie, the lack of acting, special effects and the comic relief was unbearable. At several times during the movie, I dosed off. I never dose off in a movie theater. The only thing that this movie had to offer was good action/fighting sequences and I'm glad that the Rock and Michael Clarke Duncan didn't break out in a WWF wrestling match. I expected much more from this movie but then again, I shouldn't be surprised either. I don't think this movie is in the same mold of the Mummy and Mummy Returns, this just doesn't quite cut the mustard. My rating: 1 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Mai ming xiao zi (1979)
Good One for All Shaw Brothers Film Fans!!
***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** As a fan of Shaw Brothers films, especially the director, Chang Cheh..it's a pretty good movie. It has the Venom Gang, comic relief and good fighting sequences. A brief synopsis on the film if I may. A business lacking escort service ran by a rich martial artist, Feng Lu(Centipede and Silver Spear fame)needs to feed his hunger for Kung Fu, traps martial artists and fights them to the death. As his business is decreasing he looks to expand and targets an escort service inhabited by a mother, daughter and son(Meng Lo: Toad, Golden Arm). As he tries to buy his business, Meng Lo is stubborn and refuses to sell the escort service. The brash and abrasive Meng Lo seeks to fight all the time but his sister and mother always calling on him to return back to the house(mommas boy). During all this, four vagabonds (Shen Chiang, Chien Sun, Philip Kwok and Li Wang)looking for food and shelter actually go to restaurants, eat their and get beaten for having no money(quite funny). Funny thing, all four vagabonds are Kung Fu expects. Anyway, Feng Lu finds out about these vagabonds and befriends the fighters to indulge in his kung fu kicks. As their provider, he bathes, feeds and shelters them. All this, the four vagabonds meet Meng Lo and develop a psuedo friendship. Meng Lo challenges all four to contests(friendly but intense-good fighting scenes). Their bond grows stronger and all this suits Feng Lu. He masterminds a plot to get them all killed by having all five turn on each other. One scene is when Meng Lo and Philip Kwok are fighting and decide to not pull any punches...so Philip(who uses a pole and Lo as always uses his bare hands)lands his pole on Meng Lo chest..Philip taps the pole and it explodes, killing Lo. To his surprise, Philip can't believe what happened and the other three vagabonds try to kill him. The pole was switched and contained explosives. They bring the dead carcass to the mother and daughter for their viewing. Feng Lu seizes the opportunity and fights with the three vagabonds...great fight scenes. Feng Lu disposes of Chien Sun and Li Wang with his famous sword by using some styles named clouds come down, cloud goes up, sun through clouds, etc..... Sheng Chiang escapes the slaughter and hooks up with Philip and both strategized a plot to kill Feng Lu. The ending is quite good, Philip and Sheng work well together as a team. Suffice to say...the good wins over evil. Works for me.