Rating: Summary: Excellent creature double feature!!! Review: The fifth entry in the showa (1960s - 1980s gamera films) Gamera series, Gamera vs. Viras (Destroy all Planets as it was released in the US) is a most enjoyable, although juvenille film. In the movie, two prank-loving boy scouts are kidnapped by aliens looking to take over the world. Gamera attempts a rescue, only to be put under the Virian's (the aliens) control and forced to attack Japan. The two boys find a way to put an end to the Virian's mind control and escape. The Virans, in a last-ditch effort, fuse together into a gigantic, silver squid monster. Can Gamera defeat Viras and save the earth? (well, i can't give away the ending, now can I?) The quality of the print used is subpar, presenting a slightly faded picture and several scratches. However, the film is still completely enjoyable in this form and could be a lot worse . . . trust me. The audio is generally clear and crisp, showing little problems. The DVD itself has little to show. The menus are still images, with no music. There is however a picture gallery and a chapter index. As a hardcore kaiju (japanese monster movies) fan, I strongly recommend this DVD, even though its not in the best possible quality.
Rating: Summary: Gamera (and two boy scouts) vs. Viras (and stock footage) Review: The fifth entry in the showa (1960s - 1980s gamera films) Gamera series, Gamera vs. Viras (Destroy all Planets as it was released in the US) is a most enjoyable, although juvenille film. In the movie, two prank-loving boy scouts are kidnapped by aliens looking to take over the world. Gamera attempts a rescue, only to be put under the Virian's (the aliens) control and forced to attack Japan. The two boys find a way to put an end to the Virian's mind control and escape. The Virans, in a last-ditch effort, fuse together into a gigantic, silver squid monster. Can Gamera defeat Viras and save the earth? (well, i can't give away the ending, now can I?) The quality of the print used is subpar, presenting a slightly faded picture and several scratches. However, the film is still completely enjoyable in this form and could be a lot worse . . . trust me. The audio is generally clear and crisp, showing little problems. The DVD itself has little to show. The menus are still images, with no music. There is however a picture gallery and a chapter index. As a hardcore kaiju (japanese monster movies) fan, I strongly recommend this DVD, even though its not in the best possible quality.
Rating: Summary: FINALLY... AVAILABLE FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT Review: This is the fourth in the GAMERA/GAMMERA series. Its pretty clever in its plot. It is also the first movie in this series to be aimed squarely at children. And children will certainly enjoy it the most. The original
title was GAMERA VS. SPACE MONSTER VIRAS But the title was
changed to DESTROY ALL PLANETS when American International
sold the film to TV in a package deal with DESTROY ALL MONSTERS.
No planets get destroyed at all, but we do get to see three lengthy
flashbacks to the monster battles from the previous movies. You will either love or hate this. Much of the destruction is also made up of stock footage from the first two films, some is even in black and white (its supposed to be tinted sepia or pink and orange during the fire scenes, but since this is a faded print it just looks B&W) You will probably hate
this. Much of the real fun involves two boyscouts having an adventure while trapped on an invading alien spacecraft. They discover all kinds
of weird things. Overall, an OK movie but great fun for your younger kids.
Rating: Summary: weee... its sunday afternoon in the 1970's. ..errr.. oops Review: Wow, this one took me back. That was great. I remember this one from a sunday afternoon one summer in the 1970's. KSTW 11's Sci-Fi Theater. Hahahaha. Anyways... The picture quality on this DVD was better then I expected it to be after viewing the crappy print used on the War of the Monsters DVD from the same company. This one is much better. The colors are pretty good considering the print used. I also picked up Gamera: Attack of the Monsters, which looks pretty good also...considering the budget release it is. Unfortunatly, its full screen, instead of the original widescreen aspect ratio, which IS available on VHS! (that sucks weiners IMHO, why are we taking backwards steps here people?!? heheh) So, if you like sci-fi flicks that remind you of weekend afternoon tv when you were a kid, or latenight tv when you were in college, or if you're just a fan of rubber monster movies, then grab this DVD while its out. And... keep those fingers crossed for some widescreen attention to be paid to gamera!!!
Rating: Summary: Best Gamera movie! Review: Yep, aliens are trying to invade japan again! It's up to Gamera and his two young helpers to defeat them. Striped, egg-shaped ships are whirling about, causing havoc! The sinister aliens have even taken control of big-Gs tiny, turtle brain! Can he break free of their power? Will he be able to do battle with / defeat their bird-beaked, octopoid critter from beyond the stars? Can we possibly survive the aliens' use of seemingly endless flashbacks of other Gamera movies? Let us hope. My 8yo absolutely loves this movie! That's all that really matters anyway...
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