Monsters Are Attacking Tokyo!: The Incredible World of Japanese Fantasy Films

Rating:
Summary: A delightful glimpse at a one of a kind genre.
Review: This look at the addictive, wild and wonderfully whacky (and, at times, tacky) imported delight that is the Japanese fantasy movie. Most mainstream audiences only know of Godzilla, the true King of the Monsters, and, maybe, Gamera, the flying turtle and Guardian of the Universe. But there was much, much more than that to Japanese fantasy and Stuart Galbraith's predominantly oral history of the genre covers it all. The masters and witnesses speak for themselves, sharing memories and personal insights. The only sour note is one interviewee who takes delight in badmouthing and/or insulting every cult icon he had the priviledge to work with. Also Galbraith's review section treats just about everything made after the 'Golden Age' (50s to mid to late 60s) as dreck and I disagree with him almost completely. But neither of those commentaries ruins the book or casts a shadow over the contribution to Pop Culture these individuals made. A must have for fans, highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A delightful glimpse at a one of a kind genre.
Review: This look at the addictive, wild and wonderfully whacky (and, at times, tacky) imported delight that is the Japanese fantasy movie. Most mainstream audiences only know of Godzilla, the true King of the Monsters, and, maybe, Gamera, the flying turtle and Guardian of the Universe. But there was much, much more than that to Japanese fantasy and Stuart Galbraith's predominantly oral history of the genre covers it all. The masters and witnesses speak for themselves, sharing memories and personal insights. The only sour note is one interviewee who takes delight in badmouthing and/or insulting every cult icon he had the priviledge to work with. Also Galbraith's review section treats just about everything made after the 'Golden Age' (50s to mid to late 60s) as dreck and I disagree with him almost completely. But neither of those commentaries ruins the book or casts a shadow over the contribution to Pop Culture these individuals made. A must have for fans, highly recommended.