As far as the first round of Gamera films go, this one is OK. While the omnipresent kid has been added to the formula, the memorably chipper Gamera theme music (a kaiju-sized earworm) has yet to be heard. Briefly, construction and/or volcanos awaken Gyaos, a giant, bird-like monster that can emit a deadly sonic ray. A reporter, guided by a local boy Eiichi (Naoyuki Abe), investigates a mysterious glowing cave near the volcano, where they encounter the creature who promptly consumes the hapless reporter and captures the boy. Fortunately Gamera, who is fond of human children, shows up, and although badly wounded by Gyaos' sonic ray, rescues Eiichi before retiring to the sea floor to recuperate. Having shrugged off the JDF's ineffectual attacks, Gyaos descends on Nagoya, destroying buildings and eating people. Gamera reappears and attempts to hold the evil monster until the sun, the light from which is deadly to Gyaos, rises. Desperate to escape, Gyaos burns off its own foot and flies back to its cave, setting the stage for the final conflict. Despite the technicolour kaiju-gore (of which there is plenty), the movie is aimed at kids. Eiichi is a central character and gets to name Gyaos, ride on Gamera's back, propose defensive strategies, and generally show up in most non-Kaiju scenes. There are also a couple bumbling road-way workers for comic relief. The special effects are a mixed bag, some of the miniatures, such as the road construction set, are very good but the scenes in which monsters and humans interact (e.g. Eiichi riding on Gamera) are less successful. The Gyaos suit is not bad (I liked the pteranodon-like way the wings were articulated at the wrist) and the scenes in the glowing cave when the creature is regenerating its severed foot are quite effective. The titular kaiju melees are reasonably well done, especially the pyrotechnic work. On the down side, a static model seems to have been used for most of the airborne scenes, so Gyaos often flies more like a plane than an animal. All in all, Gamera is Gamera, and if you can't accept a giant, rocket-powered, flying turtle, then this is not the movie for you. If you can, then enjoy, as this is about as good as the first series gets. Watched with English dubbing.
Review of Gamera vs. Gyaos
