Now Available from Unearthed Films.
Following the death of a researcher, his daughter teams up with martial artist boyfriend and a CIA agent to find out what happened, discovering beasts and weirdness on the way.
Produced by Brian Yuzna, the film had a big name pushing it along, leading to a fun, slightly messy, a little ridiculous, and definitely gooey. Written by Jon Purdy based in characters created by Yoshiki Takaya and directed by Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang, a group of folks meant to make a crazy film with loads of practical effects. The film here is almost more of a special effects showcase than anything else. However, as things stand, the story is decently entertaining with some decent writing and good direction. There are a few moments that make you wonder where this whole thing came from, but in general, it’s a fun ride.
The cast here is led by Vivian Wu as the researcher’s daughter Mizky, Jack Armstrong as her potential boyfriend Sean, and Mark Hamill as CIA Agent Max Reed. This central group is not perfect by any means in their performances, but they are here to have fun and just go a little weird, both of which they succeed in. Joining them are a bunch creatures and a few other humans including Michael Berryman, Jimmy JJ Walker, Greg Joung Paik, and so many others. The performances as a whole are fun and that is exactly what the film needs here. Of course, a few bits and pieces don’t work or haven’t aged well, but overall, the acting works.
Supporting this work is the special effects crew from the aptly named Creature Effects Crew. Their work here shows beautifully well on screen with creatures that look good, move well, and are mostly expressive. The creature work is one of the reasons to pick this one up and to make it a regular feature in a wide collection of films. It’s, once again, fun, which is all monster movies should be really. Well, fun and/or scary, so fun here is the top.
The film here is made to showcase the creatures and the Guyver himself, so the cinematography by Levie Isaacks works with this really well. The team who handled the lighting here should be commended for letting us see the creatures clearly and not just in veiled darkness. The lighting is on point with cinematography that works with it quite well. These are of course paired with work of editor Andy Horvitch and co-editor Joe Woo Jr. These two clearly knew how to make this a dynamic movie that moves at a good pace.
The new release here looks great with clear, crisp images and a good quality sound. It’s also loaded with extras, so many extras, that to go through them all is something to plan ahead for as it will take days. The best of the bunch here are the outtakes (all new releases should include those like they used to in early 2000s), a gag reel which is fun, suits tests for the special effects, new commentary with Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang, new interviews with both Brian Yuzna and Screaming Mad George, and finally, the soundtrack is included in the set, something that is always great.
The film here is fun, some bits having aged well and some not so much, overall effects are solid practical effects, the performances mostly work, the writing and direction work decently as well. This is not the best movie every, but it’s one to throw on with friends while hanging out or for a good film night where folks don’t take themselves too seriously. This is a fun one and this new release adds to the fun.