The absolute BEST Gamera movie ever made and definitely one of the greatest Kaiju flicks ever created as well. Just an all around amazing film that when compared to the original Gamera movies reveals the insane transition of the series as a whole from silly and goofy to serious and nuanced. I am so glad they decided to make this reboot trilogy because they are just so much better than the Showa era movies in my opinion and showcase Gamera’s intensity as not only a monster but a character as a whole. Before, he was always viewed as the friend to all children and the guardian of the universe, which he still is to some extent, but the dark side of what he represented was never realized in those early movies. Gamera was simply the hero and did no wrong. This movie goes all in on that dark side; the bad things that nobody ever batted an eye towards before. During the events of the first movie, Gamera accidentally and unintentionally killed the parents of a girl named Ayana and this leads her to absolutely despise Gamera. I love this movie’s story so much and the numerous character arcs, connections to the other two movies in the series, and the ways in which the human and monster stories are intertwined instead of being separated. This time, the monsters actions cause the main character’s motivations and therefore, the basis of the entire film. Ayana’s pure hatred for Gamera is the fuel for the monster Iris, one of the best looking and most powerful Kaiju’s ever put to film. Iris is truly remarkable and no words do it justice in my opinion. The numerous forms it takes, the way in which it grows, the psychic connection it has with Ayana (it presumably feeds off of her hate/lust for revenge against Gamera), and of course it’s insanely beautiful look that can only be described as otherworldly all converge to make an unforgettable antagonist that represents how revenge not only grows and grows, but how it usually only leads to more pain. Gamera caused Ayana’s pain and now that Ayana wants to reciprocate that feeling towards him, she is going to put many more people’s lives in danger, effectively creating an endless cycle of pain, death, and revenge. It’s virtually impossible for Gamera to save every last human being, but at the same time he causes a lot of destruction and sorrow in this movie, especially during the Shibuya sequence. The moral implications of these monsters existing in our world are quite interesting to consider. The thought provoking plot isn’t the only amazing thing about this movie, however. The practical effects are some of the best I’ve ever seen in a Kaiju movie and the many fight scenes between Gamera, Gyaos, and Iris are fantastic. From the aforementioned Shibuya explosion extravaganza to the climactic duel inside Kyoto Station that sees Gamera tear off his arm and rip out Iris’ guts, this is a pretty gnarly, gory, and intense film full of action, blood, and goop. The cgi leaves a lot to be desired, but it’s not terrible. Overall, this is a great film and even though it doesn’t include as grand of a final fight as the last two Gamera movies, its overall story and message makes this one of the best Kaiju films ever made. By the way, I think it’s pretty cool that Iris is a mutation of Gyaos.

The absolute BEST Gamera movie ever made and definitely one of the greatest Kaiju flicks ever created as well. Just an all around amazing film that when compared to the original Gamera movies reveals the insane transition of the series as a whole from silly and goofy to serious and nuanced. I am so glad they decided to make this reboot trilogy because they are just so much better than the Showa era movies in my opinion and showcase Gamera’s intensity as not only a monster but a character as a whole. Before, he was always viewed as the friend to all children and the guardian of the universe, which he still is to some extent, but the dark side of what he represented was never realized in those early movies. Gamera was simply the hero and did no wrong. This movie goes all in on that dark side; the bad things that nobody ever batted an eye towards before. During the events of the first movie, Gamera accidentally and unintentionally killed the parents of a girl named Ayana and this leads her to absolutely despise Gamera. I love this movie’s story so much and the numerous character arcs, connections to the other two movies in the series, and the ways in which the human and monster stories are intertwined instead of being separated. This time, the monsters actions cause the main character’s motivations and therefore, the basis of the entire film. Ayana’s pure hatred for Gamera is the fuel for the monster Iris, one of the best looking and most powerful Kaiju’s ever put to film. Iris is truly remarkable and no words do it justice in my opinion. The numerous forms it takes, the way in which it grows, the psychic connection it has with Ayana (it presumably feeds off of her hate/lust for revenge against Gamera), and of course it’s insanely beautiful look that can only be described as otherworldly all converge to make an unforgettable antagonist that represents how revenge not only grows and grows, but how it usually only leads to more pain. Gamera caused Ayana’s pain and now that Ayana wants to reciprocate that feeling towards him, she is going to put many more people’s lives in danger, effectively creating an endless cycle of pain, death, and revenge. It’s virtually impossible for Gamera to save every last human being, but at the same time he causes a lot of destruction and sorrow in this movie, especially during the Shibuya sequence. The moral implications of these monsters existing in our world are quite interesting to consider. The thought provoking plot isn’t the only amazing thing about this movie, however. The practical effects are some of the best I’ve ever seen in a Kaiju movie and the many fight scenes between Gamera, Gyaos, and Iris are fantastic. From the aforementioned Shibuya explosion extravaganza to the climactic duel inside Kyoto Station that sees Gamera tear off his arm and rip out Iris’ guts, this is a pretty gnarly, gory, and intense film full of action, blood, and goop. The cgi leaves a lot to be desired, but it’s not terrible. Overall, this is a great film and even though it doesn’t include as grand of a final fight as the last two Gamera movies, its overall story and message makes this one of the best Kaiju films ever made. By the way, I think it’s pretty cool that Iris is a mutation of Gyaos.

I was surprised to see how much I'd forgotten about the movie

I was surprised to see how much I'd forgotten about the movie

Might have to go re-evaluate my Godzilla ratings after this.

Might have to go re-evaluate my Godzilla ratings after this.

This movie improve the genre by lots.

The trauma and horror of battles. Cgi and angles which the kaijus are represented is better and full of purpose.

It really is a battle on every level. Kaijus but better, goverment even individuals whos fear ultimately resorts to such actions.

In the end where help are needed, gamera answers, in his own way, he'll fight, even if alone.

This movie improve the genre by lots.

The trauma and horror of battles. Cgi and angles which the kaijus are represented is better and full of purpose.

It really is a battle on every level. Kaijus but better, goverment even individuals whos fear ultimately resorts to such actions.

In the end where help are needed, gamera answers, in his own way, he'll fight, even if alone.

I just don't like any of the characters in this trilogy outside of the alcoholic scientist lady from the last one. I especially don't like any of the characters in this one, like the emo nihilist game devs death was my favorite part of this movie.

I just don't like any of the characters in this trilogy outside of the alcoholic scientist lady from the last one. I especially don't like any of the characters in this one, like the emo nihilist game devs death was my favorite part of this movie.