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    2023 Autumn

    Is This The Most Underrated Gamera Film?



    Is This The Most Underrated Gamera Film?

    Gamera vs. Barugon marked a major turning point for the Gamera franchise. After the surprise success of the original film, Daiei Studios raised the stakes with a bigger budget, a new director, and a more serious tone. This was the first time Gamera battled another monster, and the result was a slow-burning kaiju film that prioritized mood, horror, and moral consequences over spectacle.

    In this in-depth retrospective, I break down the chaotic behind-the-scenes development, including early drafts like Gamera vs. the Ice Men from Outer Space, and explore how screenwriter Niisan Takahashi grounded the story in postwar trauma and betrayal. I take a close look at Shigeo Tanaka’s direction, Noriaki Yuasa’s special effects work, and the ambitious miniature destruction sequences that gave this sequel its weight.

    But it’s not all praise. We also dive into the film’s slow pacing, its awkward structure, and the problematic use of brownface in portraying indigenous characters. Plus, I compare Barugon’s design to other kaiju of the era and tackle the long-standing rumor that Daiei copied Toho’s Baragon. Whether you’re a lifelong Gamera fan or new to the series, this retrospective offers a fresh look at one of the franchise’s most unusual entries. Part two of my Gamera retrospective series is here…Gamera vs. Gyaos is up next.

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    💬 Let me know in the comments—did Barugon deserve more love? Or is this still one of the slower Gamera outings?

    #Gamera #Barugon #KaijuMovies #GameraVsBarugon #FirewoodMedia #KaijuRetrospective #Tokusatsu #1960sCinema #godzilla

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    26件のコメント

    1. @arrestedsolidyhe77sp on

      BASED!!! VS BARUGON IS UNDERRATED AS FUCK. I think it is probably the best (objectively speaking) showa Gamera movie, tho I prefer vs Guiron a bit more just because it is fun.

    2. @ReelJumpersPodcast on

      This film is possibly my favorite of the Showa era Gamera. The serious tone is surprising, considering the rest of the era and i would consider this a fantastic film if only it could tackle its pacing and lack of focus you mentioned. I was also suprised this film was actually given a significant budget, considering the reputation of the franchise. This is also a personal favorite MST3K episode about this film.

      Love the videos, big inspiration.

    3. @kingcheerio8558 on

      I used to watch this on an old vhs tape that also had Gamera Vs. Zigra on it. The tonal whiplash between those two movies is what I blame for my manic personality lol

    5. @BrianRidgway-u5g on

      I always really liked this film. Even as a kid and viewing it on a small television, l was always surprised how beautiful this film looked. The ARROW DVD package of these early Gamera films are impressive and they stand on par with Toho's films of that era.

    7. @ChaseKaijuReviews on

      I absolutely love Gamera. I think even the older ones pushed the limits they best they could. The way they filmed it wasn't like Godzilla's, but it was still interesting to see another Japanese kaiju on the screen, and it was cool. I thinki In the shows, 😮😮it was always ? you could tell they were trying to push the movies more. It's got its own. I remember seeing Gamera fight Baragon. I watched Ultra Q, and that show had a black and white ammonosity to it, and the sci-fi episodes of every episode were really a the shows weren't long.. hand I enjoyed the black in white, just like the other Japanese films like in the early Gamera . But I agree Gamera never had that film cinema vibes like Godzilla did. But I do give them credit for trying. T

    9. @williamterry8316 on

      About the Islanders: granted the look is a problem. But at least it's not as tough to watch as King Kong vs Godzilla. They are still casting Asian actors for these crowd scenes in the Monster Universe.
      The cream of the crop is the black actors in the original King Kong, who are adorable, put on a great musical performance and show genuine terror when Kong shows up.

    10. @huntercoleman460 on

      Gamera vs. Barugon is my favorite Gamera movie. Mainly because it’s only one in the Showa series not to have an annoying kid character. I honestly wish the series had continued in this direction.

    11. @DylanFoxGuy2k10 on

      In My Opinion, Gamera vs. Barugon Was A 6/10. I Mean, I Usually Liked That Movie, When It Wasn’t The Best, But I Still Just Liked It Anyway

    13. @Tarbtano on

      This one is a very interesting watch for me because objectively it is probably the best of the Showa era Gamera films. However it doesn't feel much like a Gamera movie as much as it does a Godzilla movie with a Gamera texture pack installed. I do definitely like the fighting and the human action is actually pretty good. I just can't admit a very big soft spot for the big turtle being a lot more benevolent and outwardly heroic than he is here.

    14. @TheKaijuKing54 on

      Barugon deserves more respect. Despite being the first monster that Gamers fought, he hasn’t received much recognition in the franchise. In fact, for Gamera Rebirth, every monster from Gamera’s Showa Era appears except Barugon. The poor guy deserves better.

    15. @Laissez-faire402 on

      I know Barugon has some cache since its the only Showa entry that doesn't have a Kenny in it, but it's just boring for me, even if Barugon is a cool kaiju. Gyaos, Guiron, and even Jiger are all still more entertaining films.

    19. @pizzaman8918 on

      This movie is the only Showa Gamera film that wasn’t just eh or full on brainrot. I liken it to a mid-tier Honda film during the Golden Age

    20. @melasnexperience on

      This was my first exposure to Gamera (yes, it was via MST3k but still), and I liked how it was basically The Pardoner's Tale with some kaiju thrown in. It feels like an outlier in a good way.

    25. @andrewtaylor940 on

      I always like this one as the more adult story. The human story setup always reminds me a little bit of Rodan or Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster. Like this is the only Showa Gamera Movie where I clearly remember the human story elements beyond "I hate these fluq'ing kids!". Barugon is unfortunately dragged down by some less than steller Kaiju effects. Barugon looks like a sock puppet. And once you see it you can't unsee it. Later Gamera movies would mostly have much more interest monster designs.