Gamera 3 : La Revanche d'Iris

I have been putting off watching because I thought the movie was going to be kinda campy, not worthy of immediate viewing but after reading some rave reviews for this flick I decided to watch it. It was worth it, the movie is very good for a monster movie. There have been the inevitable comparisons to Godzilla, but Gamera stacks up VERY well to the big guy. I've been waiting for the CGI effects to catch up with the ambitious visions of the monster movie makers and it's finally here, although by "normal" Hollywood movie standards the price spent on this movie would not even pay for 1/4 of Tom Cruises salary. I would like to see a big-budget movie made, but then again it might ruin the franchise, maybe the "campiness" and "guy-in-the-rubber-suit" are what defines these flicks. Anyway, Gamera is NO JOKE in this movie. He goes after his enemy, the "Gayous" birds with a single-minded vengeance that is surprising. He hates those things. His powers are so cool also. He has got a fire-breath like Godzilla, except is seems more focused, but his coolest asset is his ability to fly, with 4 jets in his shell sockets. This guy is outrageous, he flies in like a flying saucer, kicked-ass and then jetted out looking like the space-shuttle at full after-burner! You gotta check that scene out! And the night flying scenes with Isis in the cloudy night was amazing! The CGI effects with Gamera at full after-burn is priceless! The story is pretty decent and the special affects are great, albeit a little sparsely used. I kinda like Gamera a little more than Godzilla, he was so tough that in one scene he got impaled by Isis, then to get free he burns his own arm OFF!! This Gamera film is said the be the best of the 3 and that's true, much better special effects. Good film, recommended.

The only kaiju movie which surpasses this is the original Gojira. This movie has the best Fx of any kaiju movie, rivaling even the big budget hollywood films of that time. Gamera looks better than ever, giving the viewer a sense of fear, but at the same time, you can tell that Gamera is still the good guy. While Guardian of the Universe and G2 were both spectacular, G3 surpasses both of them. This is the definitive kaiju movie. There is one thing I would like to see, though. If at all possible, I would like ADV to advertise this film. Even the mostly anti-kaiju population of North America would enjoy watching this movie. If how well the Tristar film did in theaters is any indication, then a good and well advertised kaiju film can be a blockbuster. The Tristar film did well, and it sucked.

This movie, being the last of the Gamera saga, is the best of the bunch. Not only are the effects top-notch, (particularly the scenes in which Gamera and Gaos birds are fighting over the city with no particular regard to human life), but the story of loss and vengeance with a young girl tied to one the first movies in the series brings a more darker theme to the genre. It's not necessarily required to watch all of the movies to catch up, but it couldn't hurt. The newer design for Gamera is the best design for him yet. He should have always been this way, however, since his appearance has changed in all three movies, they never explain how or why that is. I gather that they expect us to believe that he has always looked that way, especially since a flashback scene from the first Gamera movie features his new design instead of the one he had for the movie. The ending is a very clever touch to have fans gasping for more. If you're a giant kaiju fan this movie i would highly recommend.

Everyone's favorite flying, fire-breathing turtle is back, this time facing a threat unlike anything this world has ever seen. Old faces return alongside strange new ones in this dark, epic climax to the Gamera trilogy.

Plot: The Gyaos have returned, newly evolved and multiplying like crazy around the world. As if that isn't bad enough, a new foe has emerged, one who has been bred by the hate of a teenage girl who harbors a grudge against Gamera for accidentally killing her parents in the first film. This new creature is called Iris (named after the girl's deceased pet cat), a mysterious armored, blood-sucking squid creature with immense destructive power and a genetic link to the Gyaos. With the military once again hunting Gamera, will all this be too much for the Guardian of the Universe?

The stakes are raised and so is the severity of the violence. Tons of people are laid waste as the monsters battle each other for supremacy, destroying everything in their path. It's great. Gamera looks really fearsome, looking as if he will stop at nothing until all his monstrous enemies are destroyed. He even has some new tricks up his giant sleeve. Iris is a fascinating creature, bringing a sense of both awe and dread to his presence, especially when he's flying. In fact, he reminds me of an Angel from "Evangelion". It's nice seeing some of the old cast in this one like Gamera's human companion Asagi, who has really grown as a character. Some the new characters are interesting while others are strange, which is why sometimes I feel that this film may appeal to goths. The star here is Ayana, whose backstory and hatred for the turtle and backstory allow her to stand out from the rest of the cast.

I do have problems with this one. I didn't like how some people, military included, now want Gamera dead again. Come on, the Gyaos, certified man-eaters, have returned and yet their too busy complaining about the damage Gamera causes while he's trying to kill them. Even a fortune teller believes Gamera is some evil spirit. What evil spirit saves people? Furthermore, this causes Ayana's hatred to blend in with theirs, which, given the main conflict, should not be the case; the film would've been better served if she was the only one with a serious grudge. Plus, once again Gamera takes quite a bit of punishment. I'm tired that. At this time, he should be dishing out lot more damage to his enemies, especially with his trademark fire breath.

For all its problems, Gamera 3 is still worth the watch. It's a shame it ended the way it did and that its low-budget sequel that ended the storyline never made it to theaters and an American release. Check this flick out if your a monster movie fan. Or a goth lover.

Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris is quite unlike any other kaiju film ever made. It sees the filmmakers taking the lessons learned from their previous experiences and delivering what is possibly the most satisfying conclusion one could ask this epic trilogy.

Revenge of Iris takes the story full circle. It has the greatest strength any monster film could have, a compelling human story. This one taking a look at the impact the genre's larger than life creatures have on the world around them. Ayana and her monster Iris serve has the perfect foil against Gamera. It's a spiritual film that ultimately asks one to have faith. To have faith in Gamera and what he represents, a force of good that will never surrender no matter what.

The special effects are absolutely marvelous. I highly recommend you get a hold of some behind the scenes footage because the sheer effort and creativity at display is simple fantastic. The film has a interesting mix of cgi and practical effects that, while might not always be perfect, nonetheless delivers a sense of wonder and awe. It may have less monster action then the previous films, but the exchange is some of the most exemplary and intense monster spectacle out of any kaiju film.

Gamera 3 is a testament to the talent of its filmmakers. While they may have had smaller budgets and less resources than the Godzilla films of the time, their work on this trilogy exceeds them by far. Kaneko's trilogy is one of the most unique and well done monster films you'll ever have the pleasure of seeing.