Ganheddo

Despite the director of this movie callled himself the infamous nickname Allan Smithee and despite the setting is dark, is very entertaining Japanese 80s cyberpunk action movie style of James Cameroon at that time.

After the big war with humans against machinese on an island, old computer scrap is valuable as gold. A group of scrap hunters (with names that begins with B) discover the old island and land to find some scrap metal. But after they discover two kids and one female ranger and the good machine Gunhed. When the other machines come alive they have to work together to survive.

Despite its mostly dark scenes, it's very exciting and entertaining, the acting is pretty good, and the foreign actors in this movie is also pretty good. And if you have seen terminator 1 and 2 this one is a good treat.

This movie is pure fun. Ok....so it may be a bit cheesy at times, and maybe some of the plot curves make little sense, but who cares? It is still a decent cyberpunk movie to be watched. My friends and I love this movie and anyone with a little desire to have fun should too. See it. You may love it, you may regret it, but at least you gave it a chance.

Gunhed is by no means an Oscar contender, but if you are a fan of Japanese Fantasy Films, or even a sci-fi fan, I see no reason why you wouldn't enjoy it. Though the plot may be a bit convoluted at times, I find that after multiple watchings (at least twice) a lot more makes sense. What you can't make out of the plot, ignore it and watch the action sequences! A lot goes on with this movie, and it's some of the better "giant robot/machine" technology I have ever seen. I would like to address a few complaints I've heard/read regarding the film:

1. "It makes no sense!"- Remember, this is one of those sci-fi, neo-future, cyberpunk, check your brain at the door films. They can write their own history of technology.

2. "It wasn't anime!"- No, though the film was released through ADVFilms, which mostly produce Japanese Animation, they have obtained the rights to distribute some live-action Japanese films. If you didn't like Gunhed because it wasn't anime, or you only want to see anime, then you may also want to stay away from ADV's copies of Destroy All Monsters, and the Daimajin Trilogy.

3. "They should have used CGI!"- Keep in mind, this movie was made in 1989. Even the Americans weren't using much CGI back then!

Like I said, enjoy this movie for what it is!

Incredible special effects make this movie worthwhile. For a movie made from Toho it has special effects worthy of an Oscar in 1989. The Japanese version is the one you should watch because it has better dialouge and it isn't dubbed. Visually intriguing but not a very competent plot. Rated R for some strong violence, blood, and profanity. Grade: B+

I saw this movie, listed as "Gunhed" on Sci-Fi channel and complained often about how difficult it was to make out what was happening because the film is dark and has a green lighting to it retro-reminiscent, of Matrix. Also the cuts and scene transitions are seemingly random including some dotted dissolves early on which just don't work. So I was surprised at myself to want to check it out on DVD to view on my RP wide screen TV. I fully intend to. I love atmosphere heavy films and this is nothing if not that. It has a nice texture, good action and a remarkably good blending of mecho-maniac gadgetry and robotic "acting", without CGI. Some modern directors will not use CGI except for things which literally could not exist w/o such imagi-creation and this film deserves credit for doing so well w/o CGI.

Cyber-punk?... Decidedly! Plot?... yes, pretty much... well... some techno-scavengers dare an island, the smoking site of a robo-rebellion (since put-down) find a female soldier type person. One thief, the woman and some latter discovered child refugees struggle against a still surviving cyber-ruler program.

I couldn't sell this movie at gun point by describing it, but I still like it and believe viewing it will win over many who risk it. Just for reference, the first movie I ever bought was Blade Runner.