[Mesnick]

I like the reference to this movie in "Godzilla vs. Megaguirus":
"- The Americans claim that Godzilla attacked New York. But this is not certain."

[GoldenXtreme]

I checked out some of the Yokai Monster films! A very strange little series.

100 Monsters: This is a kind of tokusatsu film you see periodically with older stuff, where it is mostly your typical feudal Japan movie, but it also throws in some supernatural elements so they can flex their special effects work. Due to this, the yokai are pretty secondary, but its not a bad little movie. Probably my favorite part of this one was how exaggerated the villains were. Literally show up, threaten to tear down a shrine and housing to build a brothel, then beat an old man to death.

Spook Warfare: This is the most famous of the films, for good reason. While it is still a period drama, it mostly focuses on yokai fighting against an invading Babylonian demon, creating a cool monster vs. monster conflict that also connects nicely to the human drama, since the demon is going around possessing and killing people. It was also surprisingly comedic, with lots of gag scenes and slapstick.

Along With Ghosts: Definitely the weakest of the ones I watched. This one goes back to the typical period drama style of the first, but the supernatural elements are even more disconnected from the main story.

The Great Yokai War: A 2005 reimagining of the series, directed by the madcap Takashi Miike. Miike left me as gobsmacked as ever, it was an absolutely chaotic film. It has some issues, such as scenes that are just narrative dead ends and stuff that just really needed to be explained better. Still, I ended up quite drawn into it and it was pretty unique. Watch Kato Yasunori from the Teito Monogatari series get defeated by a bean! Thighs! Nightmarish machines! Kirin beer product placement! Extremely dark humor scene where a cop accidentally shoots someone in the head! Pee gag! The killing of indigenous groups in Japan! Fascinating, though I felt like it was a movie that was aimed at everyone and no one at the same time.

[Mesnick]

There is also The Great Yokai War: Guardians (2021) - sequel/remake of the 2005th movie.

[DreamSword]

Switchblade is now legally obligated to watch the BIMA franchise. I will not elaborate further.

[Switchblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

Switchblade is now legally obligated to watch the BIMA franchise. I will not elaborate further.

I assume this means Mayu Gamou shows up in a... episode? of this... show?

[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

I assume this means Mayu Gamou shows up in a... episode? of this... show?

You're on the right track, but not quite there.

[GoldenXtreme]

I was very intrigued ever since I heard about Q: The Winged Serpent the first time, and finally got around to giving it a watch. This is an American low-budget film from the 80s that smashes together a giant monster with a police procedural. I kind of expected it to be a quality movie for some reason, but it was a good stupid film instead! There is some kind of incoherent plot about an Aztec murder cult resurrecting Quetzalcoatl and our hilariously incompetent protagonist blundering around completely failing at all his attempts at crimes and extortion. One of those movies where the actual jokes fell flat but I found myself laughing out loud at all the unintentional comedy from the dialogue and plot. Honestly a pretty dang fun time. My biggest complaint is that this is one of those films with terrible audio editing, so the dialogue is often sounds mumbled and it blurs into the music and sound effects. It didn't have subtitles, so I ended up cranking the volume way up, which let me understand the broad strokes of what was being said, but it was not a nice way to watch.

[Mesnick]

Most tokusatsu fans are quite dismissive of Kabutack. It is even more surprising that this particular show received a New Year's special this year. And what a one! To create this little 20-minute comedy adventure, the international collaboration of several companies was required. First of all: Toya, the copyright holder. Secondly: the Chinese Alpha group, which essentially filmed the special and provided a villain for it.
And thirdly: the Bilibili platform, which promoted it, whose bloggers and employees were mentioned, and some even starred in it.
As for the rush itself, it is a story in the spirit of the original show, whose characters were temporarily transported to modern China. A frivolous presentation with a simple childish moral. Elements of the original are skillfully combined with modern special effects. During the battles it is very noticeable that they were filmed by the Chinese. Less wrestling, more flying, compared to the usual tokusatsu. Also, the photo in the finale managed to touch me.
In addition, I can’t help but notice that the release of this rush spurred the resumption of Kabutak’s translation. One can only hope that the translators will have enough passion for Robotak and then it will be possible to watch all the Metal Heroes. Although, who knows, maybe the franchise will have a new life in the modern world?

[Switchblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

Most tokusatsu fans are quite dismissive of Kabutack.

It's not for me, but the theme song is an absolute banger.

[GuardianAngel87]

I never got around to start watching on Kabutack is really due to the show itself not being fully subbed.