The Daimajin Trilogy???????

[countchocula]

Regarded as some of the best Japanese creature features in existence, the Daimajin trilogy (Daimajin, Return of Daimajin, Wrath of Daimajin) has managed to slip under my radar! I just discovered these flicks a few minutes ago! Being a connoisseur of fine arts (Godzilla films), I should've heard of the Daimajin films by now! Has anyone seen them? They're being released on DVD tomorrow as a box set, and Amazon's price is agreeable...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006CY4G/ref=ase_evilshopnet/103-8713916-5882268

Too fucking tempting!

[Lord Crumb]

Cool beans!
Haven't seen these either, but I probably should take a peek. Looks interesting.

[Klownzilla]

BTW, The Daimajin Trilogy was made by the Japanese company Daiei, which is famous for Gamera films. I've seen action figures for Daimajin at the House of Monsters.

[Bomont the Destroyer]

I got a free copy of the DVD trilogy. Very cool little set. I've only watched the first one so far, but it was pretty good. A little slow at times, but good still. It looked very nice picture wise for a 30+ year old Japanese monster movie. I've heard the next two have a lot more monster action stuff in it. So I'll be getting to those soon here.

[countchocula]

I watched Daimajin last night. I'm surprised that it kept my interest for a full hour without there being any Majin-related action going on. The human drama works well, and is taken very seriously. We even get a couple of amusing swordfights to salivate over. Once the title warrior is awakened, the "stomp" mentality takes over, and I loved it! The effects really aren't as crude as I thought they would be. Overall, this is a strong film. I'll report back once I delve into the sequels.

[countchocula]

Originally posted by countchocula
I'll report back once I delve into the sequels.

God, I'm a loser. I just now watched Return of Daimajin. I have no idea why I waited so long. Anyway, it was an epic, stirring film. The scenery is lush, the pacing is controlled, and characterization comes first. Unfortunately, the leads are children. We spend the first hour with four little boys as they embark on a peregrination across Majin's mountain. It's more engrossing than it sounds. While the acting is stiff, the wee paladins are well-written and surprisingly mature (almost too mature for their age). The kaiju action is unsparing. The entire third act is reserved for rigid carnage and just desserts. Everything looks beautiful - the snowy landscapes, the malachite frondescence (I promise never to use those words again), and even the stinging violence.

So far, this trilogy is fucking killer. The Daimajin films are easily some of the best kaiju romps of all time, if not the best. Would someone else please watch them??!!? They don't receive nearly enough recognition.