MST3K Vs. Gamera: Mystery Science Theater 3000 Vol. XXI
DVD
Starring Joel Hodgson, Trace Beaulieu, Kevin Murphy, Frank Conniff, Jim Mallon, Patrick Brantseg
Release Date: August 2, 2011

One of the many reasons why Shout! Factory has become my new favorite DVD distributor, in addition to their awesome reissue of vintage drive-in cult classics from producer Roger Corman, is because of the great love and respect they have shown Mystery Science Theater 3000 since taking over the license to reissue classic episodes of the show from Rhino several years ago.

In terms of overall presentation Shout!’s MST3K box sets have trumped Rhino in every way possible. I’ve spoken before at great length about how Mystery Science Theater 3000 was not only one of my favorite television shows of all time, but also a major influence on me as a person, and if you doubt that assertion you may feel free to read my review of Volume XX, the previous set obviously, here.

Gamera: The Giant Monster
DVD
Directed by Noriaki Yuasa
Starring Eiji Funakoshi, Harumi Kiritachi
Shout! Factory
Release Date: May 18, 2010

If you’re like me, your only exposure to Gamera may be from episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000. I’ve never seen the film without the familiar silhouettes in front, but Shout! Factory has recently released the first two Gamera films on DVD, so now is our chance to see the original film, with a new English translation. If you’re a fan of Godzilla movies, this will be right up your alley. The rest of us will find a goofy monster movie that may not be a great movie, but is fun to watch.

This is the part of the review where I would discuss the plot of the film, but you know what? Screw it. It’s a giant turtle, and he rampages. That’s all you need to know. Gamera is a pale imitator of Godzilla, but that’s okay, because it’s still good fun. You have the traditional man in the rubber suit, the scientists trying to destroy him, and the child who sees him as a misunderstood friend. Plot is largely unimportant in any of these giant monster films. It’s all about the fun of watching the monster take out a major metropolitan area.