This is basically an average, run-of-the-mill, standard-formula, by-the-numbers film. No more, no less. It has its good parts and its bad parts and plenty of clichés. The only things lacking are three-dimensional characters and a real love story.
The plot deals with an expedition that goes to a South Pacific island looking for plants and animals with which to stock a new amusement park back in Japan. Instead, they discover a baby Gappa, a prehistoric lizard. Scientists see a valuable study opportunity. The businessmen aboard see a prime attraction for their park and so, against the wishes of the islanders, they take the baby away.
Of course, baby has parents. Parents wreck the island and then Japan looking for baby. Nasty humans finally wise up and return baby.
Unfortunately for this movie, which was released in 1967, the theme was done much better the previous year with the British classic "Gorgo." It was also done much better in Japan in the early 60's in "Mothra" and "Godzilla vs. The Thing." The best thing about the film is the special effects and that's saying a lot.
Sadly, the special effects were directed by Akira Watanabe, who did the groundbreaking work in "Gojira/Godzilla, King of the Monsters." In this movie, the creative-looking monsters stomp things and walk around in real time (to imply immenseness, Watanabe had the actor in the Godzilla suit walk slower and also slowed the film down a little), so it doesn't achieve the desired result. The monsters mysteriously shoot heat beams and are impervious to modern weapons (whereas in "Gojira," Watanabe could explain the atomic breath and hardened skin are fallout from the hydrogen bomb). Still, the military action is fast-paced and exciting, although I wonder still where they got all those missiles from.
Ironically, scientists come up with a way to use sound waves to drive the monsters nuts and get them out of a lake so that missiles can be used, yet no one thinks to use the sound waves to drive the monsters away for good.
One thing that was unintentionally funny. When the Gappas fly, it looks really cheesy. You'll instantly think of the flying monkeys from "The Wizard of Oz," only the Gappas look far worse.
If anything, even a Grade B movie needs decent, fleshed-out characters. This movie has none. The main scientist is two-dimensional. His female assistant has a heart of ice. A reporter is one in name only (you never even see the guy reporting or writing). The love story between the reporter and the female scientist goes nowhere, even at the end. The little boy from the island who wants Gappa to be freed is so annoying you want the Gappas to step on him.
All in all, this is an enjoyable film for the action. But, don't go expecting "Gojira." By 1967, those days were long gone.
Interestingly, the film had some weird satirical elements, most of which failed. The expedition is welcomed to the island by natives who have been waiting for the promised return of the Japanese. It seems the island was occupied during WWII by the Japs and the islanders think that the Japanese were kind and gentle.
Also, the financier of the expedition runs a magazine called "Playmate" and wants to call his theme park "Playmateland." The magazine is supposed to cater to kids, but my first though was that it was a play on "Playboy." The worst satire had to be the ending. The female scientist laments her actions in helping bring the baby Gappa back. So, she decides to give up her career and be a "normal" girl. In Japan, where the feminist movement didn't catch on for another 20 years, it was okay. But, seeing that the movie was released in 1967, I don't think that would have garnered many laughs in America.
The plot deals with an expedition that goes to a South Pacific island looking for plants and animals with which to stock a new amusement park back in Japan. Instead, they discover a baby Gappa, a prehistoric lizard. Scientists see a valuable study opportunity. The businessmen aboard see a prime attraction for their park and so, against the wishes of the islanders, they take the baby away.
Of course, baby has parents. Parents wreck the island and then Japan looking for baby. Nasty humans finally wise up and return baby.
Unfortunately for this movie, which was released in 1967, the theme was done much better the previous year with the British classic "Gorgo." It was also done much better in Japan in the early 60's in "Mothra" and "Godzilla vs. The Thing." The best thing about the film is the special effects and that's saying a lot.
Sadly, the special effects were directed by Akira Watanabe, who did the groundbreaking work in "Gojira/Godzilla, King of the Monsters." In this movie, the creative-looking monsters stomp things and walk around in real time (to imply immenseness, Watanabe had the actor in the Godzilla suit walk slower and also slowed the film down a little), so it doesn't achieve the desired result. The monsters mysteriously shoot heat beams and are impervious to modern weapons (whereas in "Gojira," Watanabe could explain the atomic breath and hardened skin are fallout from the hydrogen bomb). Still, the military action is fast-paced and exciting, although I wonder still where they got all those missiles from.
Ironically, scientists come up with a way to use sound waves to drive the monsters nuts and get them out of a lake so that missiles can be used, yet no one thinks to use the sound waves to drive the monsters away for good.
One thing that was unintentionally funny. When the Gappas fly, it looks really cheesy. You'll instantly think of the flying monkeys from "The Wizard of Oz," only the Gappas look far worse.
If anything, even a Grade B movie needs decent, fleshed-out characters. This movie has none. The main scientist is two-dimensional. His female assistant has a heart of ice. A reporter is one in name only (you never even see the guy reporting or writing). The love story between the reporter and the female scientist goes nowhere, even at the end. The little boy from the island who wants Gappa to be freed is so annoying you want the Gappas to step on him.
All in all, this is an enjoyable film for the action. But, don't go expecting "Gojira." By 1967, those days were long gone.
Interestingly, the film had some weird satirical elements, most of which failed. The expedition is welcomed to the island by natives who have been waiting for the promised return of the Japanese. It seems the island was occupied during WWII by the Japs and the islanders think that the Japanese were kind and gentle.
Also, the financier of the expedition runs a magazine called "Playmate" and wants to call his theme park "Playmateland." The magazine is supposed to cater to kids, but my first though was that it was a play on "Playboy." The worst satire had to be the ending. The female scientist laments her actions in helping bring the baby Gappa back. So, she decides to give up her career and be a "normal" girl. In Japan, where the feminist movement didn't catch on for another 20 years, it was okay. But, seeing that the movie was released in 1967, I don't think that would have garnered many laughs in America.