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Gamera The Brave - 4 1/2 stars

“Gamera The Brave” is not only probably the best “Gamera” movie but it’s also arguably the best giant monster film from Japan that I’ve seen. While the early “Gamera” films may be too goofy for some (not for me though), I felt some of the 90s ones took themselves a little too seriously and the C.G.I. was overused. “Gamera The Brave” finds a sweet spot in the middle of the two styles.

In 1973, Gamera sacrificed himself to defend the world from Gyaos. Decades later, the young Toru (Ryô Tomioka) discovers a baby turtle. He befriends the turtle but it starts growing to an enormous size and it is also exhibiting other super abilities. Soon, this new turtle will become the new Gamera and help save the Earth from the threat of Zedus.

The design of Gamera here seems like a perfect blend between the goofy monster of the 60s and 70s and the more serious design of the 90s. Zedus is pretty terrific too. It never gets old watching guys in rubber suits battle it out as giant monsters. Some C.G.I. is used for a few of the monsters’ attacks but it never feels overdone. The human characters are surprisingly enjoyable. The friendship formed by Toru and the new Gamera is actually quite heart-warming for a film about a flying turtle monster.

“Gamera The Brave” is a wonderful movie. It has a childlike innocence to it but it also delivers on the monster action. I can’t believe I’m admitting this but I actually felt emotionally engaged and that’s something you really can’t say about most kaiju (Japanese giant monster) films. If you’ve never seen any of the other “Gamera” films then this is the perfect place to start. If you’re a fan, you’ll likely enjoy this one a lot.

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