Daimajin

pirateneckbeard4.0

I ate this up with it's building and questioning whether if this community actually has a protector... well really when is this stone giant going to show up and create some destruction. Clearly this was Daiei Films answer to Toho's Godzilla and gives a more religious focus and the evils of men rather than other monsters but really is just as rampaging in his destruction not caring for the damage it does only seeing it answered the call to attack the evils of men. Honestly I had a hoot with this with it's similar score to Godzilla with blown out bass horns plus the creepy organ sounds familiar to a lot of scores in Japan during that time that I always find charming. So now the story has one of the lord of the village being overthrown by his first in command who wants power and this happens really right out of the gate with Kogenta saving the children as the parents die and cut to about 10 years later with everyone in the village enslaved to build the fortress for the evil Samanosuke that calls Kogenta to help them only to be caught. I'll leave it at that but honestly I love the look of this film and when Daimajin hits the dance floor all eyes are fully focused on his sick stony moves. I have to say I had immense enjoyment in watching this crazy flick and can't wait to check out the next two in the series and if you like a giant golem looking menacing bringing justice then cut your slice of Daimajin justice pie.

Rafael "Mister Movie" Jovine3.5

KAIJULY: GODS AND MONSTERSFINALLY! After a series of stinkers -some even garbage- I finally got around to watching a really good film that takes the Kaiju concept to a higher (pun intended) level, as what starts as a solid period drama in which feudal lords get overthrown in a violent coup by an evil ruler and the true heir flees just to return to get what was his. The sword fighting and choreography and all were fun. The performances are all really good, with Takada succeeding at bringing the emotion and some of the heart to the film. They do a decent job building up Daimajin to the point it does get a little ridiculous after a while.However, one does not come into this movie for the heart or samurai action but for the gigantic god Kaiju, and in this case, the film also delivers. The design is simple yet so striking and memorable. The concept of a vengeful god may not be a new thing in concept, but here, because of the background in which it exists, it feels fresh. The mayhem at the end when the true Kaiju action kicks off was fun.TODAY SCHEDULEGodzilla vs MechagodzillaDaimajinReturn of DaimajinWrath of Daimajin

Kaijuman3.5

A Walk Amongst Monsters #98You know, I’d take Daimajin much more seriously if he didn’t always look like he was constipated.This is the sort of Kaiju film that would’ve been hated by younger me. No Kaiju action until the last 20 or so minutes? Hell no! Luckily I’m a somewhat more matured adult so I can truly appreciate this film.The plot isn’t anything new. Feudal lords being overthrown in violent coups, the true heirs fleeing to one day return as adults, the new lord is evil for the sake of evil, you’ve seen it before. But it’s a formula that works well, as it does here.The opening coup is some damn fine samurai chaos. Just a bunch of dudes with swords running throughout a castle killing each other. I loved it.Daimajin himself is fine, him being a force of destruction makes him a much more intimidating Kaiju than many. I’ve always preferred his stone statue design before he becomes the spirit of vengeance. I just love the simple look of a giant stone statue moving about. His angry green look is still cool, but sometimes simpler is better in my eyes.While he doesn’t appear until the climax, Daimajin’s presence is felt from the opening credits. The way the locals worship and fear him and the eerie rumblings from the mountain really make him feel like a true force to be reckoned with.The atmosphere absolutely rules here. From the moody opening with an animated wolf howling to the beautiful resting place of Daimajin in the side of a mountain next to a waterfall, this film is knows how to set the mood. The whole film is gorgeous, but the climax really goes all out.The dark overcast skies with fierce winds, the blood red horizon surrounding the town, Daimajin effortlessly tearing buildings apart as he unleashes his wrath, it’s a top tier finale. Daimajin flat out impales a dude with the metal spike that’s stuck in his forehead. That’s metal as fuck man.I’m pretty excited to check out it’s two sequels now! Hard to believe all three were released in the same year!