Japan is really famous for its giant monsters. The likes of Baragon, Hedorah and Megalon are all instantly recognizable. Oh yeah, they also made Godzilla. Anyhow, I want to talk about something most people don't know: they are not alone! Aside from some really sub-par attempts at the genre by the West, it has been all theirs. This little Thai import could grow to be another big name in the industry if given the exposure. He is...
To note, the film is based on an actual legend/lore in Buddhism. It is loosely based on it, since the old legend did not include armed commandos.
*
We get a long CG intro to the idea of Garuda. Basically, the beast was extremely powerful and had power-struggle issues with every deity. Finally, they joined forces and locked up the beast in a prison of nature. I'm sure that he will stay there forever.
*
The film proper begins with a Thai archaeologist discovering a mysterious artifact before a cave-in occurs. We jump ahead several years and introduce his daughter, who is in the family business. The film introduces an odd plot element to us: xenophobia. The Thai officials do not put any stock in our heroine because she is half-French and half-Thai. Did you expect racial discomfort in a monster movie? Me either.
*
The movie gets claustrophobic when the setting changes to a building tunnel. In the search for more antiquities, the local government gets involved and a strike team takes over the site. Unfortunately for them, Garuda wakes up from a very long nap and is a bit grouchy. He is also growing physically larger by the minute as his power grows. We're going to need a bigger tunnel!
*
Eventually, the beast gets loose and flies around the city. Guess who tries to kill him. Is it the military? You betcha! As if the cliches have not been properly mined, the beast gets on the roof of a building and screams out a challenge. Way to be creative. Eventually, the whole thing boils down a mass of special effects and the film's less-than-subtle McGuffin. The monster is killed and peace is restored. But can you really kill a God? All signs point to 'yes,' since no sequel has been made in the nearly five years since this film's release.
*
This film is entertaining, but not as memorable as it should be. This was Thailand's big chance to uproot Godzilla's place in history, having released it the same year as the beast's so-called swan song Godzilla: Final Wars. Is the writing the best thing since sliced bread? No. Is the special effects work super-duper? Again, no. It has satisfactory most of the time and only has a few flashes of high-quality. That said: will you have a good time? Yes. Better luck next time, guys.*
Let's take a short break from the frivolity for something serious. Unfortunately, the directors did not quite get the memo. Stay tuned...
No comments:
Post a Comment