Monster discussion 13: Gargantuas

[edgaguirus]

War of the Gargantuas is my favorite of Toho's non-Godzilla films. Gaira and Sanda aren't the strongest creatures, but their portrayal was excellent and allowed them to show a more humanlike side. Gaira was viscious, savage, but also vunerable. He was nearly killed, and then acted almost afraid of Sanda before attacking in a rage. Sanda is Kong like, strong but tragic.

[JVM]

You skipped Manda, Dogora, King Ghidorah, Frankenstein, Baragon, Ebirah, and Giant Condor.

[Lamango]

They also recently appeared on the Scooby Doo and the Mystery Inc. cartoon. And their roles in Godman and Greenman was odd.

[Tyler]

I like them, we need more humanoid kaiju. It was also great that you got to see the eyes of the suit actor underneath.

[Hellspawn28]

They where cool, and the conpect behind them where awesome. I always thought one of the Gargantuas would make a good foe for Godzilla.

[Primevalgodzilla V2]

Hey, since JVM started the Monster discussion series, he should be the only one making them.

BOT, the Gargantuas are cool. I liked Gaira in particular. The effetcs that went into them were particularly good for a showa film.

[ThunderScore]

If anyone is interested, there's a WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS homage in the new Cartoon Network series, SCOOBY DOO! MYSTERY INCORPORATED. The episode titled "Battle of the Humungonauts" that aired yesterday (and is scheduled to repeat Thursday) has several references, including a re-creation of the Kipp Hamilton nightclub scene where she sings "Feel in My Heart" (!) Check out the YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnryiS6SNK4

[TokyoVigilante]

Love these guys and their movie. It's not very often a kaiju gets a full character arc in a single movie. One of Tohos under appreciated gems.

[bananaoil]

This movie is firmly in the middle of my ranking of non-Godzilla Toho monster films. I like the general atmosphere of the film, the score, and how Sanda and Gaira are characterized and executed, but Russ Tamblyn, the too-long forest sequence, and the abruptly contrived volcano ending really bring the film down.

[GodzillaDude]

These brother kaiju appeared in the 1966 Toho film "War of the Gargantuas"

What are your thoughts on them as monsters/characters?

I thought the interactions and battles they had together were very good. Although I prefer Gaira mainly due to me favoring his design/colors over Sandas' and the fact that he ate people was different compared to most kaiju films like the Godzilla series.

Gaira- http://tohokingdom.com/kaiju/gaira.htm

Sanda- http://tohokingdom.com/kaiju/sanda.htm

[Living Corpse]

They're pretty cool. Wouldn't mind having them in a game, we need more mammal kaiju.

[Gojira-Fan]

I'm uninterested in them.

I really don't like War of the Gargantuas. It's not really a movie that sticks in my mind much.

Granted, I have only seen it once. Maybe it merits a reconsideration?

[Tohosaurus]

I thought the partial humanization of them made them so engaging.

[GodzillaDude]

I thought the partial humanization of them made them so engaging.

I agree. Something not typical in other kaiju films, thus unique.

[Gojira1963]

War of the Gargantuas is my favorite Kaiju movie outside of the Godzilla franchise. I would really love to see that movie either remade or have the two featured in another film.

[Tohosaurus]

War of the Gargantuas is my favorite Kaiju movie outside of the Godzilla franchise. I would really love to see that movie either remade or have the two featured in another film.

WotG is my favorite non-Godzilla Toho kaiju film. A remake is something I am cautious of, however.

[Gojira1963]

War of the Gargantuas is my favorite Kaiju movie outside of the Godzilla franchise. I would really love to see that movie either remade or have the two featured in another film.

WotG is my favorite non-Godzilla Toho kaiju film. A remake is something I am cautious of, however.

Why are you cautious? I am too, I wouldn't want a remake to stink but if they got a good script I think it could be done.

[GodzillaDude]

How often does Toho do direct remakes of kaiju films though? Besides when they start a new Godzilla series, but not sure if you would count those as remakes.

[Tohosaurus]

War of the Gargantuas is my favorite Kaiju movie outside of the Godzilla franchise. I would really love to see that movie either remade or have the two featured in another film.

WotG is my favorite non-Godzilla Toho kaiju film. A remake is something I am cautious of, however.

Why are you cautious? I am too, I wouldn't want a remake to stink but if they got a good script I think it could be done.

Well with a remake you always have to ask (just IMO) "How will this be better than the original?" or "Why are we remaking this?".

With regards to WotG, I don't really see the benefits of remaking it. It'll look crisp being filmed with modern techniques and modern effects (even if they use suits and miniatures). But will the actual movie be better? It'd be the same as remaking Godzilla or Star Wars or Scarface (even the 80s Scarface is actually a remake). You can make them look great but would they actually be better? No.

I'm actually not anti-remake, but the remake ought to serve a purpose. For example, I adore the excellent Planet of the Apes. In spite of it being an unquestioned classic, I don't have the problem with the idea of the 2001 remake. The original PotA film didn't follow the novel as closely in some regards on account of a budget issue. The apes in the book were highly advanced beyond even human standards now with hover cars and whatnot. But to clear the budget the 1968 film had to go with a medieval setting. That's one way the big budgeted 2001 remake could've improved on the original AND offered a totally different look and feel to the film. As we all know the remake did none of this and was unimpressive compared to the original, but that's an example.

There are a few Showa movies I would like to see remakes of, though, and I'm not saying your opinion is wrong or anything. We just differ.

[Gojira1963]

Well with a remake you always have to ask (just IMO) "How will this be better than the original?" or "Why are we remaking this?".

With regards to WotG, I don't really see the benefits of remaking it. It'll look crisp being filmed with modern techniques and modern effects (even if they use suits and miniatures). But will the actual movie be better? It'd be the same as remaking Godzilla or Star Wars or Scarface (even the 80s Scarface is actually a remake). You can make them look great but would they actually be better? No.

I'm actually not anti-remake, but the remake ought to serve a purpose. For example, I adore the excellent Planet of the Apes. In spite of it being an unquestioned classic, I don't have the problem with the idea of the 2001 remake. The original PotA film didn't follow the novel as closely in some regards on account of a budget issue. The apes in the book were highly advanced beyond even human standards now with hover cars and whatnot. But to clear the budget the 1968 film had to go with a medieval setting. That's one way the big budgeted 2001 remake could've improved on the original AND offered a totally different look and feel to the film. As we all know the remake did none of this and was unimpressive compared to the original, but that's an example.

There are a few Showa movies I would like to see remakes of, though, and I'm not saying your opinion is wrong or anything. We just differ.

Yes, I must confess that one of the reasons I would like to see a remake is due to the improved effects. Not that WoG has bad effects. I am a self professed special effects junkie and would love to see the movie with modern CGI or suits and miniatures. I do agree that doesn't translate into a better movie.

If Toho won't remake the movie then I wish they'd reuse the characters in a new movie. I think Godzilla vs Gaira would be a great movie.