Violence in the Showa films

[rodanguirus]

As far as violent deaths and kids are concerned, there's Zigra, who Gamera was having a grand old time playing his theme song on his back, then the kids scream at him "Kill him, Gamera! Kill him!" So Gamera incinerates him.

[Roehm]

As far as violent deaths and kids are concerned, there's Zigra, who Gamera was having a grand old time playing his theme song on his back, then the kids scream at him "Kill him, Gamera! Kill him!" So Gamera incinerates him.

Wow that is rather disturbing, I will have to watch the rest of those Showa Gamera films.

[rodanguirus]

In Gamera vs. Guiron, there's a similar situation. Gamera finally has Guiron beaten and helpless (stuck upside-down, knife-first, in the ground), and he seems willing to leave it at that, but those lousy Kennies egg him on. "Gamera, chuck that warhead into his hole (where he stored his shurikens)!" These kids force Gamera to be so ruthless. I mean, Guiron's masters were dead, so Gamera and the kids could've left and Guiron would've been stuck on his rock of a homeworld till he died of old age.

[Roehm]

In Gamera vs. Guiron, there's a similar situation. Gamera finally has Guiron beaten and helpless (stuck upside-down, knife-first, in the ground), and he seems willing to leave it at that, but those lousy Kennies egg him on. "Gamera, chuck that warhead into his hole (where he stored his shurikens)!" These kids force Gamera to be so ruthless. I mean, Guiron's masters were dead, so Gamera and the kids could've left and Guiron would've been stuck on his rock of a homeworld till he died of old age.

Yeah actually I do remember that, it has been a while since I have seen that movie. Geez those sure are some blood thirsty kids in those movies. You do bring up a good point though, I mean why was it nessecary to kill Guiron? I mean Gamera could have just stormed in and whooped some ***, took the kids and just took off. What would Guiron do jump after him...come on he can only jump so far and that fool can't fly so in turn it was just useless blood shed.

[rodanguirus]

Let's see, is there anything else? Barugon: not too brutal, just drowned him, and Gamera did it without bloodthirsty kids egging him on. Gyaos was much the same, except a volcano rather than a lake. Haven't seen Viras, but it doesn't sound too bad (taken into space). Space Gyaos had one of the most hilariously brutal kaiju deaths ever.

The only other thing I can think of is in Super Monster Gamera. I haven't seen the movie, but i heard some alien has resurrected and is controlling all of Gamera's foes and (via stock footage) Gamera goes and kills them all again. Since it's stock footage, you can't have Guiron on Earth, so that means Gamera flies all the way to Terra, kills Guiron, and comes back. Now I know a deep plot wasn't the top priority for this film, but I gotta ask WHAT'S THE POINT?

There was some discussion about this at a session at G-Fest, how a series more child-oriented than the Showa Godzilla series was far more brutal.

[Roehm]

Let's see, is there anything else? Barugon: not too brutal, just drowned him, and Gamera did it without bloodthirsty kids egging him on. Gyaos was much the same, except a volcano rather than a lake. Haven't seen Viras, but it doesn't sound too bad (taken into space). Space Gyaos had one of the most hilariously brutal kaiju deaths ever.

True the drowning wasn't too brutal but it is a rather terrible way to go being forced into water and in turn having your lungs filled with water and having to go without being ablt to breath until you either manage to get air or die...to me a very very terrible way to go. Gyaos also I find bad too, because you would feel all of that pain and heat until your skin is fried and you feel nothing or until you die. Also the space thing...I haven't seen it myself either but some what the same thing as the water applies but you would also freeze and whatever fun stuff mine happen before you die anyway. Yes Space Gyaos did have a very brutal death and I will agree 100% with you on that on.

Since it's stock footage, you can't have Guiron on Earth, so that means Gamera flies all the way to Terra, kills Guiron, and comes back. Now I know a deep plot wasn't the top priority for this film, but I gotta ask WHAT'S THE POINT?

Yet again I agree fully with you on this one too, who ever thought it was a good idea to green light this movie in the first place is a god damned fool. I mean how could you even expect that to make any kind of money...and im sure the plot was about as deep as a tea spoon of water. But I suppose it was the 80's and they where quite desperate at the time from what I hear.

But damn I really need to make it to a G-Fest sometime I am really missing out on the good stuff here. I would have loved to have been around for the discussion.

[rodanguirus]

Yeah, the discussion was actually about Anguirus's 50th anniversery, but when it was just about wrapped up, it got sidetracked and started talking about violence in Showa films (G vs. Mechagodzilla was also mentioned, given Anguirus's broken jaw, and Godzilla being reduced to a bloody pulp.)

[Roehm]

Hmm that would have been fun, I would love to have gotten in on that discussion. I do remember all of the obligatory violence in GvsMG...probably because that is my favorite Goji flick. But yeah I never figured it out...that is a hell of a way from Anguris to go out isn't it. Getting his jaw broken and running off and then never hearing anything about him in 30 years or so. But they always seen to shaft the really cool Goji kaiju.

[Jet Jaguar]

Those old Showa films were a lot of cheesy fun
and unless yer lactose-intolerant, who don't like cheese?