For Yog's Sake ^ Better known as Yog, Monster From Space, this Media Blasters/Tokyo Shock DVD release is another welcome addition to its expanding daikaiju library. With a healthy complement of extras, it features a beautiful, widescreen print and a choice of the original Japanese soundtrack with subtitles or English dubbing--though not the Titra dub that accompanied the 1971 American International release of Yog; this is the inferior international dub created in Hong Kong.
An unmanned space probe splashes down in the south Pacific, bringing with it an alien life form that transforms specimens of the local fauna into rampaging behemoths. An expedition sent to scout the remote Selgio Island for commercial development run up against the big critters--and the alien force--with fairly ugly results.
Outside of Space Amoeba, I don't think you'll find another movie that features a gigantic squid walking upright on its tentacles. But Gezora, the cuttlefish in question, despite being so obviously a man in a rubber squid suit, has some pretty wicked moments on the screen. With its bulging eyes and writhing tentacles, Gezora possesses a demeanor almost intimidating enough to temper the obligatory chuckles. Ganime, the giant crab, and Kameba, the mutant turtle, also have some entertaining moments, particularly when menacing their diminutive human quarry.
The well-constructed, relatively large-scale miniature sets, colorful cinematography, familiar cast, and Akira Ifukube's driving score make Space Amoeba an enjoyable flick, despite a weak screenplay and dialogue that's lame even in the original Japanese.
Sapce Amoeba ^ I'm a fan of monster movies (old & new). This one is fun to watch and a classic among the Japan giant monsters type. It is a must for all "Kaiju" fans out there. The Earth is being invaded by a group of aliens who can take over the bodies of human and monsters alike, but a group of scientist are out to discover their weakness and put a stop to their invasion. Fun Fact: in this movie one of the monsters is Kameba, a gigant turtle, who much later make another apperance in a Godzilla movie:Godzilla GMK All monsters attack. (2004)
Oh, the horror of it all! ^ I purchased this movie almost one year ago and I have watched it twice at most. Despite the director and musical score master of Gojira, their job on this one was a task too great even for their "genius"(?) Three monsters derived from earth creatures descend upon some researchers and islanders and take what seems like forever to attack and then only one at a time. The giant cuttlefish is the most likeable of the beasts and he bows out first. That is the only spoiler I will throw in to this review. Overall, the one star I gave it should be a zero.
3 INTERESTING MONSTERS. 1 UNINTERESTING MOVIE ^ Okay now, just what kind of movie is Space Amoeba? The opening is very similar to the opening of Ghidrah The Three Headed Monster. Gezora the walking squid, Ganime the furry crab, and Kameaba the elongated turtle are engaged in a three-way battle during the opening credits. Unfortunately this battle never occurrs in the movie itself. The best way to let you know what this movie is like is to do this; Remove King Kong, Godzilla, and any cool city destruction scenes from King Kong vs Godzilla, but keep Fero Island, the natives, and the giant octopus. Then remove Godzilla, the secret military base, and air-strike attack from Godzilla vs Ebirah (the Sea Monster). Finally, remove all the major monsters, city destruction, and space aliens that you can see from Destroy All Monsters, and keep only one lesser known monster. Put it altogether and you pretty much have Space Ameoba. I love a lot of Akira Ifukube's music especially the big over the top energetic stuff, or the signature motifs he puts to certain monsters. He gets lots of kudos for scoring this movie, but I thought it was very weak and lacking in the intensity Mr Ifukube has put into other films. Now for the dvd itself. Audio has English mono and 5.1, Japanese mono and 5.1, and an audio commentary spoken in Japanese. Subtitles are Eng 1, Eng 2, and Eng 3. Eng 1 shows nothing for me. Eng 2 displays what I suspect to be what the Japanese actors were really saying because it's often very different from the english dub. Eng 3 subtitles are for you to read the commentary. Well there you have it, Space Amoeba. AKA Yog, Monster From Space, AKA Gezora, Ganime, and Kameaba: Decisive Battle.
Splendidly cheesy kaiju! ^ OK, it's not Seven Samurai. It's not Gojira. But it's a fun romp through the world of giant rubber-suit Japanese monsters. Best served with chips or popcorn.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
