It`s quite amazing that three Daimajin movies were produced in such a short period. In spite of limited time, quality of those three movies are impressive.
This was the first one I saw, and still my favorite. The image of him rising out of the lake, the parting of the waters, the gunpowder scene... breathtaking. The scenes in the fortress exemplified one of the best things about this series: he’s much closer to human scale than Godzilla or Gamera, so the buildings he smashes have to be built at closer to human scale, too. They did not skimp.
Just to see situations where actors are sometimes obscured by the props of their surroundings and not just constantly center stage and blanketed in artificial light is an incredibly refreshing thing!
I think the Villain deserves a little more credit. He tried to blow up the statute first before it came to life, adding a bit more dread making you think has daimajin been destroyed. Also I liked that he tried to get daimajin to stop by holding the hostages by sword point.
The face of Daimajin was modelled after Hollywood star Kirk Douglas. Also the actor inside the costume was Riki Hashimoto who went on to fight Bruce Lee in Fist of Fury.
It's an amazing sequel it's not as long as the original which was really patience testing all three films told the same story but they all went about it differently
I was confused when I saw your first review, as it's been years since I saw these movies. Now I realize I've simply merged the first two films together and completely forgot this was a trilogy. It's overall a very solid series of films, though I think I like the third one best for its premise.
Could you do some Ray Harryhausen reviews. Beast from 20,000 Fathoms - no Beast, no Godzilla, no Kaiju - 20 Million Miles To Earth, Mysterious Island, The Sinbad movies.
No, Daimajin isn't anything like a golem story. A golem tale is a tale of personal revenge against a group for perceived insults or even unpaid debts owed to the golem's creator. Daimajin stories are of a protective spirit fighting against powerful individuals on behalf of a powerless subjugated group. The two are diametrically opposed in regards to their particular narratives. A rabbi wielded power, Japanese eta and peasants did not.
Is there a scene in one of the Daimajin films where he crushes someone to death against his chest? I have a vague memory of something like that while watching the Creature Double Feature on Saturdays.
Darn! I watched these in the wrong order. I thought the one with the children looking for Damaijin and the villagers being forced to work in a sulfur quarry was the second movie. I will say, however, having Damijan walk up to the village instead of teleporting was an improvement over the first movie.
I'll comment I didn't find the derivativeness to be nearly as much as I expected- while more or less the same formula, a lot of kaiju movies of the 50s and 60s follow their own formula and the differences between the Daimajin are often more different than many perfectly respectable entries in the more modern set movies. So I rate it higher on that account. Good review
I definitely wouldn't "binge" the Daimajin Trilogy. You should give at least 4 months between viewings (as they were released) and you'll have _some_ anticipation and be less affected by their redundant qualities.
Okay, I'm a little confused now. When my Dad showed me the Daimajin Trilogy, this one you're talking about was labelled WRATH Of Daimajin, not RETURN Of Daimajin in that collection. So which one is the one where Daimajin has a Falcon as a familiar? That's the one I remember as being called RETURN Of Daimajin.
Yeah, the U.S. release bungled the titles. It goes: Daimajin, Return of Daimajin, and Daimajin Strikes Again (or Wrath of Daimajin), which is the one with the falcon.
My favorite of the three. Ithink you're really uncharitable here with the "same plot" reading imo. Very basic. The more chanbara focused story and unique setting makes this the most well paced of the three imo. Also, the Daimajin itself has more of a presence in the story than the first film. The first film has the most impressive Daimajin rampage, but the "parting of the sea" sequence may be my favorite moment in kaiju cinema ever. Return probably has the best cinematography and shot composition of the three as well imo. There is some inspired visuals here.
Most of the time, sequels to good, worthy kaiju films are horrible and carry none of the weight or spirit of the originals. I'm looking at you, Godzilla Raids Again and Son Of Kong. But this film.....does not fall into that category.
I saw the first one on TV back in the 70's. Did not know there were two more until decades later. I find Return of Daimajin to be underwhelming. I did not become invested with the characters or story. Some of the imagery was to Biblical for my liking. I am waiting for the review of Wraith of Daimajin, the third and best installment of the series.
The moral of the story: Never mess around with that village with the deadly statue.
Tell that to aliens that always attacking New York
It`s quite amazing that three Daimajin movies were produced in such a short period. In spite of limited time, quality of those three movies are impressive.
This was the first one I saw, and still my favorite. The image of him rising out of the lake, the parting of the waters, the gunpowder scene... breathtaking.
The scenes in the fortress exemplified one of the best things about this series: he’s much closer to human scale than Godzilla or Gamera, so the buildings he smashes have to be built at closer to human scale, too. They did not skimp.
The parting of the water scene was absolutely amazing, fantastic special effects work!
Just to see situations where actors are sometimes obscured by the props of their surroundings and not just constantly center stage and blanketed in artificial light is an incredibly refreshing thing!
The cinematography and effects here are absolutely incredible! Just wow!
One of the greatest movies ever made 😁♥️
I agree not huge on the Originality scale , but the effects in this sequel were SO well done ! Well worth watching!
I think the Villain deserves a little more credit. He tried to blow up the statute first before it came to life, adding a bit more dread making you think has daimajin been destroyed. Also I liked that he tried to get daimajin to stop by holding the hostages by sword point.
Tyler Lamb - Agreed!
Daimajin: *returns*
People: Ahhhhhhh crap, here we go again.
AH SHIT, HERE WE GO AGAIN
The face of Daimajin was modelled after Hollywood star Kirk Douglas. Also the actor inside the costume was Riki Hashimoto who went on to fight Bruce Lee in Fist of Fury.
Up From The Depths: Uploads
*everybody liked that*
シリーズ二作目、大魔神怒るですね！藤村志保さんの品のある美しさが良かったですね！
I'd love to see Daimajin in a movie with Gamera,and both of them in the Monsterverse.
I think this film is my favorite of the Daimajin trilogy.
It's an amazing sequel it's not as long as the original which was really patience testing all three films told the same story but they all went about it differently
Straight up, you have THE BEST reviews of Toho movies. You get right to the point and I dig it.
I was confused when I saw your first review, as it's been years since I saw these movies. Now I realize I've simply merged the first two films together and completely forgot this was a trilogy. It's overall a very solid series of films, though I think I like the third one best for its premise.
Terrific film, You have made me want to watch it again. Thanks
When God has to send down an angel of vengeance to fix your mess, somebody is getting turned into a stain on a wall!
I LOVE this movie. If it wasn’t for the horror vibes and first 15 minutes or so of the first film, this one would easily be my favorite.
I'd never even heard of this series of films, but this one looks interesting!
It is said to be the first work in Japan where blue screen synthesis was used in earnest
This trilogy is very good. Looking forward to your review on the third.
Could you do some Ray Harryhausen reviews. Beast from 20,000 Fathoms - no Beast, no Godzilla, no Kaiju - 20 Million Miles To Earth, Mysterious Island, The Sinbad movies.
Finally caught up on all your videos and then this pops up!
Takashi Kanda is always awesome at playing the villain, he was especially loathsome in the Yokai films 😅
Daiei’s go to bad guy
It's a rock...monster!
*angry Obsidius noises*
We were at the shrine
Everybody had matching yukatas
Juro went under a dock
And there he saw a rock
It wasn't a rock...
It was a rock MONSTER!
Oooh parting of the sea! I should check out the other two movies.
This series was better than the showa gamera movies
It was more like art-movie.
You got my sub bub . Great breakdown. Looking forward to more . Thanks
Daimajin is a Japanese retelling of the legend of Prauge.
This is a 50 ft. tall GOLEM; which is unleashed on the wicked....
No, Daimajin isn't anything like a golem story. A golem tale is a tale of personal revenge against a group for perceived insults or even unpaid debts owed to the golem's creator. Daimajin stories are of a protective spirit fighting against powerful individuals on behalf of a powerless subjugated group. The two are diametrically opposed in regards to their particular narratives. A rabbi wielded power, Japanese eta and peasants did not.
I think this why the second movie is alway a monster fight.
Can you review Cloverfield and the Jurassic Park films? I know they’re not “kaiju” but I’d still love to hear your thoughts.
I can't wait for you review of the third movie. I have real mixed feelings about it.
After you review Wrath of Daimajin can you review THEM! (1954)?
Wow!
Is there a scene in one of the Daimajin films where he crushes someone to death against his chest? I have a vague memory of something like that while watching the Creature Double Feature on Saturdays.
I remember that too, but can’t remember which one it was. Guess I’ll have to go rewatch them all, darn!
Yay I am one of the first ones here awesome good review I totally agree. Maybe I will check out this movie myself.
Darn! I watched these in the wrong order. I thought the one with the children looking for Damaijin and the villagers being forced to work in a sulfur quarry was the second movie. I will say, however, having Damijan walk up to the village instead of teleporting was an improvement over the first movie.
I watched 'em in the wrong order too- there's a DVD set that seems to have mixed up the order of the Daimajin flicks/gets the names mixed up even.
I could have sworn this was the third one...
I'll comment I didn't find the derivativeness to be nearly as much as I expected- while more or less the same formula, a lot of kaiju movies of the 50s and 60s follow their own formula and the differences between the Daimajin are often more different than many perfectly respectable entries in the more modern set movies. So I rate it higher on that account.
Good review
I love the videos keep up the amazing work
I hope the Daimajin films get released digitally
They come and go from different streaming sites. I think Crackle and Shout Factory have had it at different times. You just have to look out for it.
Well, i didn't plan to sleep tonight anyways...
I definitely wouldn't "binge" the Daimajin Trilogy. You should give at least 4 months between viewings (as they were released) and you'll have _some_ anticipation and be less affected by their redundant qualities.
here a weird thought wonder if instead of King Ceaser in Godzilla vs mechgodzilla they had Daimajin as the guarding monster?
They should have added a daimajin on the side of the bad guys to fit some monster battle in there
サムネで、一言
ロンドンオリンピック代表
柔道女子５７キョロキョログラム級
松本 薫(-_-;)ﾌﾟｯ。
4 months? Dang, that’s probably the shortest time span between sequels, not counting the mcu movies lol
3 stars = Okay.
Shame Kadokawa isn't interested in doing anything with the character or any of Daiei's previous monster properties.
Okay, I'm a little confused now. When my Dad showed me the Daimajin Trilogy, this one you're talking about was labelled WRATH Of Daimajin, not RETURN Of Daimajin in that collection. So which one is the one where Daimajin has a Falcon as a familiar? That's the one I remember as being called RETURN Of Daimajin.
Yeah, the U.S. release bungled the titles. It goes: Daimajin, Return of Daimajin, and Daimajin Strikes Again (or Wrath of Daimajin), which is the one with the falcon.
I hope they will make another video
Do a review of The Mighty Peking Man from The Shaw Brothers
I agree with your review, I still enjoy the movie but I will admit plot wise it’s pretty much the same as the first movie
Hi will you review Rampage some day?
“Beat for me beat.”
*shows a beating*
Not very subtle are you?
0:00 me puts my angry face on!
Can you look at It Came From Beneath The Sea🐙
Can you look at The Black Scorpion🦂
Can you look at 20 Million Miles To Earth🦎
Can you look at Gorgo🐉
My favorite of the three. Ithink you're really uncharitable here with the "same plot" reading imo. Very basic.
The more chanbara focused story and unique setting makes this the most well paced of the three imo. Also, the Daimajin itself has more of a presence in the story than the first film. The first film has the most impressive Daimajin rampage, but the "parting of the sea" sequence may be my favorite moment in kaiju cinema ever.
Return probably has the best cinematography and shot composition of the three as well imo. There is some inspired visuals here.
I liked the 2nd one better.
Give this comment a like if you own this movie today👍
Ditto...it was more like a loose remake of the original. I found the 3rd one better.
Most of the time, sequels to good, worthy kaiju films are horrible and carry none of the weight or spirit of the originals. I'm looking at you, Godzilla Raids Again and Son Of Kong. But this film.....does not fall into that category.
I saw the first one on TV back in the 70's. Did not know there were two more until decades later. I find Return of Daimajin to be underwhelming. I did not become invested with the characters or story. Some of the imagery was to Biblical for my liking. I am waiting for the review of Wraith of Daimajin, the third and best installment of the series.