Everyone's favorite flying, fire-breathing turtle is back, this time facing a threat unlike anything this world has ever seen. Old faces return alongside strange new ones in this dark, epic climax to the Gamera trilogy.
Plot: The Gyaos have returned, newly evolved and multiplying like crazy around the world. As if that isn't bad enough, a new foe has emerged, one who has been bred by the hate of a teenage girl who harbors a grudge against Gamera for accidentally killing her parents in the first film. This new creature is called Iris (named after the girl's deceased pet cat), a mysterious armored, blood-sucking squid creature with immense destructive power and a genetic link to the Gyaos. With the military once again hunting Gamera, will all this be too much for the Guardian of the Universe?
The stakes are raised and so is the severity of the violence. Tons of people are laid waste as the monsters battle each other for supremacy, destroying everything in their path. It's great. Gamera looks really fearsome, looking as if he will stop at nothing until all his monstrous enemies are destroyed. He even has some new tricks up his giant sleeve. Iris is a fascinating creature, bringing a sense of both awe and dread to his presence, especially when he's flying. In fact, he reminds me of an Angel from "Evangelion". It's nice seeing some of the old cast in this one like Gamera's human companion Asagi, who has really grown as a character. Some the new characters are interesting while others are strange, which is why sometimes I feel that this film may appeal to goths. The star here is Ayana, whose backstory and hatred for the turtle and backstory allow her to stand out from the rest of the cast.
I do have problems with this one. I didn't like how some people, military included, now want Gamera dead again. Come on, the Gyaos, certified man-eaters, have returned and yet their too busy complaining about the damage Gamera causes while he's trying to kill them. Even a fortune teller believes Gamera is some evil spirit. What evil spirit saves people? Furthermore, this causes Ayana's hatred to blend in with theirs, which, given the main conflict, should not be the case; the film would've been better served if she was the only one with a serious grudge. Plus, once again Gamera takes quite a bit of punishment. I'm tired that. At this time, he should be dishing out lot more damage to his enemies, especially with his trademark fire breath.
For all its problems, Gamera 3 is still worth the watch. It's a shame it ended the way it did and that its low-budget sequel that ended the storyline never made it to theaters and an American release. Check this flick out if your a monster movie fan. Or a goth lover.
