MST3K Vs. Gamera: Mystery Science Theater 3000, Vol. XXI Review

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(More customer reviews)This set is a departure from all previous and recent MST3K DVD set releases in that it contains five episodes all from a single series of movies, Gamera! All five episodes are hosted by show creator, Joel Hodgson and all are from the Comedy Central era of the show. If you've ever wanted to see a robot sing a love song to a turtle or you're a fan of the "Gameradamerung" then you must buy this set!
* 302- GAMERA
This 1965 black-and-white film from Daiei studios in Japan was their attempt to cash in on the popularity of a certain other series of films made in Japan about a giant, mutated reptile. While Gamera may be an ersatz Godzilla to some, he's got his own weirdness to recommend him. A nuclear explosion, what else, awakens a giant, mutated, prehistoric flying, fire-breathing turtle from his icy prison to wreak havoc upon the world. A young boy who is especially fond of turtles develops an unusual bond with the monster. The American dubbing and added scenes make the film seem weirder and goofier than ever. This is a must-see episode for all MSTies because of gags like Tom Servo singing "Tibby Oh Tibby" and Gamera's visit, played by Mike Nelson, to the SOL via the hexfield view screen. MST3K's riffing machine was in full gear by season three and this is a top-notch episode with hilarious jokes all during the movie and terrific sketches during the host segments as well. This is a contender for the list of top ten all-time greatest episodes.
* 304- GAMERA VS. BARUGON
This is a 1966 follow-up to 1965's Gamera. Barugon is a giant, mutated lizard who shoots a powerful beam of energy from his back. He also has "ram-tongue" action. He attacks Japan and Gamera comes to the rescue. It's just that simple and the riffing by Joel and the 'Bots is just that great. The host segment inspired by the film wherein the SOL crew advertise the "5000-piece fightin' men & monster set" is phenomenally well done and funny.
* 308- GAMERA VS. GAOS
Gamera was successful in his first two outings so the studio followed up again the next year with Gamera Vs. Gaos in 1967. Gaos is a flying reptile with a wedge-shaped head that shoots high-powered laser beams. Gamera and Gaos chase each other around in a series of monster fights throughout the film. Highlights of this episode include the "Gameradamerung" staged by Joel and the 'Bots, the arts and crafts host segment and the final host segment in which they try to come up with a list of other ways to kill Gaos. Again, Gamera inspired the writers at MST3K to do some of their best work, this is hilarious from beginning to end.
* 312- GAMERA VS. GUIRON
This 1969 Gamera film follows the adventures of some young children, two boys and a girl, who discover a flying saucer has landed near their homes. The two boys climb aboard and the ship kidnaps them off to a distant planet. No one will believe the little girl who is left behind. Gamera follows the spaceship and attempts to rescue the boys. The alien planet is inhabited by two attractive alien women who want to eat the boys' brains. They also use their control over the giant monster Guiron to defend their planet from other monsters like Space Gaos and eventually, Gamera. The film features the obligatory fights between actors in rubber monster costumes. Again, the host segments are some of the best ever in the show's history, with Joel and the 'Bots singing the "Gamera song" and then Michael Feinstein (played by Mike Nelson) singing it in Deep 13 in the final host segment.
* 316- GAMERA VS. ZIGRA
Gamera returns in 1971 to take on an alien monster called Zigra. Zigra attacks Earth's moon base then comes to Earth spreading destruction in an attempt to dominate the planet. As usual, small children are involved and are an integral part of saving the Earth with help from our eponymous hero, Gamera the fire-breathing flying turtle. Oh, and one of the children really likes Coca-Cola. Episode highlights include the scale model of Gamera and the different ways to sing the Gamera song. Though some of the writers have complained about how much they hated these movies over the years, you wouldn't know it from watching this or any other Gamera episode of the show. This one's as funny as all the others and that's really saying something. This episode nicely ends the MST3K foray into the world of Gamera and leaves you wishing there were more.
The extra features for this set are:
* So Happy Together: A Look Back at MST3K and Gamera
* Gamera Vs. The Chiodo Brothers
* Gamera Obscura: A Brief History by August Ragone (author of Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters)
* Original Japanese Trailers
* 5 limited edition mini-posters by artist Steve Vance
* MST Hour wraps for "Gamera" and "Gamera Vs. Guiron"
* This special deluxe edition comes in a collectible tin box.

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