Mr. Lobo's newest Cinema Insomnia, Blu-ray release is an adoring, "field-trip" venture aimed at his youngest fans, the Sleepless Knights Lobo Cubs: Troop 74, with a Monster-O-Vision presentation of 1967's Giant Monster Air-Sea Battle: Superturtle Meets Shovelface (aka Gamera vs Gyaos/Return of the Giant Monsters).
Gamera is Daiei Film Co.'s turtle-tooled reply to Toho's Godzilla, with his opponent, Gyaos, a handy, Rodan knockoff. For their titanic clash, Gamera and Gyaos surface in the wake of volcanic eruptions (underscored by a dash of corporate-imposed upheaval), leaving the kiddie-friendly, flame-spewing turtle to fight tooth and nail against the laser-spitting, winged reptile across vast and scenic territory.
Director Noriaki Yuasa and writer Niisan Takahashi instill childlike wonder throughout the monster melee, for its human lead is an affable boy named Eiichi, played by Naoyuki Abe. Eiichi's trust in Gamera is inspiring, charging the plot with optimism and in the end, triumph.
Mr. Lobo's presentation is enhanced by salutations from his cheerful cubs, assisted by the cantankerous Countess Bloodsuger (Jessie Seeherman); variants of Toho's lovable, Infant Island Peanuts (Cynetra Verona-Connelly); Puddles, the rubber turtle; the short-fused Flip Floppington (Eric Sabo); the banana-hyped Yella Fever (also Sabo); Emperor Maus (Wendy Sews); Commander Micronauti (Crystal Quin), Forresty Fly (Joseph La Scola); Sally the Zombie Cheerleader (Nicole M. King); John Stanley (as himself); Igor (Ben Stansbery); and big-time CEO, Alan N. Smithee (who just so happens to sport an uncanny resemblance to our beloved, Cinema Insomnia host), who's accompanied in his own right by the diligent droid, R-Du Du. (As with previous Cinema Insomnia offerings, this one overflows with theme-related commercials and trailers.)
I loved this kaiju entry when I was a mere cub, and I love it even more under its new-and-improved title. For a family-angled installment, Mr. Lobo (and his ever faithful director/producer, Aaron M. Lane) sure chose the right, cinematic submission and seasoned it oh-so-well!
Order Giant Monster Air-Sea Battle: Superturtle Meets Shovelface at
https://osi74.square.site/s/search?q=Superturtle
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