Kaiju: Giant Movie Monsters Headquarters
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Kaiju: Giant Movie Monsters
Kaiju are "strange beasts" that roam the screens of monster movies (kaiju eiga). When they have a roughly humanoid shape they're called kaijin, and the really big ones are called daikaiju in Japanese.
Roughly, kaiju refers to giant movie monsters like Gamera, Godzilla, King Kong, and (in one movie at least) Frankenstein's monster. The Japanese use the term to include smaller critters as well, but generally the word, in the United States at least, focuses on the big boys.
The name is Japanese, but kaiju can strike all around the world. Let's visit some of the hot spots of kaiju activity over the years.
Denmark: Reptilicus
"I really have a craving to finally see Reptilicus," I said to my friend and favorite shlock-culture guru, Buncheman. "I was hoping it was in your vast library of kaiju films, but I see it's not.The Buncheman's reply to my message to very much to the point.
"REPTILICUS is not in my collection for a reason. It's an unmitigated piece of shit and you miss nothing by not seeing it. Take my word on this one and steer clear."
"Dammit, now I don't know what to do," I replied. "My logical mind trusts your advice, but my reptilian brain wants to know for itself." I could feel my primitive rubbernecking gene rearing its primeval urges. How bad does a movie have to be for someone like the Buncheman to shun it entirely?
“Very well, but you have been warned.”
Review without a view
The only way I'm going to see it is if I fork over the cash.
Shall I risk Reptilicus?
Given that I love really terrible daikaiju films, and that all the experts agree that this one is so horrible that I should still think twice, is it worth the money and time spent, or will I be too scarred to emerge whole if I dare it?
Should I watch Reptilicus?

Sure, how bad can it be?
John H. says:
Absolutely!!!! The film has some of the funniest dialog in any classic B movie. I own the DVD release and we love to watch it and have a good laugh. Yes, the special effects are low grade but isn't that why we love B movies?
HELLS no!
Italy: Ymir
If you think Ymir's cries are more anguished than aggressive, you're probably right. The creature was hatched on Earth and grew quickly in our oxygen-rich atmosphere, and only attacked when provoked. Its entire life story is chronicled in 20 Million Miles to Earth. Poor bastard never had a chance.
Japan - Frankenstein
What's that, you say? You don't understand how a crazed German scientist can be a little-known Japanese kaiju? Aren't they focused on teh horrors of radiation? Well all things are possible in the land of giant movie monsters!
Although everyone knows that Victor Frankenstein didn't actually name his creation after himself, "everybody" includes neither movie makers nor kaiju movie translators, so somewhere along the line Dr. Frankenstein's creation was named after him, instead of calling him Adam (like Mary Shelley did) or Prometheus (which would have been as bad a name as "Frankenstein," but might have been the big fella's name if he had ever gone toe-to-toe with King Kong).
Frankenstein can never die, or at least his heart cannot, which is the reason why it was delivered by the Nazis to Japanese scientists in Hiroshima for experiments in immortality. Keep feeding it protein and it will grow a whole new body. Who knew that those pesky Allies would drop a nasty bomb on the lab shortly thereafter?
His heart may never die, but Frankenstein is just as susceptible to radiation as anyone. Of course, radiation can't kill him, so it's just going to have to make him grow larger. And larger. And larger. He hits 71 feet in his only appearance, but one can only guess how much larger he may have gotten if a volcano hadn't interfered with his growth spurt.
Perhaps the most intelligent kaiju, Frankenstein is not capable of human speech, but he fashions pit traps and uses fire. He also has a modicum of compassion, and despite his voracious appetite he avoids including humans in his diet.
Frankenstein Conquers the World
or, Frankenstein vs. Giant Monster Baragon
. . . vs. the Giant Octopus?
United States - The Giant Claw
The Giant Claw is the best of Muppetronics and Bug-Eyed Monsters come together in a movie that is packed with overly dramatic music. One can only wonder what might have been possible if they had been able to hire Ray Harryhausen like they'd wanted to!
Nine monsters, one fight
Climactic Destroy All Monsters fight scene
Cinemassacre's Top Ten
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What's your favorite giant monster movie?
Tell us about your preferred Japanese-style giant monster movie.
toucan_sam wrote...
My favorite giant monster is KING GHIDORAH! But, my favorite giant monster movie is Godzilla final wars.
Recommended Kaiju Links
Here are some great places to learn about kaiju, daikaiju, and horrible giant monsters from the world over. Submit your own and vote on your favorites.
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