Director(s) – Screaming Mad George (Boy in the Box) and Steve Wang (Guyver: Dark Hero, Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight)
Starring – Jack Armstrong (Quantum Leap, Student Bodies), Vivian Wu (Tales from the Crypt, Shadow of China), Mark Hamill (Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, The New Scooby-Doo Movies)
Release Date – 1991
Rating – 4/5
UHD Release – 4.5/5
I don’t know how I feel about all these movies from my childhood finding homes on new formats. I absolutely love the era I grew up in. I was born in the mid-80s and lived through the tail end of my favorite decade only to grow up during the video store boom, Goosebumps, and the Clinton scandal. A lot of the films that I would often watch and now getting 25th, 30, and even 40th anniversary releases on blu and UHD which is cool but seeing these 25 and older anniversary releases is making me feel very old.
Sometime back Unearthed Films announced the release of the sci-fi horror flick The Guyver on UHD and blu. This is one of those films I remember wearing out on tape as a kid. At the time I had no idea it was based on a manga or anime but the film was absolutely amazing. It’s one I would often revisit from time to time over the years so I was beside myself when news of the film hitting UHD under Unearthed Films was announced. I was lucky enough to get a review copy in from my friends over at MVD. Like always, I want to thank MVD and Unearthed Films for sending this one over!
**Spoiler alert** The film follows a young man who is struggling with his martial arts training. One evening he notices that the woman he has a crush on is crying and discovers her father died under mysterious circumstances. He does a little investigating around the area he was found and discovers a strange device but while he is looking he is confronted by a street gang. During a fight he is driven face first into the device which begins to grow around his body. The device is actually the Guyver and grants the user powers and a strong organic armor. However, a group of shapeshifters creatures is also looking for the device and his girlfriend is standing in the way of them from getting it. **Spoiler Alert**
The Guyver is one of the many films produced by legendary producer and director Brian Yuzna who has brought us the film Re-Animator, From Beyond, Dolls, Necronomicon, and The Dentist just to name a few. The Guyver may not be as popular as some of his other films but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. It’s a great blend of horror and sci-fi without compromising on either genre.
The acting in this one is so much fun. The characters are all over the top and very exaggerated. The cast delivers what I can safely assume is the campiest performances of their lives but it doesn’t take away from the film. In fact, the almost professional wrestling style acting makes the film what it is. I don’t know if this was intentional or a result of the direction but I absolutely loved the characters and how the cast handled it.
The story for this one is a great mash up of sci-fi and horror elements. I’ve watched some of the anime and this adaptation is more horror influenced than the anime but I can’t speak for the manga. We have a lot of action, a slew of memorable characters, and the story is not something you can truly predict. Sure, it’s extremely campy but that adds a lot of fun to it.
Finally, the practical effect in this film is absolutely amazing. The creature designs are not easily forgettable and the transformation scenes are gorgeous. You could spend days watching this film just to be amazed by the creature effects and gore present in this one. Overall, The Guyver is one hell of a treat for genre fans looking for practical effects and blood. I’ve loved this film since I was a little kid and this UHD release from Unearthed Films does it justice. I highly recommend checking this one out.
Special Features:
4K ULTRA HD + BLU-RAY + CD SOUNDTRACK | LIMITED COLLECTOR’S EDITION CONTENTS
NEW 4K restoration of the original R-rated 35mm camera negative by Unearthed Films
Blu-ray of the feature film and all new extras
The Guyver Soundtrack composed by Matthew Morse
Booklet
DISC ONE – FEATURE (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)
NEW 4K restoration of the original R-rated 35mm camera negative by Unearthed Films presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio in HDR
NEW Commentary with co-directors Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang, moderated by Dom O’Brien, the author of Budget Biomorphs: The Making of The Guyver Films
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Optional English SDH Subtitles
DISC TWO – FEATURE & EXTRAS (BLU-RAY)
NEW 4K restoration of the original R-rated 35mm camera negative by Unearthed Films presented in 1080p HD in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Optional English SDH Subtitles
NEW Commentary with co-directors Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang, moderated by Dom O’Brien, the author of Budget Biomorphs: The Making of The Guyver Films
NEW Interview with producer Brian Yuzna
NEW Interview with co-director Screaming Mad George
NEW Suit Tests with commentary by co-directors Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang
NEW Outtakes with commentary by co-directors Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang
NEW Gag Reel with commentary by co-directors Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang
NEW Production & Artwork Gallery
Alternate Title Sequence
Trailers
DISC THREE – SOUNDTRACK (COMPACT DISC)
The Guyver Soundtrack composed by Matthew Morse
