Media Blasters ongoing excavation of the classic sci fi and giant monster movies in the vaults at Japan's Toho Studios continues with Space Amoeba, the final non-Godzilla film to be directed by legendary kaiju helmer Ishiro Honda. And, just as has been the case with the rest of their Toho releases, Media Blasters does right by this campy gem with a solid release.
Shot in 1970, at roughly the same time as the Apollo 13 incident and shortly after Armstrong's moon walk, Space Amoeba begins with the launch of the Helios 7, an unmanned probe being sent to explore the solar system. Midway through its journey the Helios encounters a strange cloud of glittering dust, dust that moves with a mind of its own, infiltrates the probe and reverses its course, sending it back to earth. When they lose contact with the probe the Japanese space authorities assume that it has been lost but news photographer Kudo knows better, having spotted the probe descending back to earth while on a flight back to Tokyo from assignment in Brazil.
When Kudo is unsuccessful in his attempts to convince his superiors that he's stumbled on to a major story he accepts a private contract to take publicity photos on a remote island slated for resort development, a job he accepts only because the island is close to where he believes the Helios went down and because it is rumored to be the home of a legendary monster. And so, accompanied by a young resort executive, a biologist friend going to study the local wildlife and hoping for a glimpse of the monster, and a supposed anthropologist Kudo sets off for the island. He is correct, of course. The Helios has landed just off shore and that sparkling dust? It proves to be a malevolent, parasitic life form that seizes control of a succession of sea creatures and transforms them into giant monsters to wreak havoc on the local island population. There is Gezora, the giant squid; Ganimes, the giant crab; and Kamoebas, the giant neck-extending turtle, who would later make an appearance in Godzilla: Tokyo SOS.
Space Amoeba's one flaw is a fairly tame final battle, one that feels a little anticlimactic and clumsily shot. In all other respects this stands firmly in the upper reaches of kaiju films, particularly when ranked among the kaiju offerings not built around one of the major ‘stars'. Honda's blending of miniatures, rubber suits and other effects techniques is fantastic, standing with some of the best work in the genre. The cast is engaging, with the characters striking the right blend of predictable stock types and unique personality. All three monsters are quality, each with its own unique strengths. Kamoebas' extendable neck attacks are a blast, and the image of Gazera – the giant squid – stalking across dry land, tentacles waving wildly, is absolutely classic, surely a direct inspiration for the madness of The Calamari Wrestler.
The DVD release is excellent, boasting a nicely restored anamorphic transfer. Audio is offered in both the original Japanese – in the original mono and a new 5.1 mix – as well as the English dub for those who want to relive the wasted afternoons of youth watching these on weekend television. You also get a pair of trailers for this film as well as a batch of other kaiju titles, a documentary about the sea animals that provided the basis for the monsters, and a commentary track with producer Fumio Tanaka. Set up as a Q&A session with Tanaka while watching the film you find that his memory has faded some more than thirty five years after the fact but it's still a blast to listen to his recollections and stories, to say nothing of the enthusiasm of his interviewer.
With their blend of thrills and goofy camp laughs these old Toho films are fully deserving of their cult classic label and it's great to see them getting quality releases on these shores, particularly in the case of the generally hard to find and largely forgotten non-Godzilla titles. A fun film, well presented. Recommended.