Unveiling of the X-Plus Godzilla 2014

Even unpainted, this bad boy looks great. Also, with the gorgeous King Ghidorah looming right behind, it makes you salivate over how cool the sequel fights are going to look. (Here's hoping they keep Ghidorah's neck afro.)

We're on Tumblr!

Come scroll with Suits & Strings on Tumblr! This will remain the HQ for Suits and Strings, but I will be sharing fan figure photography, art, music, and more on the Tumblr.

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Film Review: Daimajin (1966)

I'll start this review off by confessing that I have never seen any of the Daimajin trilogy. A terrible confession for a real tokusatsu film fan. But, never the less, in my spare time I delved into the first installment of this trilogy and will admit, it was worth every. single. second.

Copyright of Daiei Production Company.

Beware, slight spoilers. Nothing too deep, but a basic wash of the film.

The basic plot revolves around a very standard samurai drama: A village in peace, led by the righteous leader Hanabasa, is attacked and overthrown by a villainous traitor named Samanosuke. Samanosuke goes on a rampage of slaughter and destruction, destroying the Lord and his wife. Unbeknownst to the new leadership, two heirs, a son and daughter of the fallen dynasty, have been stolen away and hidden in a mountainside safe house. Years later, the tyrant Samanosuke captures Hanabasa's son Tadafumi. In desperation, Tadafumi's sister Kozasa prays to the mighty Majin who is trapped in the mountain. Offering her life for her brother's, the Majin awakes and reigns down vengeance on the Tyrant kingdom.

What I love about this film is exactly what people hate about some daikaiju films: Waiting to see the monster. Personally, I am all for building the tension and suspense when it comes to unveiling the creature.

(In this case I feel it's not exactly accurate to label the Majin as a "creature", but the logic is the same.)

Of course, it's a double edged sword in most cases. Sometimes you wait and wait for that moment where you get to scan the entire design and nuance of the creature only to be disappointed. In the case of Daimajin, you are anything BUT disappointed. Not only do the effects look great, but those 15 minutes of Majin action are some really heavy minutes.

You've got everything: A spectacular looking suit for the stunt actor, phenomenal miniature work, a fiery red sky silhouetting the story driven monster, and on top of all that? An Akira Ifukube score.

I can't help but think that those are the exact reasons why Gojira is a cinematic milestone.

In addition to superb effects, the first 3/4 of this film is carried by a cast of fantastic actors who really bring you into the story and turmoil of their situation. It's speaks volume for their talent when an actor can make you feel and make you connect regardless of the language their speaking. To follow that up, it also speaks volumes when an actor is limited to acting exclusively through movement (or in this case, their eyes) and can still manage to convey emotion, intent, and dialogue. This film has it all.

Now I'm not saying that it's the best Daikaiju movie ever, I'm not even saying it beats out my top 3 (which are Gojira, Invasion of the Astro Monster, and War of the Gargantuas, if you were curious.) but it definitely gained my respect. Respect for not only the trilogy but for the Daiei company as well, who always seems to get the bad wrap of being TOHO's less than average brother.

For you interested in the series, you're in luck! Amazon has this entire trilogy on Blu Ray for about $10.

For you cheapskates out there, or people who want to test drive it before you buy it, you can find all three films subtitled on Youtube.

I give Daimajin (1966), directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda, 

8 out of 10

S.H. Monsterarts Godzilla 2014 Poster Version and Effect Releases.

I don't want to sound smug or I-told-you-so, but we've got some more repaints coming our way from Tamashii. But, never fear, I actually have a positive outlook on these releases... or at least one.

First up: The Godzilla 2014 Poster Version:

He looks almost friendly.

Now I'm not sure what poster they're referring to exactly, but it's... interesting. Compared to the other reveal, it pales in comparison.

The Fire-Breathing-Spine-Glowing-MUTO-Beheading Version:

I'm sure that's the official release name, too.

Arguably, this is the figure we would have wanted in the initial release. I understand that they probably wanted a plain  Godzilla to release with dark fins and yadda yadda, but THIS. THIS is a great looking figure. It looks like some of the face paint is touched up and the spines look amazing, very classic Godzilla glow. Also, that is some serious film-accurate breath effect. I love how they captured the more vapor-esque look to the new atomic breath as compared to the standard "beam" effect.

Maybe I'm speculating, but seeing that MUTO head makes me feel like there is a small glimmer of a chance that we'll see a release. Maybe. Just Maybe. But for now, that head looks awesome.

So, there you have it, 2 new Gojis coming your way if you skipped on the initial release of the new Godzilla. I, for one, am already debating on selling mine to get this bad boy! Speak up in the comments below: Which one of these releases would you rather have? Or are you good sticking with the initial release? 

As a heads up, 2 very exciting releases to ring in the new year are coming for you SHMA collectors, of course I'm talking about Mecha King Ghidorah and GAMERA! Get those preorders in because I have a feeling these are going to be great.

Let your Skreonk be heard!

http://shop.tamashii.jp/

Here you see the link to the new tamashii website. On this page you will find a basic survey asking for some feedback about any specific line. Raise your voices in honor of your Monster shelves and cases!
Personally, I cast my vote for some Showa era Monsterarts. Maybe it's time for another Titanosaurus uprising?

And as Titanosaurus would say: "Woop Woop."

S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla 2000 Special Color Edition... thoughts.

Set for release in May 2015, Tamashii Nations has recently unveiled their next Godzilla figure: A Godzilla 2000 repaint. Now before I get onto my soapbox about how this strange new phase of repaints and slight variations for new releases is rather frustrating, let's take a look at this, shall we?

First of all, this looks like a great figure. We can also attest to it being so because most SHMA collectors already have the original release. In fact, it's regarded as one of the best releases in the line. The great thing about this figure is this is a great opportunity for collectors to grab this figure who missed it the first time around. With aftermarket prices for the original release hitting well over $200, this release will be a great sigh of relief for eager fans.

Secondly, we see that the special color edition is code word for a KiryuGoji paint scheme, which is very cool. I think what's so great about that suit(s), if you count Tokyo S.O.S., is that its a great mix of Millennium Godzilla and classic Godzilla. I can ramble about suit construct and design changes, but what we're here to look at is the figure, and here are my red flags.

Sure it has the great color palate of the KiryuGoji, and sure the basic designs between the design of Godzilla 2000 and Godzilla 2003 are similar, but they are not the same.

Shin'ichi Wakasa worked as model maker/suit maker for this adventure.

Picky? ABSOLUTELY! But, kind of clumping these suits together is doing both of them a great injustice. Now, I know, I know, Tamashii isn't marketing this as a KiryuGoji, they haven't even mentioned the similarities. Yes, I know. But, what I will say is, with the recent trend of re-sculpting and repainting (Birth Version sticks out in my mind like a sore thumb) It almost feels like they're trying to substitute this release instead of giving us a brand new sculpt. My personal opinion is that it feels like they're cutting corners a bit. Why take the time and money to make an entirely new figure that looks somewhat in the ballpark of one we already have? It makes total sense. I will congratulate them by pointing out that they aren't even attempting to market this figure as anything other than a repaint, which is something I wish they were more upfront about with the Birth Version.

Am I blowing it out of proportions a little bit? More than likely, yes. But I see some troublesome times ahead of us with this age of repaints and slight tweaking. But on the plus side, Gamera and Mecha King Ghidorah are on their way and that is something to be excited about.

Agree? Disagree? Discuss in the comments! I leave you now with some comparison shots of the original release and KiryuG... I mean, the repaint.

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