Kairyu Daikessen (loosely translated big decisive battle of the mysterious dragon) aka the magic serpent is a mixture of the giant monster genre spearheaded by the Godzilla cinematic universe (as we would call it now) and the more colourful less dramatic variant of japanese period action films like ninja boy Watari, which is a match made in heaven.
Of course the overall look of the film, especially the effects, are very of their time but this results in a rather charming experience since every element of the film has the same level of artificiality and stylization. Its closest equivalent would be the classic Ray Harryhausen films. When you just see the stop motion skeletons swinging sabres it looks cheesy, but in context it works, in much the same way you don't question why everything looks painted in a classic animated movie.
The story is solid too, if nothing special and there are a few stretches where the film starts to drag a little bit, but it picks up the pace again near the end. Overall this was an entertaining, colourful and campy fantasy fare with many creative and unique elements. Magic, Ninjas, Samurai, monsters, what's not to like?
I wish there was more like this.
Of course the overall look of the film, especially the effects, are very of their time but this results in a rather charming experience since every element of the film has the same level of artificiality and stylization. Its closest equivalent would be the classic Ray Harryhausen films. When you just see the stop motion skeletons swinging sabres it looks cheesy, but in context it works, in much the same way you don't question why everything looks painted in a classic animated movie.
The story is solid too, if nothing special and there are a few stretches where the film starts to drag a little bit, but it picks up the pace again near the end. Overall this was an entertaining, colourful and campy fantasy fare with many creative and unique elements. Magic, Ninjas, Samurai, monsters, what's not to like?
I wish there was more like this.