Gamera: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Gamera: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 25, 2020

There’s a venerable old maxim that states “what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for gander”, and in that regard, this deluxe Arrow release may be thought of as being at least kinda sorta the same “sauce” for an iconic kaiju that Criterion’s Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954-1975 was for what is arguably the most iconic kaiju in the annals of Japanese cinema. The Criterion release aggregated fifteen Godzilla films ranging from the monster’s 1954 debut to Terror of Mechagodzilla from 1975, while this collection covers the Gamera films from the 1965 debut of the creature through 2006's Gamera the Brave. The comparison between the two franchises is perhaps particularly apt in that, as August Ragone gets into in some of the bounteous supplemental features included on this release, Gamera was Daiei’s attempt to duplicate the success that Toho had had with the Godzilla films. As such, there’s an undeniably derivative aspect to quite a few (maybe all) of the Gamera films, plus there is a perhaps equally undeniable comedic element in that Gamera is in essence a giant, marauding turtle, as opposed to the arguably more threatening dinosaur-like ambience of Godzilla. Aside from the inclusion of retooled American versions of some of the films that this Arrow set offers as ostensible supplements, all of the original versions of the twelve "Japanese" films in this set save one were included in Gamera HD Bundle Collection from Mill Creek Entertainment several years ago, albeit with pretty shoddy technical merits according to my colleague Martin Liebman's reviews (the parent entry for the collection does not have a separate review, but if you go to the product Overview tab, Marty has reviewed all but one of the films in the set linked to in the parent review). Mill Creek also released Gamera Trilogy, which Marty reviewed separately, and which includes his only review of Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris. I'll refer to Marty's reviews in my reviews of the shared films in this set for those who want plot recaps, leaving the bulk of my reviews to both technical assessments and detailing of the supplementary material. The one outlier that wasn't released by Mill Creek, the aformentioned Gamera the Brave, was released by Tokyo Shock a few years ago and was reviewed at that time by Brian Orndorf, so in my review of that particular film I'll be referring to Brian's review for plot information. As always it can also be instructive to look at the various reviews in order to compare screenshots. I will say that I evidently have more of a soft spot for some of these films than my colleagues, and my scores for the films reflect that opinion. Arrow, long the champion of cult items, has outdone itself with this release, offering all of the Gamera films in a really handsomely appointed package that includes a glut of both on disc bonus features as well as accompanying non-disc swag (the disc related supplements are detailed in the individual reviews of each film, while the non-disc supplements are listed below).

For reviews of the films in this set, please click on the following links:

Gamera Blu-ray review

Gammera the Invincible Blu-ray review

Gamera vs. Barugon Blu-ray review

Gamera vs. Gyaos Blu-ray review

Gamera vs. Viras Blu-ray review

Gamera vs. Guiron Blu-ray review

Gamera vs. Jiger Blu-ray review

Gamera vs. Zigra Blu-ray review

Gamera: Super Monster Blu-ray review

Gamera: Guardian of the Universe Blu- ray review

Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion Blu-ray review

Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris Blu-ray review

Gamera the Brave Blu-ray review

Gamera: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Video quality of each film is assessed in the above linked reviews.

Gamera: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio quality of each film is assessed in the above linked reviews.

Gamera: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Supplements associated with each film are detailed in the above linked reviews. Additionally, this release is packed to the gills with non-disc material. This limited edition packaging includes a large format rigid box illustrated by Matt Frank (who contributes one of the more energetic commentaries to the set). A "casebound" fully illustrated book houses the eight Blu-ray discs on thick, cardstock-like "pages" with "half moon" slits containing the discs. This was the one aspect to this release that caused me a little agita, as I had a heck of a time actually getting the discs out of the little slits they were in. There's also a hardback 130 page book featuring reprints of four Gamera comic books that were issued by the fantastic Dark Horse Comics from my hometown of Portland, Oregon, as well as the first ever English language printing of a prequel comic by Matt Frank and Joshua Bugosh. A "perfect bound" (softbound) 80 page booklet contains a glut of stills, writings about the films, as well as technical information. Finally, both a double sided poster and art cards are included. For those who are swag location challenged as I can be at times, it took me a minute to figure out that the poster is housed inside a pretty well hidden sleeve that's part of the inside front cover of the case holding the discs.

Gamera: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Wow. I'm not one who typically gushes over packaging and swag, but this collection from Arrow is one of the most comprehensive and just flat out enjoyable releases I've had the pleasure to review lately. Are the films (often) silly? Absolutely, but for me, anyway, that's part of the undeniable charm of this release. This Limited Edition is already going for big bucks, but word has it Arrow will be releasing standalone editions of the films soon. For the diehard collector, though, this release will be indispensable. Technical merits have some issues but still easily best the Mill Creek releases, and the supplemental package is incredible. Highly recommended.