ARCHIVE REVIEW OF THE CLASSIC JAPANESE MONSTER 'GAMERA'

Year: 1965 Rating: ***1/2

There are so many versions of this giant turtle epic that it's hard to find the actual source: the real thing is obviously the version without the Americans thrown in, but what's patch-worked together is an intensely terrific man-in-monster-costume ride... 

A side-story involving a kid who loves turtles provides more color than the rambling dialog of the scientists figuring a way to destroy a beast: who ferociously thrives on whatever weapon's thrown its way. But it's the savory battles, and the last ten minutes providing the much-mentioned "Plan" to finally rid of "Gammera" (the actual spelling) that makes the whole romp worthwhile.