Review #1,189: 'The Guyver' (1991)

Very loosely based on the Japanese manga of the same name by Yoshiki Takaya, The Guyver, also known as Mutronics in Europe, is one of those little oddities you may have caught on late-night TV when you were younger and loved, only to realise it's rather terrible when viewed again through more mature goggles. Directed by special effects maestros Screaming Mad George (Bride of Re-Animator) and Steve Wang (Hell Comes to Frogtown), produced by B-movie favourite Brian Yuzna, and co-starring Re-Animator alumni David Gale and Jeffrey Combs, The Guyver is custom-made to be an exploitation enthusiast's wet-dream. Yet, despite the wealth of rubber-suited monsters on show, it's really rather rubbish, but as rubbish goes, it certainly passes the time.

An opening scroll, which goes on for far too long, informs us that humans were created by ancient aliens who implanted a special gene into a select few which enables the host to transform into a hideous monster at will, known as 'Zoanoids'. These evil creatures now run a powerful organisation called Chronos, and are studying an artefact called the Guyver; a special device which can empower the possessor with organic armour and superpowers. Concerned about the power it will grant the monsters should they learn how to use it, a scientist within the corporation, Dr. Segawa (Greg Joung Paik), steals the device with the aim of passing it on to gruff cop Max (Mark Hamill). The doctor is murdered, but not before hiding the Guyver away. When Segawa's daughter Mizky (Vivian Wu) is informed, her goofball boyfriend Sean (Jack Armstrong) follows her to the crime scene, only to become the unwilling wielder of the Guyver's magic.

I almost wished I like The Guyver more, as it's clearly made by artists who understand why people love these kinds of films. Mad George and Wang make sure that we see the costumes and make-up in their full glory, rather than just glimpsed in shadows, but the fight scenes seem to go on forever. They are so clumsily choreographed - lots of punches and kicks that seem to inflict no damage - that it often feels like a slightly more violent episode of the original Power Rangers show. There is also the issue of the horrible humour, featuring one racial stereotype prone to outbursts of rap, played earnestly by '70s TV star Jimmie Walker. If you are looking for an adaptation that does justice to the mythology of the manga on which it is based, then you'll be completely underwhelmed. If you're a fan of low-budget trash, then there are plenty of familiar faces (including Michael Berryman in a prominent role) and fan-service to tide you over.

Directed by: Screaming Mad George, Steve Wang

Starring: Jack Armstrong, Mark Hamill, Vivian Wu, David Gale, Michael Berryman, Jimmie Walker, Jeffrey Combs

Country: USA/Japan

Rating: ***

Tom Gillespie