Movie spotlight
Varan the Unbelievable
In an effort to find an economic means of purifying salt water, a joint U.S.-Japanese military command is set up on an isolated Japanese island where an unusual salt water lake is situated. However, their purifying experiments arouse the prehistoric monster Obaki from hibernation at the lake's bottom, and it proceeds to attack Japan. Although made by a U.S. independent film company, this film was based on a Japanese Toho monster film of 1958, "Daikaiju Varan", from which all of the monster effects scenes and a few incidental dramatic shots were edited into it.
Insights
Plot Summary
A giant, prehistoric supersaur named Varan is awakened from its slumber by a secret military experiment in the Japanese Alps. The creature, a carnivorous reptile capable of flight and emitting poisonous spores, goes on a destructive rampage. Scientists and military forces must band together to find a way to stop the rampaging beast before it decimates Tokyo and beyond.
Critical Reception
Varan the Unbelievable, an American-dubbed and re-edited version of the Japanese film 'Daikaij eighbors;yu', received a generally poor reception from critics, largely due to its pacing, underdeveloped plot, and less impressive special effects compared to other kaiju films of the era. Audiences found the monster's design and abilities somewhat intriguing, but the overall execution was deemed lackluster.
What Reviewers Say
The creature's design and destructive potential are a modest highlight.
Pacing issues and a weak narrative detract from the monster action.
Fails to live up to the standards set by other prominent kaiju films.
Google audience: Google user reviews for Varan the Unbelievable are scarce, but those available often cite the film as a forgettable entry in the monster movie genre, with some appreciation for the creature itself but disappointment in the overall filmmaking.
Fun Fact
The original Japanese version, 'Daikaij eighbors;yu', was initially intended to be a standalone film but was later re-edited, re-dubbed, and released in the United States as 'Varan the Unbelievable' with significant changes to the plot and some added scenes.
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