Inspired by some collectibles based on the Guyver movies popping up at auction recently, Tokusatsu Gesundheit ends the year examining the ONLY American Guyver flick you can currently stream: 1994’s The Guyver 2: Dark Hero.

Plot Rundown
Brief Background

Highlights
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David Hayter, who has gone on to become a legendary anime and video game voice actor (as well as a comic book movie screenwriter with some very notable produced screenplays to his name) takes over the role of the title character from Jack Armstrong. He does a fine job, considering general low-budget aesthetic of this film, but its weird hearing that well-known voice come out of that fairly pretty face.
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The Guyver gets his tips on potential Zoanoids by watching a conspiracy tabloid news show. It segues away from the story that leads him to the plot with “Next up, more Elvis sightings.”
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Cat yowls are layered into some Zoanoid roars. It is decidedly less intimidating then the sound designer probably hoped.
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The Guyver transforms by…. saying “Guyver”. Similar to how the Riders transformed on Dragon Knight. Wang is consistent, at least.
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The Guyver is decidedly more stabby than your average tokusatsu hero – His takedowns of monsters are decidedly more bloody than any Kamen Rider besides Shin.

Review
The creature and make-up effects are shockingly good for an American Direct-To-Video movie, better than some equivalent Tokusatsu of the era. Unfortunately, the quality of the writing and directing is only just so-so. Worth watching, but not something you need to rush over to Amazon and rent right this minute either.