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
One year after gaining his alien super suit in defeating the Zoanoids of the Kronos corporation’s Los Anglees branch, The Guyver discovers an archaeological dig that might shed some light on the origins of his abilities. Unfortunately, the crows corporation is much larger then the division he destroyed and those weren’t the only Zoanoids in their employ…
Brief Background
Directed/produced by Steve Wang, who did the same for the first Guyver flick (which is nowhere to be found, at least not readily). He would go on to direct some of Power Rangers Lost Galaxy before creating the mid-00s attempt at bringing Kamen Rider to American shores, Kamen Rider Dragon Knight. The man’s American tokusatsu bona fides are undeniable.
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.
