DanTheMan 2
Original Japanese Version
The first of four movies released during studio Shochiku's brief stint with horror movies back in the 60s, The X from Outer Space has the reputation of being one of the silliest kaiju films of the era. Despite the constant optimism of its story, what the final product ends up being is so incredibly average yet distinctly unique, that it was hard to pin down a score.
When a crew of scientists returns from Mars with a sample of the space spores that contaminated their ship, they inadvertently bring about a nightmarish earth invasion. After one of the spores is analyzed in a lab, it escapes, eventually growing into an enormous, rampaging beaked beast.
One of only two films directed by Kazui Nihonmatsu, the other being the later released Genocide, it's a whole big bag of fine, not looking out of place with similar budgeted kaiju results at the time. It lacks a certain amount of energy or suspense to it being mostly flat and unadventurous with its techniques.
The film is such a slow-moving slog for its first two acts, following a group of one-note characters as they explore space for long periods of time with seemingly noting note-worthy happening. Then suddenly just as terminal boredom kicks in, the movie suddenly remembers it has something to do and the titular X arrives onscreen as a giant chicken-like kaiju called Guilala.
The special effects by Hiroshi Ikeda are certainly charming, carrying those early Tsuburaya vibes. There are some front projection techniques that don't actually work very well sprinkled in here as Guilala tramples people to death or appears in the distance. Outside of those, however, what is on display is genuinely great filmmaking in spite of its shortcomings. The tiny toy tanks, the beautifully awful little miniature buildings, the planes on string and suitmation are just such a pleasing sight, reminding me of why I originally got into these films in the first place. But dear lord, there's jaw-dropping and vaguely pornographic dispatching of Guilala at the end which is more than gonna scar a few people watching.
The cast doesn't really do anything throughout this film that is particularly praiseworthy, they just kind of skulk around not doing much and simply discuss their situation at hand. There's some decent attempt at an occasionally comedic moment but other than that they are your stock archetypes for this genre who are seemingly acted well enough that they would think you could be watching a better movie.
The music by composer Taku Izumi is certainly distinct, perhaps due to his background in anime compositions. There's definitely an air of psychedelics to the score with its early synth-laden jazz populating most of the runtime. An unpredictable mishmash of 1960s pop and bossa nova. Not really one for my tastes personally but it does the job well enough.
Cheesy and rich in comic non-sequiturs, The X from Outer Space does at least pass for entertainment in the right mindset but is probably best saved for one of those evenings where you and some friends just want to take the piss out of a bad movie. Offering a substantial amount of entertainment value and unintentional humour, thanks to its dual menaces of a gloppy space entity and a rampaging chicken monster.
If you ever decide you want to watch The X from Outer Space, do yourself a favour, and watch the opening credits for the bouncy theme song which you will NEVER get out of your head. Then fast forward to Guilala's first appearance, just brace yourself for Peggy Neal's inane "What I learned from the monster" speech at the end.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/24/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Japanese SCI-FI the cheap way. It's probably 2001 lightyears away from Kubricks 2001 in quality. They even dubbed the american actors into japanese.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/27/23
Full Review
Audience Member
The giant chicken monster is NOT our friend--The "Pushing Tin" of Japanese monster films... Ridiculously hammy fun!!
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/22/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A space romp turned kaiju attack that's as much a cheesy horror story as it is a cultural artifact. Back in the day, giant monsters weren't to be hunted down on their home planet - they were to be rocketed into space to become someone else's problem! Now pass the sake, the hot tub's still bubbling in the jazz-powered shuttle.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/27/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A 1968 movie, not very good. Doesn't even come close to GODZILLA.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/27/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Shochiku Company Limited's first foray into the monster movie genre that was exploding at this time in which every single Japanese studio had a monster movie in this particular year. Suffice to say, this is generic run of the mill BS that is entertaining for five year olds, those who appreciate nostalgia from a certain age (and do not mind subtitles) or for those who are completely wasted and have watched almost everything under the sun or can't find the remote. Whatever the case may be, it is a decent entry but it's far from special and it's not very good unless you're laughing at it. The added undertone of anti-Americanism (go back to your land, screw you too Japan!) is a bit of a turn off but completely understood as the monster Guilala shows us...those bombs leveled entire cities. We kinda still owe Japan one...or two.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/17/23
Full Review
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