This is my favorite genre: Giant Monster Movies. I love big ol' monsters on the rampage. Unfortunately, this one was released before miniature sets and the like were available, so it's a bit handicapped. On the other hand, it really uses what it has well. On top of that, the monster is shown as a force of nature - albiet one that doesn't get allot of screen time (for obvious reasons).

Storm Blender films picked up Kurt Best to play the lead role. Kurt's bounced around from studio to studio, taking roles whereever and as whatever. However, he excels in the role of the hero. He's accompanied by Edward Foltar, an older actor who doesn't get as much work as I think he should.

Foltar plays Captain Foller, a military officer, who comes to seek the advice of Jason (Kurt's boringly named persona) on wierd readings off the coast. Don't most of these Godzilla rip offs start that way...? Anyhow, Jason used to be in the military before an unspecified injury took him out of duty. Foller still trusts his opinion, though. Soon, the Captain's second-in-command feels a shockwave and looks up in horror. To what, we already know - we saw Monstora in the opening sequence. Of course, she's shocked and they all run for it. Monstora features one of the coolest monster roars this side of Godzilla. It's unique, and doesn't resemble any other monster that I know of. There's also several versions of it so you're not hearing the same canned sound over and over. The footsteps need work though.

Soon, panic hits the streets. Foller calls for backup so he can try and rid the city of this giant beast. Monstora is next seen walking through town. This effect is achieved through the use of a stage and a matte painting of a skyline. Not very convincing, but creative. Eventually Foller's squad is on the streets. Yes, they're on foot, trying to kill a hundred-foot-tall behemoth with rifles. Yes, it's as ridiculous as it sounds. To no-one's suprise, they're decimated, and Jason's gets knocked out. When he comes to, the city is in ruins.He vows revenge on Monstora for all who he's killed (although he hasn't killed anyone for sure that we've seen, but just go along with it). Of course, that will have to wait for a sequel.

Like I said, this movie gets props from me for creativity. The name is all-too simple, and the monster isn't exactly fear-inducing as it's used, but in a time when miniatures didn't exist, Storm Blender didn't let that stop them from making a giant monster movie. The use of the ruined city to show the aftermath would work better if it resembled in some way the city we saw Monstora attack (which it doesn't). All in all, the movie is fun but a little simplistic and a little too far ahead of it's time. It's worth a watch just to see how they pulled the effects off. Average Recommendation.

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