Watch Deep Sea Beast Reigo
- 2005
Deep Sea Beast Reigo is a Japanese monster movie from 2005 that takes place during World War II. Directed by Shinpei Hayashiya, the movie stars Isamu Ago as Captain Jinguji, the commander of a Japanese aircraft carrier, and Mickey Curtis as Dr. Kusumi, a scientist who has been developing a new weapon to be used against the Allies. The movie combines historical events with a fictional storyline involving a giant monster that has been awakened from its slumber in the Pacific Ocean by the sound of naval warfare.
The movie begins with the Japanese navy carrying out a secret mission to transport a mysterious object called the Amanohashidate Stone to Japan. The stone is believed to be connected to a legendary sea monster called Reigo, which has been known to attack ships and eat sailors. Meanwhile, Dr. Kusumi is working on a new weapon that he believes can harness the power of Reigo's electromagnetic waves, which could give Japan a decisive advantage in the war.
However, as the Japanese navy sails through the Pacific Ocean, they are ambushed by the Allied forces, and several of their ships are sunk. In the chaos of battle, Reigo is awakened from its slumber and begins attacking both Japanese and Allied ships. Captain Jinguji and his crew must find a way to defeat the monster and protect the Amanohashidate Stone while also trying to survive the war.
One of the most striking things about Deep Sea Beast Reigo is its use of practical effects to create the giant monster. Rather than relying on CGI or other digital effects, the movie uses a combination of miniature models and a man in a rubber suit to bring Reigo to life. While the effects may not be as polished as what we see in modern Hollywood blockbusters, they have a certain charm and an old-school feel that harkens back to the classic monster movies of the 1950s and 60s.
Another strong point of the movie is its attention to historical detail. The movie takes place during a time when Japan was fighting for its survival and facing tremendous pressure from the Allies. The tension and desperation of the war are palpable, and the movie does a good job of capturing the atmosphere of the time. Additionally, the movie draws on real events such as the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the sinking of the battleship Yamato, and includes period-accurate details such as the use of Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter planes.
Despite its strengths, Deep Sea Beast Reigo does have a few weaknesses. The pacing of the movie can be uneven at times, especially in the first half where there is a lot of exposition about the Amanohashidate Stone and Dr. Kusumi's experiments. Additionally, some of the characters can come across as one-dimensional, such as the hot-headed Lieutenant Commander Oki who is obsessed with killing Reigo.
Overall, Deep Sea Beast Reigo is an enjoyable movie for fans of monster movies and Japanese cinema. While it may not be a classic of the genre, it has enough charm and historical context to make it worth watching. The practical effects and attention to detail set it apart from many modern monster movies, and the combination of action, suspense, and a giant radioactive sea monster make for an entertaining viewing experience.