Retromedia has rescued another set of classics from obscurity with "The Giant Majin Collection." This double sided disc contains the only two Majin films released in the US through AIP-TV...Majin Monster of Terror and Return of Giant Majin.
Chances are if you found this review, you already know the storyline behind any Majin film. If not, it goes something like this...
1. Main characters are oppressed by evil despot, all the while exhibiting faith that the stone idol God in the mountain/shrine/valley will come to their rescue.
2. Evil despot seeks main characters to kill and quell any and all rebellions against him/them.
3. Evil despot succeeds in killing at least one main character, or two or three supporting characters, thus making the situation seem hopless.
4. Beautiful female character (or in the case of the last film, a child) begs to be saved by the idol.
5. Majin listens...Majin goes into town and pulls it down!
6. Then the character who envoked Majin has to say "Whoa big fella, that is enough!"
7. Majin reverts to his idol form and crumbles away.
I don't mean to minimize these great films with the scenario above, but it states the case. They remain unique and highly entertaining entries in the giant monster craze of the 60's.
Retromedia has done a fine job of finding some good TV prints for this collection. Of the two, Majin, Monster of Terror is the better print. The film on the flip side The Return of Giant Majin is the best AIP-TV print I have seen of this title to date. Sound quality is good on both prints.
Behold! The Value Bullets of Fate...
- Entertaiment Cost Per Minute = (Cost ÷ Total Minutes)÷ Number of Movies included) .04995¢ per minute
- Overall Presentation - Graphics, Menus, etc. - Good
- Source Quality - Good
- Sound Quality - Good
- Bonus Features - None
Recommendation: Good overall presentation, source quality and cost make this a no-brainer. Go buy it.
