The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I was expecting a decent film due to the ratings on IMDb, but what I experienced, was much greater than that. This period piece forces us to be an active participant by enveloping us with its desperate atmosphere. It's melodramatic set up brings the pacing down, so don't expect monster mashing anytime soon. It's tone is fierce and foreboding throughout. The tension is wonderful, and the anticipation of a reluctant savior slow to awaken, is as brutal as the wrath it releases! DaiMajin is like a freight train, slow to get going, and hard to stop! 8/10.**By the way I always recommend the Japanese versions with their acting and English subtitles.**

This is the first of the Daimajin trilogy that was created by Daiei on the backs of their famous Gamera series, and their samurai movies.Kozasa, and Tadafumi are brother and sister of the Hanabusa clan who's father Tadakiyo (Ryuzo Shimada) is the lord of the Yamanaka castle. One night their fate is changed abruptly when their minister Samanosuke Odate (Yutaro Gomi) unleashes a coup against their father. They are rescued by their faithful servant Kogenta (Jun Fujimaki), and escapes. They are now on the run from Samanosuke. Kogenta has a aunt Shinobu (Otome Tsukimiya) who is a priestess for the shrine of Daimajin - a god who is sealed under the large stone statue located in a near by mountain. Kogenta seeks refuge under her, and together they decide to hide Kozasa, and Tadafumi in that mountain. 10 years later, people of their country are suffering under the oppressive regime of Samanosuke. There is now a guerrilla force that is attempting to regain control of the country by the Hanabusa clan. Tadafumi (Yoshihiko Aoyama), now grown up is planning to overthrow the regime of Samanosuke. One day Kogenta is captured by Samanosuke's men. They now suspect that Tadafumi is alive, and waits for him to show up to rescue Kogenta. Tadafumi in an attempt to rescue Kogenta is himself captured, and is scheduled for execution. Shinobu goes to see Samanosuke to convince him to release Kogenta and Tadafumi, warning him that he will incur wrath of Daimajin unless he changes his evil ways, but instead she is cut down by Samanosuke. Samanosuke now decides to destroy the statue of Daimajin to prove that there is no such thing as wrath of god, but unfortunately for him, Shinobu's words comes true for him. Samanosuke's men tries to destroy the stone statue by driving a spike through its head. The stone statue starts to bleed and Samanosuke's henchmen are frightened out of their wits. There're now stormy clouds that is conjured by the Daimajin as it comes alive and he is now coming after Samanosuke. It's a bad day for the bad guys from that point on.This is a story about a fictitious folklore in the feudal age Japan coming to life. Ironically Daimajin himself has become somewhat of a lore in Japan making cameo appearance in comics, and other places. This is the seminal movie that started it all. Quality is very good as Daiei studio had much experience making samurai movies, and also worked on the Gamera series monster movies. It is a movie made mostly for the younger audience, but entertaining for the adults as well. Good entertainment from the '60s Japan that is still worth watching, and a classic in its own right.

I saw this at least twice on Channel 56 (Boston) Creature Double Feature when I was a kid- and it's the kind of movie you remember but can't believe existed. It was pretty amazing! This giant ancient Japanese warrior statue comes out of the sea and starts kicking ass. I had to wait for the internet and the debut of Google to find that I was right---it does exist. Now I am psyched and want to get the DVD if it exists. Right on !Other films on Channel 56 were the original War of the Worlds, which scared the hell out of me (it's really scary for a bad old sci fi flick---its the tentacles which I could psyche myself could be outside my window) and also the X from outer space and some other weird stuff that I will no doubt find out about someday, but this is really hallucinatory and amazing.

With its rerelease by ADV Films, I've had a chance to watch "The Giant Majin" for the first time without the deep cuts and unkind words of a late night Horror Chiller Theaters. Guess what? It's a pretty damn good movie!The sets are authentic, the acting in subdued and believable, and the giant Majin is stately, powerful, and unstopable. I loved the subtle fantasy touches (the enchanted wood, luck charm, etc), and the potrayal of the god as a little less than 'good'.This movie is begging for a remake in the new century!