I had been familiar with the manga and anime series The Guyver for quite some time before filmmakers Steve Wang and the late Screaming Mad George brought the live-action film to the screen. Blending humor, science fiction, action, and incredible creature effects, The Guyver proved to be a highly effective sci-fi fantasy adventure.
Released in 1991, the film did well enough to earn the powers that be’s green light for a sequel. In 1994, without Screaming Mad George’s participation, Wang embarked on what became a far more ambitious film—and one that was quite different from its predecessor. As part of its initial slate, Toy Robot Video has brought Guyver 2: Dark Hero to Blu-ray in an edition that finally gives this cult favorite the treatment it deserves.
Guyver 2: Dark Hero Is a Worthy Sequel
Sean Barker (David Hayter) struggles to control the mysterious alien armor fused to his body. The Guyver has transformed him into a superhuman fighting machine, but its violent instincts and disturbing visions are pushing him to the edge. After a series of strange visions, he travels to a remote archaeological dig in the Pacific Northwest, where archaeologist Marcus (Stuart Weiss) and his daughter, Allison (Kathy Christopherson), have uncovered an ancient alien spacecraft.
But the sinister Chronos Corporation has arrived with an army of savage Zoanoids—mutated human-monster hybrids intent on seizing the spacecraft and harnessing its incredible technology. Now Sean must unleash the Guyver’s full power before Chronos can unleash an alien nightmare upon the world.
Some viewers didn’t care for The Guyver’s goofy humor, so Wang opted for a much darker tone in the sequel, featuring bloody martial arts action and considerably more serious science-fiction elements. The result is a film that feels far more ambitious than its modest budget would suggest.
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Steve Wang is a legendary creature creator, and his highly detailed work is on display in almost every frame of the film. Whether it’s one of the grotesque Zoanoids or the Guyver armor itself, the practical effects remain the true stars of the show. Working with a budget under $1 million, he manages to create a world that feels far more convincing than those of productions with budgets many times larger.
The story is relatively simple, and some of the dialogue can be clunky, but Wang’s visual achievements are truly remarkable. The film is packed with imaginative creature designs, elaborate transformations, brutal fight sequences, and practical effects that give Guyver 2: Dark Hero a tangible quality that still holds up decades later.
The Toy Robot Video’s transfer, sourced from the best surviving film elements, is fantastic and easily the best the movie has ever looked. The improved presentation allows Wang’s creature work, production design, and elaborate practical effects to really shine.
Perhaps most interesting is the inclusion of an enhanced version of the film that polishes some of the optical effects without destroying the beauty of the original practical work. It’s fascinating to compare the two versions, and both are absolutely worth your time.
Guyver 2: Dark Hero Blu-ray Special Features
Toy Robot Video has packed this release with an impressive collection of extras, including:
- Three new audio commentaries, including one with director Steve Wang
- New interviews with producer/director Steve Wang
- New interviews with actors David Hayter and Kathy Christopherson
- New interview with screenwriter Nathan Long
- New interview with composer Les Claypool III
- Additional interviews with members of the cast and crew
- Behind-the-scenes footage from the original production
- Archival making-of material
- Trailers
- Photo galleries
- Production sketches and artwork
It’s the kind of supplemental package that fans of cult genre cinema have been waiting for.
Thankfully, Steve Wang’s directorial efforts are finally receiving the archival treatment they deserve. Toy Robot Video has gone above and beyond with this presentation, giving Guyver 2: Dark Hero the kind of release that celebrates both the film and the incredible practical-effects work that brought it to life.
Guyver 2: Dark Hero remains the action-packed sci-fi martial arts extravaganza I’ve always loved, and this new Blu-ray gives longtime fans a chance to rediscover it and introduces Wang’s ambitious sequel to an entirely new audience.
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