#steve wang

[cosmonautroger]

Steve Wang

[boardsdonthitback]

Mark Dacascos - Drive (1997)

[techs-mechs]

by Steve Wang

[brokehorrorfan]

4K UHD Review: The Guyver

Following in the wildly successful footsteps of Batman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Guyver takes a (relatively) grounded approach to its outlandish source material — in this case, a Japanese manga series — without divorcing itself from its comic book roots. Produced by Brian Yuzna (Re-Animator, Society), the 1991 film is directed by special effects wizards Screaming Mad George (Society, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master) and Steve Wang (Predator, The Monster Squad).

As the Star Wars-esque expository opening crawl explains, mankind was created by aliens as an organic weapon. The evil Chronos corporation is further developing a technology that allows humans to change into "super monster soldiers" known as Zoanoids for world domination. The only viable defense against them is The Unit, a piece of bio-booster alien armor that increases a human's natural powers a hundredfold, turning them into The Guyver.

Mark Hamill's top billing may lead you to believe that he's the titular hero, but he instead plays a supporting role as a CIA agent investigating Chronos. The real lead is Jack Armstrong (Student Bodies) as Sean Barker, an amateur martial artist who's the only person that can activate The Unit. When his girlfriend (Vivian Wu, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III) is endangered, Sean utilizes his newfound powers to take down Chronos and the Zoanoids.

Armstrong is a bland lead, but it's not entirely his fault. In addition to a mustachioed Hamill channeling Colombo, he has to compete with several scene-stealing character actors. Re-Animator's David Gale chews the scenery as the malevolent head of Chronos, briefly reuniting with Jeffrey Combs as the company's scientist, Dr. East (get it?). Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes) plays Gale's right-hand Zoanoid with Jimmie Walker (Good Times) as his rapping goon. Linnea Quigley (The Return of the Living Dead) cameos as a scream queen.

But the real stars of the show are the creatures, the designs of which showcase boundless creativity. The Guyver looks like Ultraman by way of Clive Barker, and each Zoanoid adopts a different animal's traits. While a number of other artists were employed to pull off the myriad of monsters, George and Wang's fingerprints are all over the effects, imbuing the alien superhero movie with some disturbing body-horror.

Jon Purdy's script deviates significantly from source material not only in terms of story but also tone. While some of the manga's dark atmosphere and violence remain intact, it's undercut by goofy humor in an attempt to appeal to a younger demographic. Fans of Yoshiki Takaya's original creation were no doubt disappointed (Wang attempted a bit of a course correction with his 1994 sequel, Guyver: Dark Hero), but the tonal confusion is actually charming.

Originally cut down to a PG-13 rating in the US, The Guyver has been newly restored in 4K from the original, R-rated 35mm camera negative with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 options for Unearthed Films' 4K UHD + Blu-ray release. Far removed from the days of Jaws and Alien in which the monster was largely hidden in shadows, George and Wang put their creations on full display — and even with a crystal-clear restoration, the in-camera effects shine.

Two new audio commentaries are included. The first is a lively one with George and Wang, moderated by Budget Biomorphs: The Making of The Guyver Films author Dom O’Brien. It's not the most informative track — the filmmakers admit to not having seen the film in over two decades — but they're enjoying themselves so much that it hardly matters. The second commentary features creature crew members "Evil" Ted Smith and Wyatt Weed, who delve into the nitty-gritty of the effects.

Yuzna and George each sit down for thorough new interviews. Yuzna reveals that he's been approached about a remake, but the rights are complicated, while George's infectious energy lasts the entire 56 (!) minutes. Creature suit camera test footage is included with commentary options from George and Wang or Smith and Weed, while outtakes and a gag reel feature George and Wang commentary.

Other extras include: alternate title sequences in English, German and Spanish; English, German, Spanish, and French trailers (all carrying the alternate title Mutronics); and extensive promotional and production galleries. The collector's edition also comes with the soundtrack CD composed by Matthew Morse (Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker) and a booklet featuring liner notes by O’Brien and Morse.

The Guyver is available now on 4K UHD via Unearthed Films.

[ruinedholograms]

(1994)

[90ssuperheroes]

At around the 1:23:01 mark of Batman Returns (1992), you can spot Batman wearing a prototype cowl created by Steve Wang in 90/91. The final cowl, worn for most of the film, was designed by Jose Fernandez.

[monstersonscreen]

The Gillman in The Monster Squad (1987), realized by Matt Rose and Steve Wang based on concept sketches by Stan Winston.

Steve Wang was entrusted with the realization of the Gillman thanks to winning a costume contest judged by Stan Winston, Rick Baker and Dick Smith; before winning the contest, Stan had disagreed with Wang's idea to give the Gillman a frog-like paint scheme, something that he went through with after winning the contest! The suit head was fitted with animatronics to allow its mouth to open and close.

Gillman was not played by a stuntman but instead by one of the effects team members, Tom Woodruff Jr. Woodruff already had a body cast of himself because he had been wanting to build his own personal gorilla suit; and as the Gillman's actor had not been cast at that point, Woodruff Jr. offered to play the role and brought up the existing life cast as a money saving reason. Woodruff's life cast had to be minimally altered making the Gillman suit so that it would be tighter, eliminating any chance of creases appearing on the suit.

[omercifulheaves]

Hey, looks like The Guyver (1991) is getting a 4k / blu-ray release this May, featuring the R-rated cut of the film, commentaries / interviews with co-directors Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang, a bunch of behind the scenes footage, a booklet and soundtrack CD. I remember the movie not quite being a patch on the second movie but that's pretty packed. Hopefully they got one in the works for Dark Hero.

[bens-things]

The Guyver (1991) dir. Steve Wang, Screaming Mad George

[otakunoculture]

Steve Wang and an Amazing 40 Years in the Makeup Effects Industry. Reflections on the Film That Defined His Career: Kung Fu Rascals

Was exciting to #interview Steve Wang ahead of @VisualVenVideo #bluray release of Kung Fu Rascals! We got to explore some topics that may not be included, and you can read on here:

Available to preorder on Amazon USA Steve Wang’s behind-the-scenes credits are vast, and to talk to him about the work that got him recognized as an award-winning creature creator and master FX artist was an absolute pleasure. He grew up watching shows like Ultraman, Super Sentai along with many Japanese monster movies which would later influence his creations. One movie that helped him get…

[treehouse-thrills]

Treehouse Thrills 4

- What day is it?

[an0thercufan]

Oh yeah, meet the survivors also I got a name for the au, TETOCU toxic waste infection, and sorry for the long wait

Part 1

[spacelasagna]

every day is halloween if you’re a believer

(cut in half version below for poorly made close-ups)

[brokehorrorfan]

The Guyver will be released on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on May 21 via Unearthed Films. Also known as Mutronics, the 1991 sci-fi superhero film is based on the Japanese manga series of the same name by Yoshiki Takaya.

Special effects legends Steve Wang (Predator) and Screaming Mad George (Society) co-direct from a script by Jon Purdy. Mark Hamill, Vivian Wu, Jack Armstrong, Jimmie Walker, Michael Berryman, David Gale, and Jeffrey Combs star. Brian Yuzna (Re-Animator, Society) produces.

The Guyver has been newly restored in 4K from the original, R-rated 35mm camera negative with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 options. The 4K edition includes a soundtrack CD and a booklet. Special features are listed below.

Disc 1 - 4K UHD:

Audio commentary by co-directors Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang, moderated by Budget Biomorphs: The Making of The Guyver Films author Dom O’Brien (new)

Disc 2 - Blu-ray:

Audio commentary by co-directors Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang, moderated by Budget Biomorphs: The Making of The Guyver Films author Dom O’Brien (new)

Interview with producer Brian Yuzna (new)

Interview with co-director Screaming Mad George (new)

Suit tests with commentary by co-directors Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang (new)

Outtakes with commentary by co-directors Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang (new)

Gag geel with commentary by co-directors Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang (new)

Production & artwork gallery (new)

Alternate title sequence

Trailers

Disc 3 - CD:

Original soundtrack composed by Matthew Morse (Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker)

When a researcher at the Chronos Corporation is mysteriously killed, his daughter (Vivian Wu), her boyfriend, Sean (Jack Armstrong), and a rogue CIA agent named Max Reed (Mark Hamill) all suspect foul play. Sean discovers a top-secret suit of Chronos armor called "the Guyver," which fuses to his body when he tries it on, turning him into a supremely powerful cyborg. Chronos' evil CEO, Fulton Balcus (David Gale), is enraged and sends a crew of mutant alien monsters to get the Guyver back.

Pre-order The Guyver.

[ruinedholograms]

(1991)

[angmarenthusiast]

Tales of Arcadia incorrect quotes

the obligatory thing I do when I get a new interest

Claire, to Jim: If Toby doesn't say "I'm King of the world" within an hour on that boat, I will give you my next pay check. Toby, within 5 minutes of getting on the boat: I'M KING OF THE WORLD!!!

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Steve: *angrily presses Eli against a wall* WHERE'S THE MONEY?! Eli: ... Eli: Are we about to kiss-

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Douxie: Did you just refer to a knife as a “people-opener”? Krel: Krel: …Should I not have?

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Steve: Last night, I had a dream about sandwich pizza. Douxie: What? Steve: It was pizza with bread on the top and the bottom. Douxie: So a calzone? Steve: You can’t just name things I dream up.

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Police Officer: You have the right to remain silent. Toby: I choose to waive that right! Toby: *screaming*

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Jim: Strickler! I thought you were dead! Strickler: No, just in deep cover. Jim: ...But it was an open casket. Strickler: It was very deep.

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Aja: Live, laugh, love! Varvatos: Die, cry, hate.

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Krel, as a child, reading their school assignment out loud: I love my library because... Krel, mouthing words while writing: I love reading, fuck you.

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Toby: Just so everyone knows, don't ever try to climb a tree at night carrying a strobe light, owls DON'T like it. Blinky: ...what happened? Toby: I made a VERY bad mistake.

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Eli: Why don't humans have a specific noise that means "there are bees here, let's leave immediately." Why are elephants more advanced than us. Jim: We do have a specific noise for it. It sounds like this: Jim: "There are bees here, let's leave immediately."

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Eli: You call yourself my soulmate, but where were you when my meme only had four likes? Steve: Making four accounts. Eli, tearing up: Really...?

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Blinky: Are oranges named orange because oranges are orange or is orange called orange because oranges are orange? Aaarrrgghh: Which came first, the orange or the orange? Claire: Orange was first used to refer the fruit 1280 years ago but was not used as a color until 1000 years ago. Jim: What was the color called before then? Toby: There was no color, duh! Everything was black and white!

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Douxie as a child: I can’t wait to grow up and have cool adventures! Douxie now: I can’t wait to go to bed.

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Claire: *standing at the top of the stairs* What are y'all doing at the bottom of the staircase? Steve: I accidentally fell down. Zoe: ARCHIE PUSHED ME down the stairs because I refuse to pay THEIR part of our rent! Krel: Steve bet me fifty bucks that I couldn't reach the bottom of the stairs faster than they did falling down it, so I slide down the banister to get my money. Douxie: I don't know how I got here. One moment, I was sleeping in my bed, three floors up, and then suddenly I was waking up here, just in time to get crushed by Krel.