Need an excuse to watch something cult and kickass this week? Japanese SVOD brand Samurai VS Ninja is now free-streaming Guyver: Dark Hero as of the weekend, starring David Hayter, Kathy Cristopherson, Bruno Patrick and Christopher Michael.
Following the Steve Wang/Screaming Mad George-directed 1991 adaptation based on Yoshiki Takaya’s hit manga, Wang takes the helm for his solo outing, playing heavily on his strengths from his passion for kung fu and wuxia cinema. The Kung Fu Rascals helmer is joined by action steward Koichi Sakamoto and his team, which is mostly comprised of screenfighting talents who would become the foundation for Alpha Stunts for years and many projects to come.
Hayter stars from a script by Nathan long which sees the stoic Sean Barker, a year following his climatic battle with Kronos Corporation. Journeying to an acheological campsite where he believes there is an alien ship, Barker uncovers dark machinations at hand while discovering the truth of the history behind the symbotic weapon that transforms him into the deadly titular alien hunter. Hayter’s on-screen suit double as the Guyver was performed by Anthony Houk, who also worked on Clarence Fok’s Dragon From Russia.
Wang is also best known for directing Drive, one of the most memorable action adventure thrillers of all time, starring Mark Dacascos and Kadeem Hardison. Youtube’s Samurai VS Ninja channel is also home to Sakamoto’s latest subscription release, Shogun’s Ninja, as well as a library of contemporary and classic jidaigeki and chanbara films and serial dramas.
I was actually looking forward to this one getting the same disc treatment Unearthed Films gave to the first film. That disc has some serious meat to it and I would love it if Wang’s sequel got a proper phys-media upgrade. At any rate, if you’re into the suit action goods and feeling nostalgic, take a few hours with Guyver: Dark Hero, and mind your viewing environment beforehand!
Lead image: New Line Cinema