Just saw this movie
I'm spending a summer in Japan, and I just managed to catch this movie right before it ends its run in theaters (tomorrow).
It was truly awesome. Now, I haven't seen the second and third Heisei Gamera films (it's high on my to-do list), but I can say that this movie will not dissapoint.
Some hard data:
*****SPOILERS*****
-Gyaos appears in a flashback at the beginning, and an adult Gamera saves an island town from several of them by sacrificing himself in a fiery blaze.
-The main lead kid finds Gamera as a baby on a small island (he names him "Toto").
-The enemy monster, as most of you know, is named Jidas. He is extremely dinosaur-like, much more so than most Kaiju. His powers include everything you might expect from a large, carnivorous dinosar, as well as an extendable tongue (which he uses as a spear/projectile).
-The fight scenes are INCREDIBLE. The special effects rival any of the recent Godzilla movies.
-Gamera's signature roar has unfortunately been replaced by a different one, which seems to be the same as the original King Kong.
-The main character kid is likeable and not annoying. The same goes for all the rest of the characters.
-Gamera lives through the movie, and as the lead kid ends the movie with "sayonara. Gamera." I can see how a sequel might be made. Cross your fingers!
*****end spoilers*****
In short, if and when this movie gets released stateside, watch it. Godzilla may be taking a sabbatical, but Gamera can certainly fill his shoes.