It is in fact possible for the categories "movies that appeal to children" and "movies that are genuinely good" to exist in the same space - not universally, but in one measure or another, it is possible. However, one does not achieve that state by condescending and underestimating the intelligence of children, or by sacrificing judicious, nuanced, meaningful, carefully considered writing and storytelling. One definitely does not achieve that state by embracing silliness for its own sake as intended entertainment, or by mixing silliness for its own sake in with earnest plot. To one extent or another these have been the issues that plagued Daiei's Gamera franchise with each installment from 1967 onward, in titles that centered children as protagonists with the premise of "Gamera is a friend to all children." Have filmmaker Yuasa Noriaki, screenwriter Takahashi Niisan, or Daiei learned anything heading into 1970's 'Gamera vs. Jiger?'
The same jaunty theme song, including lyrics sung by children. The same focus on kids, with a tendency toward "gee whiz!" vibes fit for sitcoms and lighthearted television fare like 'Flipper' or 'Leave it to Beaver.' The same creature designs, for both Gamera and newcomer Jiger, that at once range from "hey, that looks pretty great" to "you're kidding me, right?" The same oversimplified plot, with our children protagonists having outrageously great insights; leading the way for military or scientist figures; and having an extra super special bond with Gamera, to the point that he listens to their suggestions. The same issue of decent story ideas being treated poorly, and the same mix of earnest potential rendered with questionable creative decisions. Yes, this flick is very much kith and kin with its predecessors, and no, no one has learned much of anything.
Some of the practical effects look fantastic, including models and miniatures, fires and explosions, and general destruction; the beasts themselves are a mixed bag, however, and so are their battles, including a moment in the last stretch that very much raises a skeptical eyebrow. I guess aspects like the production design and art direction are decent enough, and the sound effects, and Kikuchi Shinsuke's music. On the other hand, the audio is imbalanced, I find Miyazaki Yoshiyuki's editing to be brusque and sloppy - heedlessly chopping up much of the proceedings - and Takahashi's writing feels extra shaky and unconvincing. The ideas are there, and they're sort of cohesive, but he plainly struggled to shape them into a form that holds water.
Plenty of celebrated classics have been made that put kids at the forefront in genre-laden tales of adventure. Any that have earned such esteem are much more well made than this, and more attentively crafted. In every substantive regard the picture is sadly flimsy and unexciting, and there's even some slow pacing at times, making eighty-three minutes feel longer than they are. Yuasa's direction leaves a bit to be desired, including even how some shots were composed; the stunts, effects, and action that should be the centerpiece don't leave much of a mark, and the human side of the saga is no better. I rather wonder if the best thing this has going for it is the sympathy that Gamera and Jiger elicit as they each face their own respective difficulties as the narrative progresses, and I don't think it speaks well to a would-be romp that the highlight is a bit of dreariness. I guess I'm glad for those who get more out of 'Gamera vs. Jiger' than I do, but to me it comes across as a middling mess that has a hard time holding itself together. We technically get what we came for in the first place, but seeing as how we can get much more of that value in other works that are far more worthwhile, I don't think think I can give this an especial recommendation.
