Steve Wang’s 1994 sequel The Guyver 2: Dark Hero has a markedly different vibe from the 1991 original, which was directed by Screaming Mad George. While the first film embraced camp, juvenile humor, and a decidedly lighter tone, the follow-up takes itself much more seriously. As a result, Dark Hero feels considerably closer to its manga and anime source material. Even The Guyver himself, Sean Barker, was recast, with David Hayter taking over the role originally played by Jack Armstrong.
Set one year after the events of the first film, Sean is still struggling to come to terms with his identity as The Guyver. The alien unit he has bonded with kills anyone Sean fights, but he has no desire to take a life—even when he believes his opponent may deserve it. His recurring nightmares and visions eventually lead him to an archaeological dig in the Utah mountains, where he befriends Cori Edwards (Kathy Christopherson), the daughter of the site’s lead archaeologist.
Sean believes the answers he is searching for can be found within the caves at the excavation site. What he doesn’t realize is that the Cronos Corporation, which he believed he destroyed in Los Angeles, is actually a global operation—and the company is secretly funding the dig. So, naturally, when the archaeologists uncover an extraterrestrial spacecraft buried within the caves, Cronos moves in to seize whatever secrets it contains.
Dark Hero delivers plenty of monster mayhem, just like its predecessor, but the action is a significant step up. The fight choreography is more impressive, particularly when it comes to The Guyver himself. There is only so much you can do with performers in big rubber monster suits, but Wang makes the most of what he has, delivering some genuinely entertaining and well-staged battles.
While I have always enjoyed the original film, Dark Hero benefits from giving us more of the mythology behind The Guyver and the origins of the armor. The more serious approach also works in the film’s favor, and Hayter ultimately feels better suited to the role of Sean Barker than Armstrong did in the original.
This release gives fans two different presentations of Dark Hero. Disc One features the Original Version of the film, while Disc Two includes an Enhanced Version featuring AI upscaling and additional special effects. After watching both, I have to admit that the Enhanced Version is the one I would choose. I understand the concerns some fans have regarding the use of AI, but from a purely visual standpoint, the Enhanced Version is a noticeable improvement.
The Enhanced Version also includes a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which is not available on the Original Version. Those watching Disc One will have to settle for the original 2.0 audio.
The Guyver 2: Dark Hero is an interesting choice for new label Toy Robot Video to launch with, but it is also a welcome one. Fans of the film have plenty to appreciate here, and the inclusion of two different versions makes this an especially worthwhile release. If you’re a fan of The Guyver, this is definitely one to add to your collection.
Bonus Materials:
- Three new audio commentaries including one with director Steve Wang
- NEW interviews with producer / director Steve Wang, actors David Hayter & Kathy Christopherson, screenwriter Nathan Long, composer Les Claypool III and other members of the cast and crew
- Behind-the-Scenes footage from the original shoot
- Archival Making of Guyer: Dark Hero
- Trailers
- Photo Galleries including sketches
