The sequel to The Amazing Colossal Man, which has never been on DVD due to rights issues. I saw that one on TNT's Monster Vision years ago. I think I may have seen this one, too. If not on TNT, I may have seen it on MST3K. I may have also seen Earth vs. the Spider and Village of the Giants on MST3K, too - they loved Bert I. Gordon. It's funny that all three of these films have such low ratings (none are above 3.0), because, while they aren't good films, they are nowhere near that bad. They're pretty typical B movies. War of the Colossal Beast actually has a pretty emotional core, and the film's final moments are quite touching. It also has a fantastic opening sequence (Gordon really seems to know how to open his movies - all three of these start off beautifully). We don't see the Colossal Beast, just a truck driver driving full speed, frequently looking behind him and screaming. Dean Parkin is quite good as the title character, who has become a near-mindless monster, half his face torn off, after being nearly killed and falling off Hoover Damn in the first film. Like most B movies, the plot is pretty lean, and there are long stretches when nothing's really happening. There's also a nearly ten minute stretch which I think is just footage from the previous film.

War of the Colossal Beat continues the story of Col. Glenn Manning that began in The Amazing Colossal Man. I'm not really sure why Mr. B.I.G. felt the need to do a sequel (Who am I kidding? He saw an opportunity to make some money.) as there's really nothing new to cover. It's the same basic premise with the same low budget special effects and similar bad acting. Add a few plot details concerning Manning terrorizing the Mexican countryside and you've got War of the Colossal Beast. And that's the biggest problem I have with the movie. The whole thing has that "been there, don't that" feel to it.

Still, if you're a fan of this kind of stuff like I am, there are moments to enjoy. For example, Manning's first appearance always catches me off-guard. I jump every time I watch the movie. Second, and it may seem silly, but I get a real kick out of the scene where Manning picks up the truck to eat the bread out of the back. Too funny! Finally, I do like the ending. The added color is a very nice touch.

Crazed and disfigured giant Colonel Glenn Manning (brawny behemoth Dean Parkin sporting pretty grotesque make-up) terrorizes as a small town. Manning gets captured by the army, but manages to escape and embark on a rampage in Los Angeles. Director Bert I. Gordon, working from a compact script by George Worthing Yates, relates the engrossing story at a brisk pace, creates and sustains a pleasingly spooky and mysterious atmosphere for the opening third of the picture, maintains a serious tone throughout, and gives the movie an earnest quality that's both appealing and enjoyable in equal measure. The solid acting from a capable cast helps a lot, with especially stand-out contributions by Sally Fraser as Manning's concerned sister Joyce, Roger Page as the stalwart Major Mark Baird, Russ Bender as the dedicated Dr. Carmichael, and George Becwar as the hot-tempered John Swanson. The special effects ain't so hot, but they do nonetheless possess a certain endearingly hokey charm. The scenes with Manning running amok and wreaking havoc are quite lively and exciting. Moreover, the tormented Manning makes for a genuinely pitiable monster; the unavoidable sad and tragic ending is truly poignant and memorable. A fun flick.