Audio: The audio is also the same as the previous version. The film’s original Japanese language track, and ADV’s English dub, are presented in 5.1. Both sound very good. All of the dialogue, music, and sound effects are well reproduced.

The English dubbing, however, is a step down from Gamera: GOTU. While the voices and lip-synch are okay, the dialogue includes many flippant phrases and one-liners. This cheapens the film, as it makes this serious sci-fi drama seem campy. Stick with the subtitled Japanese version. Grade: A-

Extras / Menus: Once again, ADV went all-out with the extras. Except for the “Outtakes,” “Lake Texarkana Gamera,” and some of the ADV trailers, the extras are presented in Japanese with optional English subtitles. First up is a 32-minute interview with Shinji Higuchi, the film’s director of special effects. This is actually only one part of a very extensive interview. (The first part is on the Gamera: GOTU DVD, and the final installment is included on Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris.) The interview is conducted by Hirokatsu Kihara, a writer and former production manager for Studio Ghibli. The interview covers all three films in the series, and ADV thoughtfully prefaces it with a spoiler warning. The main topics covered are the staging of explosions and filming the monster suits effectively. Higuchi also talks about staying consistent with such Gamera traditions as the great turtle’s appetite for flames and penchant for getting violently skewered by other monsters. Like the first installment, this part of the interview is very informative. It’s also fun to watch, due to the inclusion of many film clips (including alternate takes), and the friendly rapport between the two men.

Two press conferences are included. The first one was held to announce the production of G2. It includes statements by Shusuke Kaneko and two of the film’s actors. It ends with a photo-op staged for the press with the Gamera and Legion costumes, and a brief look at the participants eating backstage afterwards. The second one was held in Sapporo, where the film begins. The director and several of the actors comment on how the abundance of snow in the area both hindered and helped the production. The two press conferences run back-to-back for a total of 7 minutes.

The “Japanese Theatrical Trailer Collection” includes 6 trailers. The first one is an early teaser, consisting entirely of footage from Gamera: GOTU. Four of them use the odd promotional title Gamera 2: The Real Guardian of the Universe (spoken in English). The trailers run for 6 minutes. There is also a collection of 10 Japanese TV spots. They run for 2 minutes.

Next comes a 3-minute montage of behind-the-scenes footage, set to the song “Gamera Always Wins.” There is 5 minutes of footage from three “Gamera Promotional Events.” These are exhibitions that are held around Japan. First up is a look at workers setting up miniature sets, monster suits, and movie props for “Gamera 2 Special Effects Studio.” The next segment shows patrons (mostly kids) enjoying the “Gamera World” exhibit. The final one is the “Great Gamera Exhibit.” This show seems to include more merchandise and memorabilia such as posters and models. It also includes fan art and children getting their pictures taken with both Gamera and Gyaos.

Also included is footage of the film’s opening day in Japanese theaters. The film’s premiere is preceded by onstage appearances by Shusuke Kaneko, Shinji Higuchi, and several actors. This clip runs for 4 minutes.

While all of these extras are taken from the region 2 Japanese DVDs, there are two comedic additions produced by ADV themselves. “Outtakes” runs 4 minutes. It consists of film clips with (mildly) humorous dubbing. Next up is the one major difference between this disc and the old one: “Lake Texarkana Gamera” has been expanded from a short diversion to a feature-length alternate audio track. Now you can watch the entire movie with redneck dubbing! It’s actually pretty funny. Give it a listen and see if it’s your can of beer. Yee-ha!

Finally, there are the requisite ADV previews. This batch includes Zone of the Enders: Dolores, The Princess Blade, Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda Season 1, Farscape Season 3, RahXephon, and Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris. Unfortunately, the G3 promo again makes light of the film. Why ADV does this is unknown. There’s nothing in the Gamera clip that looks any more silly or cheesy than the Andromeda or Farscape clips, which are played straight.

There is also a promo for The Anime Network that plays when the disc first starts up. Most of the menus are still images with background music. The chapter select and ADV preview screens have animated film clips in the selection windows. Grade: A-

Final Analysis: The only significant difference between this “limited” G2 disc and the previous version is the expanded “Lake Texarkana Gamera.” Overall good presentation of the movie and a solid batch of supplements make this disc a winner. Highly recommended for all kaiju fans. Final Grade: A-