Godzilla’s Triumphant Return

I had the good fortune of going to Japan recently, during the week of the launch of the brand-new Godzilla film: Shin Godzilla (inconsistently called Godzilla: Resurgence in America). Keep in mind, this short impressions is based on a very limited understanding of the Japanese language. This movie had a lot of technical terms in relation to military and government that I just couldn’t understand at all. In order to commemorate Godzilla’s return, I got to see the film in the Toho Cinema in Shinjuku, a really nice theater that I can recommend if you are in the area.
 
Now if you’re familiar with Godzilla at all, you know that originally it was a bit more than just a monster movie. It had some political undertones involving the abuse of nuclear weapons and the effect it can have on our surroundings. Since then, the franchise has turned into a very straightforward monster movie franchise that usually involves Godzilla fighting against other huge monsters or humans in fun action-flicks. The recent Hollywood release of the franchise went more to the roots focusing more on the human element, and how people’s lives and relationships would be affected by a monster attack.

Following in this mentality, Shin Godzilla is a sort of return to form of what Godzilla was originally intended to be. The movie kicks off with some scenes showing this odd creature appearing in Tokyo’s bay, which slowly evolves over the course of the film. Most of the movie takes place in meeting rooms, with the occasional scene showing Godzilla’s progression or subsequent carnage. The movie seemed to revolve around how the government would react to a crisis (in the form of a monster attack): how they will deal with evacuating citizens; how they will investigate and research the target; how they will deduce the best method to take it down with the least amount of collateral damage. I really enjoyed this concept, because it’s a huge juxtaposition against what the recent American film focused on (which I enjoyed as well). Don’t get me wrong, when Godzilla does have his moment of wanton destruction, it’s epic. In fact, his new atomic breath was a sight to behold. It sent shivers down my spine when it happened, and we even saw that ability evolve through the course of the movie to become an absolutely obnoxiously powerful force that managed to destroy a good amount of Tokyo.
 
To no surprise though, this approach to storytelling in a franchise that has established itself as a fun action-packed monster franchise will very likely put off some long-term Godzilla fans. I have no doubt that they’ll go back to the same tried and true formula that the franchise is known for, but I must admit that this change of pace and somewhat thought-provoking approach to the concept of Japan’s most famous monster was a very welcome change.

That being said, you won’t have to wait too long to be able to see the movie in English, since it’ll be showing in select theaters in the States in October for a limited run, which will surely be followed by a home release. Tickets go on sale September 9th. Keep an eye on the English site for how to get tickets. If I enjoyed the movie with my limited understanding, I have now doubt I’ll enjoy it even more when I see it again in October. Stay tuned!
 
- Teepu

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Japanese Site: http://www.shin-godzilla.jp/index.html
English Site: http://www.funimationfilms.com/movie/shingodzilla/

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