Dec 13, 2023·edited Dec 13, 2023Liked by Alexander Hellene
While I haven't seen it yet, I am a Godzilla fan and the series' batting average remains one of the more impressive runs in film history. I'm hesitant to believe it can best Honda's 1954 original because the original "Gojira" transcended the atomic-monster craze it ramped up by being a genuine, harrowing piece of drama that has stood the test of time.
I do have faith that it's worth it though. "Shin Godzilla" was a startlingly good showing from Hideaki Anno, and it's clear that this modern era of Godzilla film from Toho is more interested in serious explorations of the monster and what it means in relation to Japan, its history, and the world today.
The series is curious in that you'll have a brilliantly serious film like a "Return of Godzilla," and then the wild monster-v-monster action the series became famous for. It's a series where there is something for everyone creatively and conceptually; a series for all seasons. They don't call him the King for nothing.
I have heard that Shin Godzilla was really good. I’ll have to watch that one.
You’re right that the series is remarkably consistent and popular. Everybody loves Godzilla. There’s something about the monster that sticks. It’s not just the design or the concept. I think it’s because he was the original and that counts for something. It doesn’t help that they nailed it out of the park from the get go. In light of that, it’s impossible not to compare all subsequent kaiju to Godzilla.
There's a weird kawaii factor to Godzilla; he's cute when he's not stomping Tokyo. Big boy just needs a hug.
I love the late 1970s Marvel Godzilla series where they try to plug him into the Marvel Universe with mixed results.
"One arc featured Godzilla being shrunk by Pym Particles; this was inspired by Moench's fond memories of a fight scene between a miniaturised man and a spider in science fiction movie The Incredible Shrinking Man, and his desire to devise a way [Dum Dum] Dugan and Godzilla could fight directly."
That fight in The Incredible Shrinking Man left a huge impact on me when I was a kid too. That, and the old Thief of Baghdad movie (I think that’s the one).
You’re right that there is a cutesy element to Godzilla. I sure didn’t see it in this movie though!
Yes; this is an excellent movie in general, not just an excellent Godzilla movie. And here’s an interesting fact: it not only feels like a remake of the 1954 Godzilla, it even subverts the ending of that film in the best possible way. This is a rare example of a remake done right, and one that maintains the themes that made the original great.
I only went to see this because of other reviews. I’m a medium-sized fan of Godzilla but not a fanatic, but I love genre movies done right, and brother this is one of them. Shockingly emotional movie. So good.
One of the interesting things about Hollyweird's focus on perversion is that it appears that they are compelled to focus on it the more they indulge in it. Almost like drug addicts. Meth-Writers, Dope-Directors, Pill-Producers, Acid-Actors -- and I'm not certain they aren't self-medicating as much as indoctrinating.
Re: the Film Itself. Gotta see this. Just too much good word on the street.
You’re right about Hollywood. They are incapable of pulling back. Some of it is artistic, because you’re always trying to create something no one has seen before. But there’s also a hugely political and moral dimension, pushing certain things to influence people’s thoughts and behavior.
This sounds fantastic. Will definitely check it out. It's no surprise that with the rejection of their own culture the pervs that run Hollywood can't write a good screenplay to save their lives anymore. Long before the woke/feminist nonsense took over we started to lose good writing - it's like they have no sense of what makes a story compelling. I tried to watch that Road Warrior reboot with Charlize Theron and it was just a way too long ridiculous music video. Totally vapid.
The Japanese have different sensibilities, I guess, and they seem straight out of a different time. At least Takashi Yamazaki does, I guess. But the movie did great over there too, so he clearly hit on something.
It’s really an excellent movie qua movie. The monster stuff is just icing on the cake. It’s a deconstruction in a sense only in that it looks at what it would be like if a giant monster appeared in the real world and people reacted realistically. Great stuff.
It has been some time since I have watched a Godzilla movie, been discouraged by the bad Hollywood Godzilla movies, but this one sounds really interesting.
I have to admit that I have a soft spot for the "dumb" Godzilla movies where the people in rubber suits beat the crap out of each other, Godzilla vs Megalon (1973) being my favourite. They somehow get below the threshold where a movie is so bad that it becomes good again.
We have a cable TV channel, which showed one of the old movies every Sunday afternoon for quite a while. As a kid, it was a mandatory date in my calendar.
Regarding the German version of Godzilla vs Megalon, they somehow screwed up the name of the giant robot Jet Jaguar assisting Godzilla in beating up the bad monsters. Jet Jaguar is already a pretty ridiculous name, but in the German version they call him "King Kong"...WTF?
Godzilla Minus One is one of the best Godzilla films, an excellent human drama independent of the big man himself, and my personal favorite film of the year.
"it is inspired by and harkens back to antiquity, to the great works, to religious text, to the canon"
This may be entirely apocryphal -- my head is full of garbage that I read on the Internet and elsewhere which I can't now accurately source -- but allegedly, a drooling fanboy once asked Alan Moore what his Big Secret was; how did he become the best comic book writer of his generation? Moore replied that he read other books that weren't comic books. I love genre trash as much as the next nerd, but this rings true.
This sounds like a good watch; I'll have to check it out. Thanks.
Well, Alan Moore, if he said it, is absolutely right. I’m a genre fan too, but the good stuff that got me into it is more than just tropes from a checklist.
You should see this movie. It’s well worth the $20 or however much movie tickets go for in your local municipal area.
I finally got around watching this two weeks back, and I'm glad I did. I loved it so much that it made me start watching the other Godzilla movies on Amazon Prime.
So far, this one remains to be my favorite.
To be honest, I don't know if I would rate the original all that high. I get what they're going for and I like it in theory, but it didn't age well in my opinion. The same goes for the immediate sequel where it was mostly serious and Godzilla was straight up antagonistic. I actually enjoyed more the pulpy 60s/70s Godzilla movies where it's just straight up action - even the human stories have action, such as an assassination plot of a foreign princess or whatever.
I’m glad you liked Godzilla Minus One! It was probably one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time, certainly the best I saw in 2023. I fully plan on snagging the DVD and watching it again when it becomes available.
I’ll take your word on the 60s/70s movies. I haven’t seen them in so long I cannot make any informed comment on them.
Finally able to watch it in the theater tonight. Absolutely blown away! Yes, I agree, the human drama takes center stage. In some ways, it really borrows from Moby Dick: Godzilla is very much an incarnation of Shikishima's frustration and guilt. Yes, I did tear up at a couple of scenes, and the feeling of fear was very real! Solid film, 10/10. Highly recommend!
Glad you liked it! The Moby Dick analogy is perfect and I can’t believe I didn’t make that connection earlier. They made the battle between Shikishima and Godzilla PERSONAL, which is no small feat, and that really elevated the movie.
While I haven't seen it yet, I am a Godzilla fan and the series' batting average remains one of the more impressive runs in film history. I'm hesitant to believe it can best Honda's 1954 original because the original "Gojira" transcended the atomic-monster craze it ramped up by being a genuine, harrowing piece of drama that has stood the test of time.
I do have faith that it's worth it though. "Shin Godzilla" was a startlingly good showing from Hideaki Anno, and it's clear that this modern era of Godzilla film from Toho is more interested in serious explorations of the monster and what it means in relation to Japan, its history, and the world today.
The series is curious in that you'll have a brilliantly serious film like a "Return of Godzilla," and then the wild monster-v-monster action the series became famous for. It's a series where there is something for everyone creatively and conceptually; a series for all seasons. They don't call him the King for nothing.
Hail to the King!
I have heard that Shin Godzilla was really good. I’ll have to watch that one.
You’re right that the series is remarkably consistent and popular. Everybody loves Godzilla. There’s something about the monster that sticks. It’s not just the design or the concept. I think it’s because he was the original and that counts for something. It doesn’t help that they nailed it out of the park from the get go. In light of that, it’s impossible not to compare all subsequent kaiju to Godzilla.
There's a weird kawaii factor to Godzilla; he's cute when he's not stomping Tokyo. Big boy just needs a hug.
I love the late 1970s Marvel Godzilla series where they try to plug him into the Marvel Universe with mixed results.
"One arc featured Godzilla being shrunk by Pym Particles; this was inspired by Moench's fond memories of a fight scene between a miniaturised man and a spider in science fiction movie The Incredible Shrinking Man, and his desire to devise a way [Dum Dum] Dugan and Godzilla could fight directly."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla,_King_of_the_Monsters_(comic_book)
That fight in The Incredible Shrinking Man left a huge impact on me when I was a kid too. That, and the old Thief of Baghdad movie (I think that’s the one).
You’re right that there is a cutesy element to Godzilla. I sure didn’t see it in this movie though!
Yes; this is an excellent movie in general, not just an excellent Godzilla movie. And here’s an interesting fact: it not only feels like a remake of the 1954 Godzilla, it even subverts the ending of that film in the best possible way. This is a rare example of a remake done right, and one that maintains the themes that made the original great.
I’d rather they make more movies like this as opposed to a sequel.
Same here. A good, thoughtful genre picture doesn’t have to be nihilistic.
I didn't plan to watch this movie, but seeing your review has changed my mind, alright I'll check it out if only out of love for Japan.
I only went to see this because of other reviews. I’m a medium-sized fan of Godzilla but not a fanatic, but I love genre movies done right, and brother this is one of them. Shockingly emotional movie. So good.
I'll confess I HATE Godzilla and don't see the point, but your review was enough to make me curious. If it is as good as you say, I'll give it a try.
Never been a Godzilla fan but I want to see this just because of your review.
I really think you’d like this one.
One of the interesting things about Hollyweird's focus on perversion is that it appears that they are compelled to focus on it the more they indulge in it. Almost like drug addicts. Meth-Writers, Dope-Directors, Pill-Producers, Acid-Actors -- and I'm not certain they aren't self-medicating as much as indoctrinating.
Re: the Film Itself. Gotta see this. Just too much good word on the street.
Yes it actually lives up to the hype.
You’re right about Hollywood. They are incapable of pulling back. Some of it is artistic, because you’re always trying to create something no one has seen before. But there’s also a hugely political and moral dimension, pushing certain things to influence people’s thoughts and behavior.
This sounds fantastic. Will definitely check it out. It's no surprise that with the rejection of their own culture the pervs that run Hollywood can't write a good screenplay to save their lives anymore. Long before the woke/feminist nonsense took over we started to lose good writing - it's like they have no sense of what makes a story compelling. I tried to watch that Road Warrior reboot with Charlize Theron and it was just a way too long ridiculous music video. Totally vapid.
The Japanese have different sensibilities, I guess, and they seem straight out of a different time. At least Takashi Yamazaki does, I guess. But the movie did great over there too, so he clearly hit on something.
It’s really an excellent movie qua movie. The monster stuff is just icing on the cake. It’s a deconstruction in a sense only in that it looks at what it would be like if a giant monster appeared in the real world and people reacted realistically. Great stuff.
It has been some time since I have watched a Godzilla movie, been discouraged by the bad Hollywood Godzilla movies, but this one sounds really interesting.
I have to admit that I have a soft spot for the "dumb" Godzilla movies where the people in rubber suits beat the crap out of each other, Godzilla vs Megalon (1973) being my favourite. They somehow get below the threshold where a movie is so bad that it becomes good again.
Those old movies are great! You nailed it by saying they’re so bad they’re good. It’s part of the charm. And they’re fun!
We have a cable TV channel, which showed one of the old movies every Sunday afternoon for quite a while. As a kid, it was a mandatory date in my calendar.
Regarding the German version of Godzilla vs Megalon, they somehow screwed up the name of the giant robot Jet Jaguar assisting Godzilla in beating up the bad monsters. Jet Jaguar is already a pretty ridiculous name, but in the German version they call him "King Kong"...WTF?
That is amazing! The original King Kong vs. Godzilla!
Great review, and I couldn't agree more.
Godzilla Minus One is one of the best Godzilla films, an excellent human drama independent of the big man himself, and my personal favorite film of the year.
It’s amazing how good this movie was. It could’ve worked without a giant monster.
"it is inspired by and harkens back to antiquity, to the great works, to religious text, to the canon"
This may be entirely apocryphal -- my head is full of garbage that I read on the Internet and elsewhere which I can't now accurately source -- but allegedly, a drooling fanboy once asked Alan Moore what his Big Secret was; how did he become the best comic book writer of his generation? Moore replied that he read other books that weren't comic books. I love genre trash as much as the next nerd, but this rings true.
This sounds like a good watch; I'll have to check it out. Thanks.
Well, Alan Moore, if he said it, is absolutely right. I’m a genre fan too, but the good stuff that got me into it is more than just tropes from a checklist.
You should see this movie. It’s well worth the $20 or however much movie tickets go for in your local municipal area.
I finally got around watching this two weeks back, and I'm glad I did. I loved it so much that it made me start watching the other Godzilla movies on Amazon Prime.
So far, this one remains to be my favorite.
To be honest, I don't know if I would rate the original all that high. I get what they're going for and I like it in theory, but it didn't age well in my opinion. The same goes for the immediate sequel where it was mostly serious and Godzilla was straight up antagonistic. I actually enjoyed more the pulpy 60s/70s Godzilla movies where it's just straight up action - even the human stories have action, such as an assassination plot of a foreign princess or whatever.
I’m glad you liked Godzilla Minus One! It was probably one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time, certainly the best I saw in 2023. I fully plan on snagging the DVD and watching it again when it becomes available.
I’ll take your word on the 60s/70s movies. I haven’t seen them in so long I cannot make any informed comment on them.
Finally able to watch it in the theater tonight. Absolutely blown away! Yes, I agree, the human drama takes center stage. In some ways, it really borrows from Moby Dick: Godzilla is very much an incarnation of Shikishima's frustration and guilt. Yes, I did tear up at a couple of scenes, and the feeling of fear was very real! Solid film, 10/10. Highly recommend!
Glad you liked it! The Moby Dick analogy is perfect and I can’t believe I didn’t make that connection earlier. They made the battle between Shikishima and Godzilla PERSONAL, which is no small feat, and that really elevated the movie.
Hollywood needs a creative recharge, as Godzilla's success shows. Good article! (Love how you included the Belvedere Apollo!).