A Classic Godzilla for the Modern Age
Being a Godzilla fan in this day and age is definitely interesting. On one hand, Legendary Pictures is trying to create the MonsterVerse by drawing inspiration from the mid to late Shōwa era. On the other, Toho has been taking a different approach by taking the King of the Monsters back to his roots, using him as an allegory for the political issues of Japan.
Godzilla Minus One is a true return to the franchise roots in every way possible. At the same time, it tells a story that could not be told back in the 1950’s. In doing so it showcases the human toll of warfare as represented through Godzilla, highlighting the horrors brought on by nuclear weapons and the story of a nation rebuilding itself from the ground up while at the crossroads of a much larger event.
At its core, Godzilla Minus One is a reimagining of the original 1954 film, with numerous moments that are callbacks to the first film cleverly woven into the story. The movie has also learned from its predecessor in the realm of special effects, showcasing a mastery in the use of effects to breathe life into the iconic legend. It avoids excessive reliance on technology to showcase its star and treats the atomic breath as a moment of grandeur.
The film has strong emphasis on the human conditions of post-war Japan and the human price of war, reimagining the 1954 film with a focus on the critiques of Japan’s role in WWII. While the focus is on the need to take a stand to defend their homeland, it also criticizes the wartime government and its indifference to the human suffering they have caused.
Anyone going into Godzilla Minus One should be aware that it is not a generic kaiju film and requires an understanding of Japan’s politics, particularly the political landscape from the pre-war years up until the early Cold War along with how it reckoned with its wartime conduct.
Overall, Godzilla Minus One is a true return to the franchise roots that reimagines the original film with a strong emphasis on the human conditions of post-war Japan and the human price of war. It is definitely a treat for fans, dropping a few nods to the classics along the way.
