Haven't seen minus color yet but this looks freaking amazing Overall between minus one and shin this is a golden age of japanese goji, I'm fine with every film being a first appearance as long as they're this good
I finally saw this and my thoughts are this. Noriko surviving may not be realistic, but I think it still feels earned from a storytelling standpoint. The whole film Shikishima believes the spirits of the dead can't forgive him for surviving, but then Tachibana absolves him of that sin by giving him a way to do his sworn duty and still live. So if you believe the karmic implications of events, it's almost like Noriko surviving is karma's way of rewarding Shikishima for overcoming his fear and carrying out his role. Beyond this, I also just thought this was a great human story, and I think it's painfully obvious why the American Godzilla films struggle on that end. The original Godzilla was a walking metaphor for Japan's struggles and tragedies, and this film takes that subject and runs with it, giving everything weight and emotional tone. Godzilla is the backdrop for the human drama. American Godzilla films are just largely about Godzilla as a spectacle, with humans as the backdrop for Godzilla's fights, which is why they end up feeling hollow. I actually still haven't seen Gareth Edwards' Godzilla, which I imagine to be the exception. KOTM I guess tried to do something with the whole environmental angle, but half-assed it by making it about eco-terrorists.
It’s a shame that the Gareth Edwards Godzilla hasn’t been re-released to theaters. The optimal way to see it.
I guess I didn't realize but Noriko was infected with G-cells and that's possibly how she survived? Are we going to get a sequel with Godzilla people?
as time goes on and more and more of these US movies come out, I hold Gareth Edwards' Godzilla in higher and higher regard but the last time I rewatched it I could barely see anything at all during the final battle. I went on YouTube afterwards and watched as much as I could of the end of the movie lightened up a bit and it was an incredible experience. so many things went on during those scenes that I had no idea I would say the 2014 one is the only US Godzilla movie that even comes remotely close to holding a candle to this movie as an actual, good movie, but Minus One is definitely far superior
I put 2014 at the level of Shin and Minus One overall and in certain categories higher. Gareth Edwards is the king of vibes, and nails the atmosphere, sort of like Dennis Villeneuve. For example 2014 is great at stoking the imagination with the use of smoke and dust etc, making your mind fill in the gaps better than any CGI. I'll put it on sometimes just as the cinematic equivalent of comfort food. Also the human element is fine. Unlike KOTM where you just hate everybody. Or these last two where it's just mindless garbage
I mainly agree with everything you say here, but something that happened for me with Minus One that I don't think Gareth Edwards' film quite achieves, was that I was equally as enthralled with the human element as I was with Godzilla. the opening with Bryan Cranston and his wife gets the closest, and like you said the human element is fine, but I would never willingly sit thru a movie about Aaron Taylor Johnson's soldier & his wife Elizabeth Olsen the nurse. I would absolutely watch a movie about these characters and their struggles after the horrors of what they had just experienced and lived thru
Agree human element of Minus One is the best. A bit predictable but very consistent and well delivered. You get excited with the characters, you actually root for them.
Minus One is much, much better than 2014. The close-up action and visual darkness of that film ruins much of the Godzilla-centric stuff.
Watched this last night and damn do I love this. Might be the best godzilla movie I've seen. The human story is fulfilling and they managed to make godzilla intimidating as hell with maybe my favorite take on his atomic breath I've seen.
Gonna holdout and see if we get a Criterion release. If I want to watch -1/-C, both will be available online.
I’ve heard rumors about a combination Heisei/Millenium set, and obviously Criterion Channel is playing some of the Heisei era now so I assume they’ve secured the rights. Has there been any more news/leaks since then? Heisei era is definitely my favorite, so I can’t wait to see what they do for a set. Also, I revisited Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla for the first time in probably 10+ years last weekend. Forgot how solid that movie is.
i'm assuming Criterion might have more to say come Monday, given that they announce new releases around the 15th (which is coincidentally my birthday, so here's hoping there are some good announcements)