'Shin Godzilla' Review- The King Returns To Horror
This movie was released in 2016.
Shin Godzilla is part of the shared Toho Pictures film universe featuring darker remakes of some of their iconic characters. The film is directed by Shinji Higuchi and Hideaki Anno, who also wrote the script. The movie was brought to the United States by Funimation.
After the Japanese Coast Guard witnesses a strange creature attacking Tokyo Bay, the city is flooded and besieged by the monster who returns to the ocean. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Rando Yaguchi (Hiroki Hasegawa) is staving off the United Nations, who want to use nuclear missiles to stop the creature, which quickly becomes known as Godzilla. Special Envoy for the President of the United States Kayoco Anne Patterson (Satomi Ishihara) arrives and promises that America will help them with Godzilla.
However, the kaiju continues to evolve. He goes from swimming to bipedal and soon can walk upright, blasting a devasting energy wave from its mouth and fins. Desperate to save his country, Rando deals with government red tape as his team desperately tries to save Japan before it is too late.
Godzilla films always have a certain amount of campiness and cheesiness sprinkled into the plot. Not so with this one. This remake takes its kaiju or monster film very seriously. In a way, it is more realistic. As Godzilla is causing chaos and destruction, government officials have to sign paperwork and petitions in order to get resources to stop him. You joined in with the frustration as a viewer in watching it.
Likewise, this movie makes Godzilla terrifying. They kept his iconic roar and you felt it when the sound came over the speakers. The only thing I did not care for was the way Godzilla’s mouth would stretch before he blasted his atomic breath. I do not know why they did that, but outside of that, I enjoyed it.
The original Godzilla films felt more like horror movies than typical giant monster movies. This one does a good job of revisiting that aspect of lore for the King of the Monsters.
I was glad that Funimation brought it to the United States. I always loved Godzilla films and seeing this new grittier and darker take on the famous monster was pretty cool. You definitely felt the countdown as the UN threatened Japan with a nuclear attack if they did not get Godzilla under control. I was on the edge of my seat and thought it was well-made. I do hope they make a sequel or a crossover with the other “Shin” franchise entries.
Bottom line, Shin Godzilla is an excellent installment of the kaiju franchise. It is truly frightening to see Godzilla in a modern context from its original creators.
PARENTAL CONCERNS: Destructive violence, Some foul language
FAVORITE QUOTE: Man is more frightening than Godzilla.
Check out the trailer below:
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