Hi Little Monsters
Went to see the new Godzilla film yesterday, and it didn't disappoint.
To celebrate the 70th birthday of the Big G, Toho studios have decided to bring back their most famous monster.
It has nothing to do with the Hollywood Monsterverse, which in itself is great. This movie takes us back to another origin story for Godzilla. Instead of a man in a costume, they have used CGI. Although I don't think all of Godzilla's time on screen is CGI. But it looks stunning non the less. Plus it has a much lower budget than the American version.
Set at the end of World War 2 in 1945, it follows disgraced Kamikaze pilot Shikishima, who has landed on an island full of mechanics pretending his plane is malfunctioning.
They are attacked by a T-tex type monster the island inhabitants call Godzilla. It is much smaller than usual. Shikishima has the chance to kill Godzilla but freezes. It leaves him and one mechanic alive.
A year later he has returned home. His parents have died in the war and there are a lot of homeless including a woman with a baby who he reluctantly takes in.
In the meantime Godzilla is mutated and enlarged by nuclear tests in the ocean nearby. Godzilla then attacks the mainland, whereby a group of people including Shikishima vow to stop him.
Overall - this is the first film I've watched in a cinema with subtitles. I really enjoyed it and they didn't distract from the action and drama. The subtitles and dialogue were done really well. I've seen some films with subtitles where you can't tell which characters are talking and when.
The story, although simple was well done. It was a redemption, love, revenge and monster story all in one. The pacing of the story flowed well also.
It also hit on a human level as Shikishima goes through PTSD and survivors guilt. At first he seems an arsehole, as well as a coward. Although as the story progresses and he falls for the woman he takes in and gets protective of the young child. This helps his character turn around.
It even had me tear up, when the young girl was asking for her mother, after she "dies".
The action is great, and special effects are spot on for a low budget. My only gripe is that Godzilla isn't on screen enough. This is probably because in the Hollywood films he is on screen a lot.
I couldn't fault any of the actors either especially the leads.
It even felt like Jaws in some scenes as Shikishima and his friends on a minesweeper boat look for Godzilla. There is some great banter between them and suspense.
Spoilers - it also sets up a sequel at the end of the film or possibly it moves into the original Godzilla timeline.
I hope they do a sequel, as it was a serious and quite realistic take on the monster movie, and way better than some of the Godzilla films where he starts dancing and has a son.
Score 9/10
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