Shin Godzilla One Year Anniversary

Currently my favourite Godzilla movie.

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While I don't think I would put this film in my top five favorite Godzilla films. I was very happy that I saw this movie.

Can't believe it's been a year already. Still my third favorite Godzilla movie and first Japanese Godzilla movie I've seen in theaters.

I loved this movie. I can't wait for Tuesday. I want it so badly. I can't believe it's only been a year.

I hate Shin Godzilla, it's essentially a Japanese version of Godzilla 1998 that is made by Toho.

I absolutely loved Shin Gojira, as of now its my 2nd favorite Godzilla film after Gojira(1954), & I can't to get my hands on the Blu-ray release. Also Fingers Crossed for NECA to make a Giant Shin Gojira figure in the future.

I had a blast with Shin Godzilla, I saw it twice when it got the limited release here in the US. It's definitely a different take on The King of the Monsters. Some people will say that it's Godzilla 1998 all over again, but in my opinion where Godzilla 1998 took away classic attributes of Godzilla, Shin added onto preexisting attributes, like the back and tail lasers. For some this was too much and it stopped being classic Godzilla. It's a fair argument, I just happen not to agree. Like in the movie, Godzilla as a franchise must evolve to survive, and hell why not go crazy with lasers? 

I've always giggled at the complaints over the beams from his spines. Because Godzilla's never gone nuts with lasers and lights exploding from his body before....

Like you said The Legend of Brian, adding to preexisting attributes.

I'm surprised people were upset in the first place. G. H. (Gman), lasers rock. But you're correct there was a precedent to it and it makes sense. Also I'm not sure how to tag a user on here.

I've heard that some people were actually mad that Godzilla's atomic breath was changed to purple.

 ^They were when it was changed orange in 1999 too. Everyone got over it. Besides, it helps set it apart from Legendary's series which is wise.

I like how the atomic breath started out as mist and slowly compressed into a fine beam. It's like the orange atomic breath from Godzilla 2000 like Gman said. Toho decided to go a different route to be original. Speaking of which I just got the email saying my copy has shipped. 

Exactly. Honestly I use to think the purple atomic breath was an odd design choice, but I got use to it real quick.

Happy one year anniversary to my 2nd favorite Godzilla film and what I consider the best Godzilla film since the 1954 original. 

I'm glad Toho took risks and got such incredible talent involved with the making of this film. While the film does drag a bit in the latter half of the film, it's easy to get caught up in the action altogether when watching this film. Like GMK, it addresses for Japan to become a stronger nation like what Gman pointed out in his article a few months ago. 

There were so many references to the 54 original film While also providing some 84 in the mix. I love this film. Sure, people are going to say GINO 2.0, but they're misguided. Hell, the 54 original press material and Shin have a lot more in common than what meets the eye. They're both animals that either already evolved, or was able to evolve. 

Even if this is a stand alone film, I am so happy they made it, and that I was able to watch it in theaters for the limited run here in the states. I can only hope that Toho eventually makes more live action films in the near future. I'm going to give the anime Godzilla a chance, but, I sincerely hope that Toho goes back to tokusatsu as it is their tradition and their art form. While I do like the CGI in Shin Godzilla, I would have loved to have seen it in practical effects, although the CGI was rough in a lot of parts earlier on in the film, it got better as the film progressed and the CGI was convincing at some points where you would think it was a animatronic puppet. 

Wait aren't all animals evolved? The one thing of many things I hated about Shin Godzilla was it can evolve like a damn virus. Evolution doesn't work that way, Hideki Anno! Shin Godzilla was less of a Godzilla more like Neon Genesis Evangelion Angel and the ending was very reminiscent to this with Shin Godzilla about to start Third Impact!

Also, I hated how they couldn't even bother to hire a Japanese American to play as a Japanese American!

Also, I hate that they still make America the enemy even though we are allies. Well, frienemies. 

Hard to believe it's been a year. I don't know how I'd rate this one, but I know I really enjoyed it. I have some problems with it but overall a fun ride, can't wait to pick up a copy at some point.

Shin Godzilla is easily within my top three Godzilla films. During the film's production my hope was that we would be given a film with a dynamic story and riveting narrative. I also wanted to see a film that had a contemporary look and feel, a semi-documentary atmosphere, as if we were looking at a series of events just as they were unfolding. I wasn't that familiar with the work of Hideaki Anno, so I really didn't now what to expect, which turned out to be a good thing. Along with all of this, I wanted a film that was evocative of the 1954 original masterpiece in terms of atmosphere, story, visuals and meaning. When the designs started to be leaked, especially the 'teaser' poster in December 2014, I began to feel that we were on the cusp of something remarkable, a unique experience in the Series. When the first trailer was released on April 2016, a sense of relief came over me. Prior to this, there had been rumors and reports about the state of production, including major changes with regard to techniques used. That beautiful trailer was a joy to behold. I saw in it the potential for a serious, landmark film that would reach and resonate with non-fans well beyond the 'niche' of kaiju eiga and other tokasatsu films. In these forums I expressed a hope that the narrative of Shin Godzilla would be as compelling and important as the special and visual effects. The second trailer, released around July 19th, unfolding against the stirring themes of Shiro Sagisu, strengthened my hope for that great, truly great film Godzilla, a film that would be memorable and beautiful. 

Shin Godzilla has fulfilled all of my hopes; it's everything I have wanted to see and, just as importantly, experience in a Godzilla film. I have found in Team Yaguchi a group of characters that not only hold my attention, but earn my respect and admiration. Hideaki Anno, through the use of those almost jarring close ups, transports you from being an observer to being an actual participant in the meetings that punctuate the film's urgent narrative. It is this involvement that in many ways sets Shin Godzilla apart from many other films in the Series. It is not only meaningful, but it involves you and makes you part of its journey. I found myself unable to stop thinking about it and wanting to see it during that amazing theatrical run. 

Shin Godzilla is a great, seminal film that is contemporary and topical, while being traditional and carrier of homages at the same time. 

Well said Jamaal.

G.H. (Gman):

I clicked on the link in your article about Shin Godzilla's themes and re-read your excellent article about the comparison between it and Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack in terms of their themes, especially regarding Japanese nationalism. So, because of you, I'm going to have to watch GMK again this weekend.

These are great times.

And, only 600 days until Godzilla:King of the Monsters.