Geekscape Movie Review: ‘Godzilla Resurgence,’ (Shin Godzilla)
‘Godzilla Resurgence’ has finally tromped it’s way across the ocean from Japan and enters US theaters this Friday for a seven day engagement after opening this past summer in Japan.
The film’s original title “Shin Gojira” got a US name change that implies a sequel but is actually a reboot. Resurgence, as meaning to bring back something popular. The film title has changed several times but the takeaway is that “Shin” means God in Japanese, and Gojira means God too.
As Godzilla makes landfall you can’t help but think that this is some sort of version to the real life event of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami that decimated a large portion of Japan. The film goes to great length to show how officials respond to the disaster of Godzilla and plays a large part in the film.
In this new storyline, Godzilla is making his very first appearance arriving in Japan. He is the only monster featured in the film and the aspects of the original “Godzilla” are still there. He’s big, radioactive, and trounces the heck out of everything. There is a new aspect incorporated into this story that plays into Godzilla’s new gargantuan like size and that’s his ability to mutate. They’ve revamped his origin and even added some very cool abilities that fans will enjoy.
When Godzilla makes his first appearance in the film and comes ashore there’s this initial, less dangerous version of Godzilla. I was confused thinking this was a monster for Godzilla to fight? The creature’s got these googley eyes like a fish, and is not the giant you’d expect. However he still tears things up pretty good with cars flying everywhere and people running willie-nillie.
Being a Japanese film, the tone is more true to the original movies that came out of Japan and not the US versions. There may be a small disconnect from fans of the US Godzilla movies, vs a fan of Godzilla’s original versions. This is the 29th movie featuring Godzilla, and this film is a reboot.
Initially, this version was confusing for me. I was wondering what did they do to Godzilla? It soon becomes apparent that Godzilla has the ability to mutate rapidly, and since he’s no longer living in the deep feeding off of radioactivity he changes to meet his survival needs. You will see those needs as he’s attacked and some new abilities that are insanely cool.
The more equates to the biggest aspect of the monster to date. He towers over Tokyo easily trouncing the biggest skyscrapers. He’s so powerful in fact, that there’s a lot of time spent showing the Japanese struggling to decide how to attack him: And then when they do… and it doesn’t work, they spend an inordinate amount of time deciding if they should call on the US for help. This was a unique experience in a film seeing how the US is reflected upon by modern Japanese. It’s a film obviously, so not sure how accurate it portrays their view of the US, but it was novel and interesting. Also, you may note that there really aren’t any women featured except for one out of probably 50 men. I kept wondering if there are any women in positions of power in Japan as art often a reflection of real life.
If you want to see Godzilla in his modern and giant magnificence you’ll need to be on the look out as he’s playing in just 440 theaters from October 11 to 18, thanks to Funmation Studios and Toho Studios that made it possible for him to play in the US.
Lover’s of Godzilla will find a lot to enjoy in this Japanese rendition that pulls mostly from the original incarnation including his Atomic Breath. Aspects that made many fans of the giant monster are still there including bits of the original music and sound effects. However, the insane amount of time spent showing how the Japanese government responds to his arrival and who is responsible for making the decisions is just wearisome. If you are ok with 1/3 Godzilla beating the absolute crud out of Tokyo, and 2/3 spent devoting to whom is responsible, and trying to keep the masses calm then you will enjoy.
3 out of 5
