I got a chance to see it in its limited run in America last week. I was blown away. Especially with the allusions to the tsunami. Godzilla's second form landing, for me, is one of the most horrific moments. As I watched the scene of it forcing its way through the streets, confused and agonized from his evolutions, it reminded me of footage from the tsunami. In fact, there are scenes of the fourth form traveling across the land that look directly inspired by the helicopter shots of the wave rolling across the lands. It's stunning. And like any unstoppable force from nature, there seems to be no motivation. Just a continued surging. There are some issues I have with the film, but the clever way they handled the mythos just makes up for them. I would love to see it again and I'm so glad I got a chance to see it on the big screen. How exciting it must be for you to have seen it in Japan. Pretty cool!
Hi Rob. I saw Shin Godzilla twice, which is the first time I ever saw the same movie at the theater. As the matter of fact, I saw Godzilla seriously at the first time because of you guys, RUclipsr! You are right. It was very serious and realistic movie with no super hero but serious but awkwardly struggling people with scary. But I have an one question that I never understood about your detailed comments about the movie. The first time, I understood only 50 %, then second time I think I understood 70%, but I learned a lot of new things from your review. Why you guys understood so much content of the movie even though it was showed in Japanese language. I am so ashamed that I don't remember and understand much less than foreigner Godzilla fan lol. Do you guys had story in English beforehand? I always wonder ....
To me, Godzilla being successfully frozen at the end didn't seem unnatural or out of place, I personally thought it was the most efficient way to end the movie. But I do understand the feeling of wanting to see more of Shin Godzilla himself, I felt it from beginning to end. I'm overall very satisfied with the ending of the film, since it leaves me with hope that there will be a sequel. Not sure what route they might take with a second movie. I for once feel this one was too short! There was so much more to the story before its commence and after its resolution. The only thing that worries me is the fact that I believe I heard the characters say that Godzilla had 20 days until his ultimate death, meaning that, to survive, Shin will have to find a way to de-freeze himself, which is where I think the humanoid creatures come in. It also ends the film with a heavy metaphor, one that teaches us that we humans are the ultimate destructive power. But if Shin made a comeback in humanoid form, then this would be a completely different kind of film! I love how much Shin Godzilla continues to feed the franchise even after the end of the movie. I'm very pleased and very excited with what comes next.
The anticlimactic end clearly comes from the Fukushima nuclear disaster. It is still a continuing problem, so it couldn't be solved in the movie. Complete solution was politically incorrect this time.
I have something that I want to say to you about the tip of the tail.This movie implies the mythology of Japan a lot.The protagonist gets rid of "yamatanoorochi"(a eight headed dragon-like monster).He uses strong alcoholic drink in order to make the monster drunk.This is "yashiorinosake".After he killed the monster,something comes out of the tail.You can google these words.I hope this could help you.
Thanks, jishaku38! Actually, I saw Shin Gojira twice when I was in Japan. I wanted to make sure I fully understood it before filming this review. And yes, I will be seeing the movie again in America when it screens here this month. Already got my tickets!
I thought the dialogue was the best part. If you cut the movie short, it would be terrible like “Warrior of the wind.” I recommend you see it in English sub or dub.
Really wished toho would have given a trilogy for it, rather than giving reboots after reboots like the Millenium series did. With the help of Shusuke Kaneko, I am sure it would have been a decent trilogy.
Very nice review, thank you! I think if you want to fully enjoy this film, you have to have very good Japanese listening skills (or maybe knowledge of Japanese political situation), for the human drama part is very important and that speaks the core theme of the film as well as the enigmatic existence of Godzilla himself. So, I really hope the film will be dubbed in proper English by good actors when it will hit screens all over the world.
How much screen time does Godzilla have in this film? I feel like I've seen a lot of the scenes from leaked footage but I'm hoping I haven't seen everything.
He gets more than 2014, but not by much. I only saw the first trailer, so I was pleasantly surprised by his amount of screen time. But if you've seen leaked footage, you may have seen some of his best scenes.
The way he is formed in this movie is similar to the formation of Destoroyah, yes. However, Shin Godzilla does not have the ability to shape shift back and forth between his different forms.
I absolutely despised Evangellion growing up. I always slammed and slandered that series with literally all the hate and critique I could. But at the same time, I could tell Anno had talent when I looked more into the series. Being a huge Godzilla fan since I was in onsies pajamas and poopin' my pants. It's fascinating to me what kind of life a director and writer from a series I dislike goes into a series I love and just breathes fresh takes and good ideas for it. Same happened with me and Kamen Rider Fourze when I found out it was Gurren Lagann's writer. Man I hated TTGL baby's first mecha anime. I'm so glad this film turned out better than I expected. I had few few hopes for this movie because of Anno alone. But his sense of terror and realism just *work* for Godzilla. However for the animated movie coming out written by Urobochi. Or should I say Urobotchi or Urobutcher. I have no hope for that movie at all. That man is a complete fraud and reuses too many ideas. I gave him a chance with Madoka, he blew it. He writes Kamen Rider Gaim? Absolutely destroyed a season of Kamen Rider for me. He took many good and promising characters and made them do so many 180s my head spun. Mad props to Anno for proving me wrong that he can give life to a series that I grew up with. edit: I'd like to argue that Final Wars Godzilla had a stronger breath due to him launching that meteor into oblivion away from Earth.
I do indeed! I collect both Bandai and X-Plus Godzillas. I'm planning on doing a video of my collection as well as individual reviews for some of the higher end figures.
I am still not a fan of Godzilla's new design; however, the Philippine trailer that was released has me pumped to see the dubbed version of the movie. I'm hoping that it will be screened at G-Fest next year--and maybe you could come to the convention, too!
It can turn into smaller Godzilla monster and colonise the entire planet, not to mention it could have wings. There is a scene with tail opening, and at the wnd it's hinted that some of those small Godzilla like lifeforms could escaped and the sequel will be released. I just saw the movie but unfortunatlie not in theater liked you.
At the time many of us went to Japan to see it, there were no confirmed plans to release it here yet. And even though we all assumed it would eventually get a limited US release, nothing in the world can replace the experience of traveling to Japan and seeing a Godzilla movie in the theater there. That was a priceless moment I wouldn't trade for anything.
I got a chance to see it in its limited run in America last week. I was blown away. Especially with the allusions to the tsunami. Godzilla's second form landing, for me, is one of the most horrific moments. As I watched the scene of it forcing its way through the streets, confused and agonized from his evolutions, it reminded me of footage from the tsunami. In fact, there are scenes of the fourth form traveling across the land that look directly inspired by the helicopter shots of the wave rolling across the lands. It's stunning. And like any unstoppable force from nature, there seems to be no motivation. Just a continued surging. There are some issues I have with the film, but the clever way they handled the mythos just makes up for them. I would love to see it again and I'm so glad I got a chance to see it on the big screen. How exciting it must be for you to have seen it in Japan. Pretty cool!
Yes! It was an amazing experience I wouldn't trade for anything!
Hi Rob. I saw Shin Godzilla twice, which is the first time I ever saw the same movie at the theater. As the matter of fact, I saw Godzilla seriously at the first time because of you guys, RUclipsr!
You are right. It was very serious and realistic movie with no super hero but serious but awkwardly struggling people with scary.
But I have an one question that I never understood about your detailed comments about the movie. The first time, I understood only 50 %, then second time I think I understood 70%, but I learned a lot of new things from your review. Why you guys understood so much content of the movie even though it was showed in Japanese language. I am so ashamed that I don't remember and understand much less than foreigner Godzilla fan lol. Do you guys had story in English beforehand? I always wonder ....
Great review!
Nice overview!
Has anyone talked about the gun sound effects? Jesus christ i felt every hit in this film. lol
This makes me really want to see the film. Love it KaijuRob!
Thank you!
Good review, and yup, subscribed!
Thank you!
To me, Godzilla being successfully frozen at the end didn't seem unnatural or out of place, I personally thought it was the most efficient way to end the movie. But I do understand the feeling of wanting to see more of Shin Godzilla himself, I felt it from beginning to end. I'm overall very satisfied with the ending of the film, since it leaves me with hope that there will be a sequel. Not sure what route they might take with a second movie. I for once feel this one was too short! There was so much more to the story before its commence and after its resolution. The only thing that worries me is the fact that I believe I heard the characters say that Godzilla had 20 days until his ultimate death, meaning that, to survive, Shin will have to find a way to de-freeze himself, which is where I think the humanoid creatures come in. It also ends the film with a heavy metaphor, one that teaches us that we humans are the ultimate destructive power. But if Shin made a comeback in humanoid form, then this would be a completely different kind of film! I love how much Shin Godzilla continues to feed the franchise even after the end of the movie. I'm very pleased and very excited with what comes next.
I subscribed. Keep making the Kaiju content.
Thank you! I've got lots of great videos on the way!
*double thumbs-up*
The anticlimactic end clearly comes from the Fukushima nuclear disaster. It is still a continuing problem, so it couldn't be solved in the movie. Complete solution was politically incorrect this time.
Thank you for your reply.And I'd like to add some words.Your pronunciation of "gojira"is very good.
Arigato gozaimasu!
shiro was the composer for bleach too no wonder one of the tracks in shin gojira sounds like the vasto lorde theme
I have something that I want to say to you about the tip of the tail.This movie implies the mythology of Japan a lot.The protagonist gets rid of "yamatanoorochi"(a eight headed dragon-like monster).He uses strong alcoholic drink in order to make the monster drunk.This is "yashiorinosake".After he killed the monster,something comes out of the tail.You can google these words.I hope this could help you.
good review!I can't believe that you have watched this movie only once.Anyway,are you going to watch the movie one more time in your country?
Thanks, jishaku38! Actually, I saw Shin Gojira twice when I was in Japan. I wanted to make sure I fully understood it before filming this review. And yes, I will be seeing the movie again in America when it screens here this month. Already got my tickets!
I thought the dialogue was the best part. If you cut the movie short, it would be terrible like “Warrior of the wind.” I recommend you see it in English sub or dub.
you earned a subscriber!
Thank you!
KaijuRob anytime mate :D
Really wished toho would have given a trilogy for it, rather than giving reboots after reboots like the Millenium series did. With the help of Shusuke Kaneko, I am sure it would have been a decent trilogy.
Wish you showed the Godzilla room, would have loved to have seen the room.
Click the link in the description for my tour of the Godzilla Room! :)
Very nice review, thank you!
I think if you want to fully enjoy this film, you have to have very good Japanese listening skills (or maybe knowledge of Japanese political situation), for the human drama part is very important and that speaks the core theme of the film as well as the enigmatic existence of Godzilla himself.
So, I really hope the film will be dubbed in proper English by good actors when it will hit screens all over the world.
Thank you very much!
Now that you mention the ending.
It IS Anno's work after all. His best and worst point if I may say. It seems that he really did as he likes.
How much screen time does Godzilla have in this film? I feel like I've seen a lot of the scenes from leaked footage but I'm hoping I haven't seen everything.
He gets more than 2014, but not by much. I only saw the first trailer, so I was pleasantly surprised by his amount of screen time. But if you've seen leaked footage, you may have seen some of his best scenes.
great meeting you tonite
Indeed! It was awesome meeting you all after the movie!
So this Godzilla is basically a Godzilla/Destoroyah hybrid?
The way he is formed in this movie is similar to the formation of Destoroyah, yes. However, Shin Godzilla does not have the ability to shape shift back and forth between his different forms.
I absolutely despised Evangellion growing up. I always slammed and slandered that series with literally all the hate and critique I could. But at the same time, I could tell Anno had talent when I looked more into the series.
Being a huge Godzilla fan since I was in onsies pajamas and poopin' my pants. It's fascinating to me what kind of life a director and writer from a series I dislike goes into a series I love and just breathes fresh takes and good ideas for it.
Same happened with me and Kamen Rider Fourze when I found out it was Gurren Lagann's writer.
Man I hated TTGL baby's first mecha anime.
I'm so glad this film turned out better than I expected. I had few few hopes for this movie because of Anno alone. But his sense of terror and realism just *work* for Godzilla.
However for the animated movie coming out written by Urobochi. Or should I say Urobotchi or Urobutcher.
I have no hope for that movie at all. That man is a complete fraud and reuses too many ideas. I gave him a chance with Madoka, he blew it. He writes Kamen Rider Gaim? Absolutely destroyed a season of Kamen Rider for me. He took many good and promising characters and made them do so many 180s my head spun.
Mad props to Anno for proving me wrong that he can give life to a series that I grew up with.
edit: I'd like to argue that Final Wars Godzilla had a stronger breath due to him launching that meteor into oblivion away from Earth.
So jealous!!!
do you have a godzilla figure collecton
I do indeed! I collect both Bandai and X-Plus Godzillas. I'm planning on doing a video of my collection as well as individual reviews for some of the higher end figures.
I am still not a fan of Godzilla's new design; however, the Philippine trailer that was released has me pumped to see the dubbed version of the movie. I'm hoping that it will be screened at G-Fest next year--and maybe you could come to the convention, too!
What is G fest next year? Scott? Where will it be held?
G-Fest will be held in Chicago, July 13 - 16, 2017. (www.g-fan.com)
It can turn into smaller Godzilla monster and colonise the entire planet, not to mention it could have wings. There is a scene with tail opening, and at the wnd it's hinted that some of those small Godzilla like lifeforms could escaped and the sequel will be released. I just saw the movie but unfortunatlie not in theater liked you.
IT'S OUT TODAY!!!!!!!!
Yep! Can't wait to see it again!
+KaijuRob I wish there was a sequel to Tokyo sos.
シンゴジラ気に入った？
I was really dissapointed with this movie. Barely any godzilla and no characters.
you known you could have watch it in USA
At the time many of us went to Japan to see it, there were no confirmed plans to release it here yet. And even though we all assumed it would eventually get a limited US release, nothing in the world can replace the experience of traveling to Japan and seeing a Godzilla movie in the theater there. That was a priceless moment I wouldn't trade for anything.