The Next American Godzilla Movie Needs To Live Up To The Emotion Of Godzilla Minus One

Key Takeaways

• Monsterverse films have enjoyed high box office success but lack the emotional depth seen in the films of home studio Toho.
• Godzilla Minus One married real human drama with spectacle, reinforcing the kaiju’s symbolism.
• Even if the Monsterverse follows its Japanese inspiration and heads to space, the saga would benefit from bringing those themes down to Earth.

As a lifelong fan of the legendary Toho Kaiju series, I must say that while the American Monsterverse has certainly upped the ante in terms of visual spectacle and jaw-dropping effects, it seems to have lost sight of what made the original films truly special – the human connection.

In simple terms, the Monsterverse has become one of Hollywood’s most reliable collections of interconnected films, second only to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although there have been a few minor setbacks, it has rapidly grown to feature a highly anticipated clash between the destructive lizard Godzilla and the mighty ape Kong. These two titans, who have starred in the last two successful movies, have filled cinemas with their thrilling battles of epic proportions, stunning neon visuals, humor, and gripping storylines. Interestingly, Godzilla and Kong have been popular characters for nearly a century, so there’s still plenty of untold history to explore in the upcoming American films featuring these captivating creatures.

It’s worth noting that this observation applies particularly to Godzilla. The creators of the Monsterverse, Legendary Pictures, obtained the rights for the giant monster from Toho Co., Ltd., a Japanese entertainment company that first introduced him as a threat in 1954 and has continued to do so in over 30 films since then. Interestingly, Toho has produced two live-action Godzilla movies since the Monsterverse began, and their interpretations, especially the one scheduled for 2023 titled “Godzilla Minus One,” have underscored some elements that could be incorporated into the American series sooner rather than later.

Godzilla in the Monsterverse

The Monsterverse began with the release of Gareth Edwards’ film, Godzilla, in 2014. This modern interpretation of Godzilla was a sleek, ominous, and somber portrayal of the Titan for a contemporary audience. Fast-forward a decade, and this narrative has evolved significantly. In subsequent films like Godzilla versus Kong and Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, Godzilla solidified his reign as the monarch of monsters by teaming up with Kong to confront colossal Titan perils.

Throughout the series, the science-led organization Monarch has acted as human liaison to the Titans emerging across the planet. Its mission has also changed over the decade, as it’s increasingly served up charismatic leads for Lost World-style cinema-friendly action, such as Dan Stevens’ Trapper in The New Empire. That’s gone hand-in-hand with the franchise shifting from the real-world implications of the earlier films.

In the 2014 remake, Godzilla was given a fresh continuity, elevating him among powerful Titans who once roamed the Earth. However, it paid homage to the original amphibian monster’s first film by suggesting that the Titan was awakened in 1954, coinciding with the release of the first Godzilla movie. The updated version also linked an incident at a Japanese nuclear facility to the Titan’s reappearance and connected atomic tests from the 1950s to early attempts to annihilate the monster. However, the connections to a creature that powerfully symbolized the nuclear threat and global political shifts have been subtly downplayed or hidden.

The American “Godzilla” series consistently revolves around the theme of a radioactive beast wreaking havoc on various cities. In “The New Empire”, this destruction was seen in Rome, Cairo, and Rio de Janeiro. For the year 2023, it was fitting for “Godzilla Minus One”, as Toho and Legendary have an agreement not to release Godzilla films simultaneously, for the monster’s origin to be revisited.

Reiwa-Era Godzilla Has Taken Another Direction

After the 1998 film failed to spark sequels for Godzilla’s American franchise, Toho carefully crafted a different narrative continuity. The first movie in the Godzilla Reiwa era was Shin Godzilla (2016). This intricate and grand film, which straddles genres, presents a contemporary debut of Godzilla. Critics praised the 31st Godzilla film for its detailed portrayal of Godzilla’s evolutionary stages, as well as its blend of action, mystery, and satire, showcasing how various governmental, municipal, and military entities in Japan respond to an unexpected attack by Godzilla.

It’s interesting to note that Toho didn’t carry on with the same continuity, instead opting to put Shin Godzilla aside for a while and focus on anime movies. For Godzilla’s 70th anniversary, they restarted the storyline with a new live-action movie, where the monster was once again portrayed as a terrifying force of nature rather than an ally to humanity, which had been the norm during the Shōwa era (1954-1975). However, Godzilla Minus One took us back to the final days and aftermath of WW2, emphasizing the connection between the modern appearance of the monster and those turbulent mid-20th century years.

In Godzilla Minus One, Kōichi Shikishima, portrayed by Ryunosuke Kamiki, is the main character. He’s a former kamikaze pilot grappling with PTSD following his encounter with Godzilla at the end of the war. The movie charts his struggle to readjust to a society in ruins. His dishonor as a returning kamikaze is further complicated by the unintended family he takes on, consisting of a partner and baby.

Embarking on a mine-clearing vessel with an assorted team, the captain finds himself in a head-on clash with Godzilla when the beast attacks Tokyo. The film Godzilla Minus One wraps up with a gripping finale that artfully combines themes of integrity and restoration. By linking the monster back to the horrors of war, it underscores the symbolism of Godzilla as a reflection of Japan’s profound emotional scars. It offers an exhilarating and entertaining experience, skillfully integrating a deeply personal narrative with its stunning visual effects.

Godzilla Minus One, initially appreciated upon its release, garnered even greater acclaim when it became the first movie in the series to secure an Oscar – specifically, the Best Visual Effects award. This accolade was particularly noteworthy given that the film was believed to have been produced on a budget of less than $15 million. Conversely, Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, with a rumored production budget of $135 million, showcases a significantly higher financial investment.

The Monsterverse Needs To Rediscover Its Human Connection

In contrast to the Toho series, the American version focuses more on enhancing visual effects and decreasing emotional depth between characters. The films portray destruction of modern cities and historical sites such as the Pyramids, but they don’t delve deeply into the repercussions. Consistently, the narrative suggests that the havoc wreaked by Godzilla and his comrades, whether on Earth’s surface or beneath it, is preferable to the aftermath of their rivals, the Titans, emerging victorious.

In contrast to Godzilla Minus One, which focused on Shikishima’s emotional journey, the Monsterverse has shifted away from the protective father figure and grieving son portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the 2014 Godzilla movie. Instead, The New Empire introduces Dan Stevens as Trapper, a charming Titan vet who is part of the Monarch team with a focus on science and action. The primary emotional thread here revolves around the bond between orphan Jia, her adoptive mother Ilene Andrews, and Kong.

As a devoted fan, I’ve been captivated by how The Monarch portrays the Titans in the Monsterverse, elevating them to divine heights. This grandeur is thrilling, but it also sets them apart from any human repercussions. Over the past decade, these American films have been nothing short of phenomenal, each film grossing an average of $500 million worldwide at the box office. To keep this success going, they could bring things closer to home by infusing more emotional depth and social commentary, much like the movie Godzilla Minus One.

The upcoming Monsterverse Godzilla movie is scheduled for release in theaters on March 26, 2027. Previously director Adam Wingard was not set to direct another Godzilla-centric film, but he’s hinted that the next movie might adopt Godzilla’s point of view instead.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel excited about the possibilities that the latest film has opened up for the Hollow Earth universe, particularly with a beefed-up role for Kong and the reappearance of Mothra. The new focus on Godzilla, who’s now keeping watch over our planet, certainly hints at connections to the past. There are whispers that the next Godzilla-Kong team-up might involve facing off against the planet where Ghidorah was born or encountering other extraterrestrial threats from the Japanese series. However, it’s important to remember that our story doesn’t have to be about humanity stepping aside or neglecting meaningful social commentary. After all, the best tales always manage to pack a punch while exploring the complexities of our world.

Although Godzilla didn’t perform as well financially as other films in the Monsterverse, it made a point about Titans being an integral aspect of our planet’s ecological system, helping to counteract destruction caused by humans and extraterrestrial creatures. Regardless of where the franchise ventures next, the Monsterverse has the potential to bring things back down to Earth.

There are plenty of terrifying creatures in Godzilla’s past that could modernize the American franchise. One such creature is Biollante, a hybrid kaiju-plant that embodies contemporary issues like genetic manipulation. Another threat is Hedorah, an alien monster contaminated with pollution, which might be the next foe for Godzilla in the near future, reflecting current environmental concerns.

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2024-08-25 01:05