The King of the Monsters returns before the year is out. We’re not talking about the Legendary effort coming to Apple TV. This is the original.
Godzilla. And according to the poster, we’re getting him in IMAX.
We’d gotten a teaser a few months ago, but the trailer Toho released today gives us a clearer picture. Written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, Godzilla Minus One looks to be a straight-up remake of the original 1954 film Gojira, including the time period. It focuses on Japan in the aftermath of World War II, the people both wrestling with their responsibility in a devastating world war and the horror of how it ended.
Atomic testing in the Pacific has awakened something that should have stayed sleeping. And if your vision of Toho’s kaiju movies is whimsical, revisit that first one. Despite now primitive effects, it has truly chilling moments. That may be the meaning of the title — Yamazaki wants to step back from the monster you think you know, whether it be the ruler of Monster Island or the American Dadbodzilla. It’s back to basics, being basically terrifying.
Are you ready to go big?
Godzilla Minus One opens in the US on December 1, 2023. He’ll be worth the wait.
