“Shin Ultraman” wouldn't be the first time filmmakers Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi reimagined a popular tokusatsu character. A few years prior, they gave audiences “Shin Godzilla,” an alternate title for the feature being “Godzilla Resurgence.” It is a film that is not only an entertaining monster flick but a suspenseful political thriller with clever commentary. Also reinstated are the themes of the original “Godzilla” directed by Ishiro Honda on the horrors of nuclear warfare. In conjunction with that is satire inspired by the Japanese government's poor handling of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.
Japan is thrust into panic and chaos when a giant creature appears and starts causing destruction. The beast is referred to as Godzilla, and it is constantly evolving. The government works to prevent further catastrophe while overcoming bureaucratic red tape. The story is simple but engaging, balancing humor while still being a dark metaphorical piece. The feature is nihilistic, especially with the idea of living with an ongoing threat, eerily relevant with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The movie also reminds the audience of the horrors of nuclear weaponry. Yet, there is hope, especially with the idea of promoting a hopeful younger generation and people putting their biases aside to come together and help one another in a crisis. Of course, it helps that the human cast is full of personality, brought to life by terrific performances from talents such as Hiroki Hasegawa, Satomi Ishihara, Yutaka Takenouchi, Mikako Ichikawa, and the late actor Ren Osugi. Fans of cinema will also get a kick out of the appearance of many popular filmmakers, such as Shinya Tsukamoto and Kazuo Hara. Also deserving of praise is Mansai Nomura, who plays Godzilla via motion capture.
The iconic King of the Monsters is reimagined as a terrifying force of nature and a sad creature, merely acting on survival instincts. One sequence in the middle of the picture is horrifying and spectacular, demonstrating Godzilla's unimaginable power. It helps that “Shin Godzilla” is a well-made film with superb special effects, outstanding action sequences, and beautiful cinematography. The terrific editing also enhances the suspense with all the chaos taking place. The use of classic music tracks composed by Akira Ifukube is great and certainly adds a nice nostalgic element, while the new original music by Shiro Sagisu is also terrific. Long-time fans of the franchise will also appreciate subtle Easter eggs sprinkled throughout and nods to some of Anno and Higuchi's cinematic influences, including that of their favorite filmmaker Kihachi Okamoto. His anti-war thriller “Japan's Longest Day” was a huge source of inspiration for the two directors when making this movie. A posthumous photograph of Okamoto is even used for the character of Goro Maki, a mysterious figure with major significance to the narrative.
“Shin Godzilla” is a fantastic film and one that even viewers who aren't fans of giant-monster movies can appreciate. It is a cleverly written satire on flawed government practices amid a crisis while also showcasing mesmerizing spectacle. The depiction of Godzilla is outlandish yet wonderfully unique and retains the anti-war ideas the character represented in Ishiro Honda's 1954 classic. Adding to that, the feature is a great introduction for newcomers to the franchise. Familiarity with Japanese culture and politics will perhaps enhance the viewing experience regarding the subject matter, yet once that is in mind, those watching are rewarded with a film that is entertaining and thought-provoking.
