In the world of monster movies, Godzilla holds a special place. From its early Japanese origins to its recent Hollywood adaptations, the giant kaiju has captivated audiences for decades. Now, with the upcoming release of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, fans are eagerly anticipating the clash of these iconic monsters. But before we delve into that, let's take a moment to explore a recent Japanese telling of the Godzilla story that has drawn praise from both critics and audiences alike.
Godzilla Minus One, directed by Adam Wingard, is a 2023 Japanese film that stands separate from the Hollywood MonsterVerse franchise. In an interview with Empire, Wingard himself left a glowing review of the film, calling it 'one of the best Godzilla movies' he's ever seen. This endorsement is no small feat, considering Wingard's involvement in the highly anticipated Godzilla x Kong. He also highlighted the stark differences between the two films, explaining that each offers distinct perspectives on the iconic monster.
Wingard's Godzilla x Kong follows the Showa pattern of the late '60s and '70s, portraying Godzilla as the hero character. On the other hand, Godzilla Minus One takes a metaphorical approach, as the monster's reactions mirror the struggles of the human characters. The tonal differences between the two films are striking, granting audiences a multifaceted understanding of Godzilla like never before. Wingard described the experience as 'super-cool,' and it's clear that the film resonated with him on a profound level.
And Wingard's positive review is not an outlier. Godzilla Minus One experienced tremendous success both domestically in Japan and internationally, raking in over $106 million worldwide. Critics and audiences alike were enamored with the film, earning it an impressive 98% on Rotten Tomatoes for both the critics' and audience scores. The film's artistic merit was further showcased by the release of Godzilla Minus One Minus Color, a black-and-white version that received its own theatrical run.
This success could potentially pose a challenge for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. While the two films exist in separate universes, the critical acclaim that Godzilla Minus One received sets a high bar for any subsequent Godzilla-related content. Wingard's previous film, Godzilla vs. Kong, received decent reviews with a score of 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, but it has yet to reach the level of acclaim achieved by its Japanese counterpart.
However, there is a silver lining. Godzilla Minus One's success could serve to increase brand awareness for the kaiju monster. With the film released just a few months prior to Godzilla x Kong, audiences will have either seen it or come across ads for it. Even though they belong to different franchises, the recognition of the 'godzilla' name could pique interest and potentially elevate the box office performance of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
As fans eagerly await the release of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on March 29, the praise surrounding Godzilla Minus One acts as an interesting precursor. It highlights the enduring appeal of Godzilla and the diverse interpretations that can be explored within this iconic cinematic universe. Whether you're a fan of the Hollywood MonsterVerse or appreciate the creative storytelling of Japanese cinema, there's no denying that both films offer their own unique take on one of the most famous monsters of all time.
