Godzilla hits middle age but is still fueled by Japan’s anxieties

[yuiyoshida]

King of the monsters: Godzilla received a special award for his role in helping tourism in Shinjuku after a model of the monster's head was erected in Tokyo's Kabukicho district. | KYODO

Within one month of its July release, Toho’s “Shin Gojira” (“Godzilla Resurgence”) attracted more than 3.6 million viewers. Box-office takings are already estimated to have surpassed ¥5.3 billion, putting the film more than halfway toward the seldom-attained figure of ¥10 billion. Toho has great expectations it will eclipse the success of “Bayside Shakedown,” the film spinoff of Fuji TV’s series, and reestablish the “King of the Monsters” as the top domestic film earner.

That’s all pretty impressive, considering this is the 29th Godzilla film produced by Toho since its smashing debut 62 years ago. What’s more, the series’ basic plot is so simple, it can be digested into a 17-syllable haiku, thus:

Godzilla attacks

Japanese scream and panic

Please pass the popcorn

With this new release, the local media has enjoyed pointing out various examples of “Godzilla trivia,” such as the significance of the number 29: “Shin Gojira” was released on July 29, the Friday marking the start of the summer vacation season; it is Toho’s 29th Godzilla film; and 1954, the year of Godzilla’s debut, happened to be the 29th year of the Showa Era (1926-’89).

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http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/09/10/national/media-national/godzilla-hits-middle-age-still-fueled-japans-anxieties/

[trueblue2007]

1. there are some channels we get that show old sci fi and godzilla movies.

there are some channels we get that show old sci fi and godzilla movies. they are called REELZ, COMET & ELREY.

[GOLGO 13]

2. New Godzilla is always good Godzilla.

Cant wait for him to meet King Kong...again.

[Wounded Bear]

3. I imagine Fukushima had something to do with it...

As the only victim of atomic attack, the Japanese are understandably a bit sensitive about anything atomic/radioactive. Since Gojira was traditionally a mutant based on the atomic testing in the Pacific IIRC, it's kind of a natural monster for them to fear.

[yuiyoshida]

4. Scared me as a KID!

[Wounded Bear]

5. Yeah...

Those old ones are almost comical from a special effects standpoint.

But I remember them rather fondly.

[yuiyoshida]

6. What impressed me most about the first Godzilla...

It was in black and white, and you couldn't always see the monster clearly, so most of what you saw, that you couldn't see, you made up in your head, which made it more terrifying. But hey, i love the big fella now, he's great! Classic!

[AllenVanAllen]

7. the 1954 Gojira is my favorite Godzilla film...it's unlike all the rest

but i LOVE that 'Shin Godzilla' follows so close to the heart of the original. i have my tickets reserved for opening day October 11th. i can't wait!!

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