In the world of cinematic monsters, few loom as large as Godzilla. The fire-breathing lizard has been stomping cities and battling rival kaiju for a staggering 70 years, and shows no signs of slowing down. Now, one of the big guy’s best outings is back in theaters with a monochromatic twist – Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color.
A Fresh Take on a Familiar Face
While Godzilla has undergone countless reinventions over the decades, from the campy to the gravely serious, there’s something uniquely striking about seeing the monster in black and white. The monochrome palette lends the creature a certain timeless quality, emphasizing his sheer scale and presence.
As it turns out, the lack of color is particularly flattering to this iteration of Godzilla. The high-contrast shadows accentuate every craggy detail of his iconic design, while the glint in his eye feels somehow more mischievous and alive. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of this magnificent monster that even stripped of color, he loses none of his power to captivate and thrill audiences.
An Unlikely Hero
Of course, it’s not just the monster that benefits from the black and white treatment. Godzilla Minus One is notable for its intriguingly ambiguous human protagonist, Kōichi Shikishima, portrayed with quiet intensity by Ryunosuke Kamiki.
When we first meet Kōichi, he’s a World War II pilot faking mechanical trouble to avoid a kamikaze mission – hardly the stuff of traditional heroes. And when Godzilla attacks shortly after, Kōichi’s first instinct is to save his own skin rather than nobly sacrifice himself. It’s a characterization that feels refreshingly modern, a far cry from the square-jawed, unflinching heroes that populate so many vintage monster movies.
There is something novel about seeing a second world war pilot who doesn’t want to fight rendered in black and white. The leading man in such movies normally is the straight arrow with an excess of bravery, on whom we can count to save the day.
– Movie Critic
In glorious monochrome, Kōichi’s moral grayness takes on an added dimension. We’re used to seeing this type of flawed, relatable character in full color, but rendered in stark blacks, whites, and shades of gray, his struggle feels both classic and intriguingly subversive. It’s a small yet potent subversion of monster movie tropes, and just one of the ways Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color breathes new life into the familiar.
Eternal Style, Eternal Thrills
Ultimately, the black and white re-release serves as a potent reminder of the eternal truths of giant monster movies:
- Godzilla is an absolute icon, in any color or lack thereof
- Watching a skyscraper-sized lizard wreak havoc never gets old
- A little visual novelty can make the familiar feel thrillingly fresh
Whether you’re a diehard Godzilla fan eager to see the king of the monsters in a new light, or a curious newcomer wondering what the fuss is about, Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color is a kaiju-sized treat. So grab some popcorn, find a seat, and prepare to be reminded why, after 70 years and counting, we’re all still powerless to resist Godzilla’s charms. Long may he stomp.
Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color stomps into UK cinemas from 1 November.
