Shin Godzilla Re-Release (2025) Review

Title: Shin Godzilla
Year: 2025
Director(s): Higuchi & Anno
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese

Godzilla originated as a metaphor for the nuclear bomb America dropped on Japan during World War II. Mutated by nuclear waste dumped into the ocean and powered by nuclear fission, Shin Godzilla's King of all Monsters glows red just under his skin, making him an awe-inspiring sight even after he knocks out the Tokyo power grid. Unlike most other interpretations, this Godzilla evolves into different forms throughout the film; first as a harmless armless creature, and then into a force of nature that can shoot laser beams out of its back.

In Shin Godzilla something has surfaced in Tokyo Bay. As the Prime Minister of Japan pleads with the public to remain calm, a horrific creature of tremendous size makes landfall in the city, leaving death and destruction in its wake.

When it was initially released in 2016 I had a great time with Shin Godzilla. It was far better than the American 2014 version starring Bryan Cranston, as that one had very little actual Godzilla in it. However, I can't help but compare Shin Godzilla to the film that came after it; Godzilla Minus One. I was far more impressed with that version of Godzilla - and I also thought the human element made for an incredibly compelling story. Shin's story is a political satire about how bureaucracy fails us when we need them most, but it's VERY dialogue heavy and feels a bit cold. There are a lot of characters, but few I feel I connected with. 

That being said - it does a great job at showing how inept bureaucracy can be - I laughed when I noticed that a person's title had become so long it filled up the bottom of the screen. There is one scene - which is shown on many of the re-release posters- that is awe-inspiring. When Godzilla takes out the power grid, glows purple, and shoots out his fire breath I really felt impressed. This scene of destruction could be the best in the franchises' history. 

The end conflict is a little anti-climatic, and the dialogue heavy scenes go a bit too long, but I can see why Shin Godzilla has such a large audience wanting to see a sequel. I wouldn't mind this version of Godzilla coming back, but hopefully in a story with a more enticing human element.