The old dinosaurs still have good days ahead of them and Godzilla Minus One by Takashi Yamazaki demonstrates it! The Japanese monster has continued to sow chaos since 1954, but it is still capable of delivering great surprises. Next to $95 million at the international box office prove that it still has potential, including in France where it will be released for two weeks after a first appearance in cinemas on December 7 and 8.
” THE previous Godzilla, Shin Godzilla, was not released in theaters in France, explains to 20 minutes Caspar Nadaud, creator and CEO of Piece of Magic Entertainment who distributes Minus One. We therefore had no reference on the potential success of Godzilla Minus One and we chose an event release with certain screenings in Imax or 4DX. » The dinosaur then attracted 17,000 French spectators in two days in 60 theaters (including the preview at PIFF and the festival Kinotayo) which will allow it to return from January 17 to 30 in a combination of 300 theaters.
Why so much love?
“We received so many requests from fans who hadn’t been able to see it that we agreed with the Toho, a firm which has held the rights to Godzilla since its creation, to rectify the situation. We had clearly not measured the scale of the French fan base and its passion for the phenomenon. » It must be noted that the film is a success. The action takes place in 1947 where a former suicide bomber confronts the monster to exorcise a traumatic warlike past. The result is both touching and astonishing in its visual and sound qualities.
But what can be so appealing about this oversized lizard that devours megacities like aperitif cakes? The recent series Monarch, Legacy of Monsters, broadcast on Apple TV+, gave it a facelift on the small screen, Adam Wingard will put it back in the spotlight Hollywood style in Godzilla x Kong, the New Kingdom which will be released next April. “He’s a star who has managed to evolve with the times,” insists Caspar Nadaud. It modernized at the same time as cinema. » From the man in a monster costume who trampled models of Tokyo like a Casimir on acid to ultimate visual effects, Godzilla has changed his look over the years.
98% satisfaction
“The spectacular side of the film makes the difference and also the love story in a historical context,” explains Caspar, “It’s really much more qualitative than the previous film. The reactions are excellent and we are already talking about quotes at the Oscars…” Godzilla Minus One garners an exceptional 98% satisfaction score from both critics and spectators on the site Rotten Tomatoes. “This release will be the main release and we have no plans to extend it,” insists Caspar Nadaud, who plans to show the film in many French cities. We must therefore not waste time to discover it on the big screen.