Entertainment

Godzilla Minus One set for black-and-white theatrical re-release as homage to 1954 original

Ayaan PaulDecember 20, 2023 | 17:29 IST

In a nod to the golden era of Toho movies, Godzilla Minus One is making a grand return to the silver screen, swapping its vibrant palette for a timeless black-and-white ensemble, a impeccable choice that pays homage to the 1954 classic.

What

The announcement was made on the social media platform X, accompanied by a teaser trailer showcasing Godzilla Minus One in its monochromatic glory. Toho revealed that this reimagined release, titled Godzilla-1.0/C (Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color), will premiere in Japanese theatres on January 12, 2024.

Moviegoers attending the Japanese screenings will receive a limited edition "70th Anniversary Original Art Board" featuring both Japanese and North American visuals, adding a collectible element to the experience, with only 300,000 available.

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Yamazaki's vision

Director Takashi Yamazaki, the auteur orchestrating this cinematic séance, assures audiences that this isn't just a grayscale gimmick. No, it's a labour of love, meticulously crafted to unveil Godzilla in a whole new light.

He emphasises painstaking adjustments and the use of various mattes to recreate the film cut by cut.

"We are now able to announce Godzilla-1.0/C, which we have been working on for a long time. Rather than just making it monochrome, it is a cut by cut, I had them make adjustments while making full use of various mattes, as if they were creating a new movie. What I was aiming for was a style that looked like it was taken by masters of monochrome photography. We were able to unearth the texture of the skin and the details of the scenery that were hidden in the photographed data. Then, a frightening Godzilla, just like the one in the documentary, appeared. By eliminating colour, a new sense of reality emerges. Please live and resist further horror at the theatre."

This alternate version of Godzilla Minus One has been in development for a significant period, indicating Yamazaki's dedication to delivering a distinctive cinematic experience. The film is set to be released in 340 theatres across Japan on its premiere date.

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Minus One rules the world

While Godzilla Minus One flexed its box office muscles in the Land of the Rising Sun, breaking records and scaling the ranks to become the sixth highest-grossing Japanese film in the United States and the highest grossing live-action Japanese film in American history, this monochromatic reimagining aims to be more than just a shadow of its former self.

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Godzilla Minus One has not only achieved commercial success but has also garnered critical acclaim, being a finalist for Best Visual Effects at the 2024 Academy Awards. Director Takashi Yamazaki has already received recognition, winning Best Director at the Hochi Film Awards, where the film received three additional nominations.

ALSO READ: Could Godzilla Minus One actually be the first Godzilla film to ever win an Oscar?

As the monochrome curtain rises in Japan on January 12, 2024, and audiences squirm in their seats, one can't help but wonder – is this a mere homage in the form of an encore or the prelude to a new Minus One cinematic universe?

Yamazaki, having achieved a Godzilla-sized dream, tantalisingly hints at the possibility, "I playfully but earnestly hope I can make about one more." In fitting tribute to the King of the Monsters, the saga continues, both in colour and without.

Last updated: December 20, 2023 | 17:29

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