Summary
- The trailer for Godzilla Minus One focuses on the horror of Godzilla’s attacks, offering a refreshing take on the franchise that takes the monster seriously.
- Previous films in the MonsterVerse franchise prioritized action and neglected character development, making Godzilla more likable and detracting from the horror.
- The upcoming film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire will need to step up its human drama to compete with the potential success of Godzilla Minus One.
The trailer for Godzilla Minus One leans into the horror elements of the franchise and, in the process, offers viewers a glimpse of the potential of the MonsterVerse franchise. Legendary’s MonsterVerse franchise started strong with 2014’s Godzilla. Directed by Gareth Edwards, this surprisingly downbeat Godzilla movie treated its titular monster like a genuine existential threat while leaning into the human drama of its story. However, not everyone was impressed with this risky approach. Some critics and fans argued that Godzilla would have benefited from a brisker pace, a lighter tone, and a more playful approach to the MonsterVerse.
These naysayers got what they wanted with 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Directed by Michael Dougherty, the sequel was sillier, faster, and nowhere near as interested in the human cost of Kaiju attacks. Then, in 2021, Godzilla vs. Kong fared better with critics by almost entirely abandoning any attempts at developing its human characters. Directed by Adam Wingard, this bruising blockbuster was mostly devoted to the eponymous battle between its two titans. However, the trailer for 2023’s upcoming Godzilla Minus One proves that this is not the only way to approach the MonsterVerse, showing fans what the franchise has been missing since 2014.
Godzilla Minus One Looks Like It Properly Shows The True Horror Of Godzilla
The trailer for Godzilla Minus One leans hard into the horrors of Godzilla attacking a major city. Framed largely from the perspective of desperate, terrified human civilians as they try to flee the monster’s wrath, the trailer depicts the terror of Godzilla’s presence without becoming too hopelessly dark. Compared to the intentionally campy human drama of the MonsterVerse’s most recent movies, the human element of Godzilla Minus One’s plot feels like it might work since the lumbering leviathan’s actions have a tangible, horrifying impact. The human characters of Godzilla Minus One seem to matter more since the movie takes its monster seriously.
In Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, it was tough to tell whether the titular Kaiju was intended to be a villain or a bizarre antihero. Godzilla has always had a tragic streak, but when the MonsterVerse forgot to focus on its human characters, the franchise made him almost likable. This detracted from the horror of the series as viewers were left rooting for the ostensible villain. Moments when Godzilla acted out of character, like his bizarre smile after blasting King Kong in Godzilla vs. Kong, made it impossible to take the human characters of the series seriously.
Godzilla Minus One Lays Down A Challenge For Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
The next MonsterVerse movie, 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, will need to impress since it arrives hot on the heels of Godzilla Minus One. These close release dates allow for increased comparisons from Godzilla fans where Godzilla: King of the Monsters was lucky enough to arrive three years after 2016’s deservedly acclaimed Shin Godzilla. If Godzilla Minus One turns out to be as good as it looks, then there will be a serious incentive for the MonsterVerse to step up its human drama. The MonsterVerse’s next outing must make its human characters matter more to compete with Godzilla Minus One.