Shin Godzilla Blu-ray Review

"Shin Godzilla" on Blu-ray is an impressive presentation that benefits greatly from FUNimation’s meticulous encoding on an MPEG-4 AVC BD-50 disc. With a strong average bitrate of 32000 kbps and 39.64 Mbps for the whole disc, the transfer maintains filmic integrity across its 2.40:1 aspect ratio, ensuring a faithful representation of the theatrical experience. Through a mix of 2K masters and high-resolution digital cameras ranging from 3K to 5K, the video quality remains consistently detailed and revealing. Textures such as Japan’s skylines, Godzilla’s scorched skin, and intricate facial details are rendered with high fidelity. However, occasional shimmering and vertical aliasing on structures do not significantly distract from the overall quality.

The film's visual stylization incorporates a range of techniques, such as mini-DV camcorder parts and simulated TV news broadcasts that enrich the narrative complexity. Deliberate post-production choices result in a slightly yellow tint, supporting a subdued color palette with recessed hues. This enhances scenes where the red and purple glows of Godzilla stand out vividly. Even with muted saturation, explosions midway through the movie blaze in vivid oranges, bringing dynamic contrasts to life. Contrasts are generally natural and pleasing, although black levels may intermittently recede without detrimental impact on the visual depth, providing robust dimension throughout.

Additionally, the Blu-ray maintains an intentional, slightly hazy appearance via soft diffusion filters, contributing to a serious and dour aesthetic. Despite this stylistic choice, the image remains sharp with plainly-defined lines in every scene. Whites stay crisp without compromising fine details while blacks hold true, ensuring good shadow delineation. Primaries, although subdued, present accurately in several sequences, creating a cohesive monochromatic atmosphere that aligns well with the film’s somber narrative but still allows a few vivid moments to pop for dramatic effect. Overall, "Shin Godzilla" delivers an engaging visual spectacle on Blu-ray, sure to please fans of high-quality video presentations.

FUNimation's presentation of "Shin Godzilla" on Blu-ray features a unique audio experience, employing a Japanese and English Dolby TrueHD 3.1 mix both encoded at 16-bit. The Japanese track stands out as the superior choice for its authentic soundtrack. Dialogue is efficiently centralized while Shiro Sagisu's evocative score utilizes the front stereo channels, ensuring a balanced and immersive auditory experience. The low-frequency effects (LFE) are robust, providing a deep, impactful resonation that vividly conveys Godzilla's formidable presence and the chaos ensuing from his destruction. This thoughtful audio design effectively heightens the cinematic scale of the film.

The use of a 3.1 configuration for sound design is an unusual but notable choice for a kaiju film. Despite its simplicity, this setup creates a surprisingly full soundstage. Sound effects seamlessly travel across the front channels with clear distinction. Action scenes, while limited, stand out with their impressive mid-range clarity and high-frequency fidelity. These moments generate a palpable sense of presence and warmth that enhances the viewing experience. However, the bass, though present, does not stand out as exceptionally distinctive compared to other elements.

The subtitling approach in "Shin Godzilla" is thorough yet intensive, with English subtitles addressing every nuance of the dense dialogue-heavy script. This includes descriptive white captions at the top of the frame for locations and character names, alongside dialogue subtitles at the bottom. While comprehensive, this may necessitate pauses to read during particularly text-heavy scenes, posing a challenge for non-Japanese speakers. Although this mimics the DCP print’s textual pattern, it can be overwhelming for scope enthusiasts due to non-CIH-friendly subtitles spread across black mattes.

The Blu-ray extras for "Shin Godzilla" provide limited, yet engaging, supplementary content. The central feature is a 33-minute roundtable discussion, "Godzilla vs. the Nerds," where three Funimation employees and Godzilla comic artist Matt Frank delve into various aspects of the film, offering thoughtful insights and perspectives. This primary bonus, presented in high definition and English (without subtitles), is complemented by several trailers for other FUNimation titles. While brief, these extras offer valuable context and enhance the overall viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Godzilla vs. the Nerds: A 33-minute roundtable discussion with comic book artist Matt Frank and FUNimation employees dissecting "Shin Godzilla."
• Previews: Trailers for additional FUNimation titles.

Shin Godzilla, directed by Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, reboots the legendary Godzilla franchise with a distinctly modern perspective that's both critical and nationalistic. This 2016 production is deeply interwoven with contemporary Japanese societal issues, serving as a vivid parable for events like the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The government's chaotic response to the emerging threat mirrors real bureaucratic challenges, making the film as much an ensemble drama as it is a monster movie. With as many as 328 speaking parts, the numerous perspectives provide a tapestry of viewpoints but also dilute focus from the titular kaiju.

The portrayal of Godzilla is mesmerizing, combining motion capture and detailed animations to create a monstrous entity that evolves throughout the film. This iteration of Godzilla is an unsettling amalgamation of moray eel and frilled shark, with physical attributes reflecting the creature’s radioactive origins. Its most astonishing moments include spewing B2 bombs and emitting purple beams, though critics argue the extensive narrative explanation detracts from the monster's screen presence. Despite its monstrous appeal, viewers are inundated with scientific and bureaucratic jargon, which sometimes overshadows the sheer terror and spectacle fans expect.

Shin Godzilla's structure diverges from traditional kaiju films by eschewing a central protagonist in favor of multiple viewpoints, including government officials and citizens. This choice underscores the chaos and ineptitude often inherent in large-scale disaster responses. The film excels in its representation of urgent, if sometimes absurd, behind-the-scenes governmental actions, offering thrilling yet sobering commentary on human vulnerability and institutional shortcomings during crises. Despite lesser screen time for Godzilla himself, Shin Godzilla stands out for its fresh perspective and intelligent storytelling within the genre.

"Shin Godzilla," directed by Hideaki Anno, offers a refreshing and satirical take on the iconic Toho monster series. The film shifts its focus to the inner workings of government bureaucracy, revealing the cumbersome red tape and delays that occur during major disasters. This thematic choice, while occasionally dragging down the narrative with prolonged scenes of political maneuvering, provides a unique lens through which the traditional monster movie is viewed. Visually, the film is captivating, with arresting images of Godzilla that are both dazzling and unnerving.

The Blu-ray transfer by FUNimation is nearly flawless, boasting excellent picture quality that truly highlights the intricate details of the creature's design and the chaos it wreaks. The audio track is recorded in an unusual yet satisfying Dolby TrueHD 3.1 configuration, staying true to the movie's original mix. While this audio setup may seem unconventional, it complements the on-screen action effectively. However, the lack of substantial extras is notable, with only a half-hour video podcast exclusive to FUNimation included.

In conclusion, "Shin Godzilla" succeeds as a smart and observant reimagining of the classic monster film, integrating clever satire and social commentary. However, its adherence to highlighting bureaucratic intricacies can stifle its pacing and emotional impact. Despite this, the visual excellence and intriguing premise make it worthwhile. RECOMMENDED for the striking portrayal of Godzilla rather than its narrative depth. For enthusiasts and loyal fans of the genre, this Blu-ray is a commendable addition, while others may consider renting before committing to purchase.