Shin Godzilla Blu-ray Review

Stirring

Critical of its home government but still riled up by nationalism, this smart take on an over 60 year-old screen monster is striking. Shin Godzilla offers spectacle alongside lengthy conference room negotiations, reconstructing the Fukushima nuclear disaster in a vivid parable. While light on character, Shin Godzilla still works as a reflection of the Japanese society it was born into.

Read our full Shin Godzilla review for more.

Video

From a 2K master, Shin Godzilla delivers thick detail. Capturing Japan’s skylines, digital Godzilla’s burned skin, and consistent facial detail, Funimation’s US release delivers strong fidelity. The slightest bit of shimmering – especially during a climactic sequences as buildings topple – doesn’t hamper the overall quality.

Some excessive banding as Godzilla “shuts down” partway through the film shows a heavy compression error. A slightly digital sheen hangs over certain scenes too, not including the small level of noise throughout the feature. Resolution wins out in the end.

Slightly yellowed in post, Shin Godzilla uses a dry color palette, steering primarily toward recessed hues. Saturation remains dulled, allowing the red and purple glows of the title monster to stand out. A series of explosions at the midway point flare up with awesome results, singing the screen in vivid orange.

Natural, pleasing contrast follows all of the above. Black levels may recede on occasion, if not to an alarming level. Dimension is a strong suit of Shin Godzilla.

Audio

The front-loaded TrueHD 3.1 track is a surprise. Not for the separation between stereo channels; while the soundtrack spreads out and occasional effects bleed from the center, in terms of direction, Shin Godzilla’s mix is dull.

Shin Godzilla’s success is in LFE. The crunch of the low-end is powerful and weighted, selling the scale. Footsteps generate thick shaking to the room, and eventual attacks from military forces (howitzers in particular) hit with force. Whether explosions or destruction, the intensity matches the imagery.

Note the disc offers both Japanese and English dialog options. Both use 3.1.

Extras

A 33-minute video podcast called Godzilla vs the Nerds, featuring three Funimation employees and Godzilla comic artist Matt Frank, is the lone extra aside from trailers.

The 15 unaltered images below represent the Blu-ray. For an additional 37 Shin Godzilla screenshots, early access to all screens (plus the 6,000+ already in our library), exclusive UHD reviews, and more, support us on Patreon.