As a pop culture icon, Godzilla looms high above most of the competition, and casts a shadow over many aspects of film and animation. As a child, I was aware of the concept of Godzilla and kaiju as a whole, despite not having any experience with the genre. Godzilla was just something I always remember knowing, but never learning about. So, for this installment of Fresh Eyes, I decided to go back to where it all began, and take a look at the one, the only, the original Godzilla. I was not disappointed, not in the least.

The plot of the film is very simple and, for someone familiar with any modern creature feature, expected. Godzilla attacks a few ships, humans try to figure out what happens, Godzilla makes himself known and wreaks havoc, humans develop method to defeat Godzilla, day is saved, yay! However, the thing setting Godzilla apart from and what elevates it above most modern blockbusters is the metaphor and tone. Godzilla is a walking metaphor for the atom bomb and the destruction it brings. In the years following the end of World War II, it is unsurprising the Japanese would be preoccupied with exploring this idea and attempting to come to grips with what that means. As a result, Godzilla is a harrowing and dower film, which makes for a distinctly un-fun viewing experience, which is not something I was expecting.

Everything about the production design of Godzilla contributes to a permeating sense of worry and fear, of insignificance in the eyes of destruction. Most wide shots in the film serve to frame the humans and human creations as tiny and insignificant. Long lines of communications wires and towers, which would look tall and impressive in any other film, feel dwarfed by the very way the camera looks at them. People often look like insects, scurrying away from the giant monster, caring little for their lives or struggles. The model work does show its age, mostly due to the fact water and fire do not scale, but I think the way they are clearly so fragile and tiny works into this fear and worry. Godzilla destroys everything in its path with ease, as if they were actually toys. Seeing the miniatures as they are is almost like seeing them from Godzilla's perspective, and further drove home the feeling of insignificance and terror for their lives that the victims are clearly feeling during each attack.