Ever since the original movie was released in 1954, Godzilla has grown to be a famous household name that everyone recognizes. Whether the movies are known to general audiences as campy monster films with men in rubber suits or a larger than life monster to fans, everyone knows the name and knows him well enough. However, in the 69 years of the franchise's run, Godzilla has never been nominated nor won an Oscar before. There have been movies that have won critic's choice awards, the Japanese version of an Academy Award, and many other smaller awards. When it came down to the Oscars, there was no chance for the King of the Monsters. That was until Godzilla Minus One stomped into American theaters on December 1st.
The original plan was for a limited theatrical release of one week only. Yet, Godzilla Minus One was proving not only to be a box office hit, but demand for the movie to release in more territories was at an all time high. Due to the high demand and high praises by both fans and general audiences alike, Toho Co. kept extending the movie's theatrical run up to February 1st making a domestic total of $56 million (third highest grossing foreign film to release in America) and world wide total $106 million. And this movie's budget was estimated around $10 million, which completely humiliated most of the over budgeted schlock from Hollywood last year. Godzilla Minus One really proved smaller budget films can turn make a profit.
When the movie was announced to be on the short list of nominees for Best Visual Effects category at this year's Oscars, all eyes were watching closely. When Godzilla Minus One got the nomination, hopes and prayers were risen. While the Oscars is frowned upon and seen as nothing more than a pat on the back ceremony by a majority of people there was a lot of interest in seeing if Godzilla would actually win the Oscar.
There was a lot of doubt as the Oscars usually snub monster movies and there were other movies running against it that could have easily taken the gold statue. Other nominees were The Creator, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1, and Napoleon. All of these movies could have easily won. This year proved all doubt was proven wrong. This year, Godzilla won its first Oscar ever in the history of the franchise. Godzilla Minus One won the Oscar despite all of the odds going against it.
Even I had my doubts because I thought at times the visuals did look like a video game cut scene, but I am happy none-the-less of the outcome. I am really happy for director Takashi Yamazaki for seeing his vision come to fruition and getting this far. I am really happy for him and his production crew for putting so much time and effort in giving us a Godzilla movie that resonated with so many people. The movie was a masterpiece, overall. It is one that I put at my second most favorite Godzilla film of all time. I would have liked to have seen it nominated for the Best International Film category, but I think the win for Best Visual Effects is good enough.
Whether the movie had won or not wouldn't have made a difference to people. Godzilla Minus One has already proven itself to be one of the highest grossing foreign films in America, was highly praised by fans, general audiences, and critics alike, and has won countless other awards outside of the Oscars. However, winning an Oscar was basically the cherry on top. Godzilla has come a long way after 69 years of film and I am sure as hell glad to see the King of the Monsters winning an Oscar for once.
CONGRATULATIONS TAKASHI YAMAZAKI, TOHO CO., AND EVERYONE THAT HAS WORKED ON THE FILM! YOU GUYS EARNED IT!