21st century kaiju : the resurgence of giant monster movies / Gordon Arnold.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Arnold, Gordon B., 1954-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Monsters in motion pictures.

Monster films--History and criticism.

Monster films.

Genre:

Film criticism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (259 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Jefferson : McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers, 2023.

Summary:

" Once dismissed as a fading genre with little to say to contemporary audiences, the giant monster movie genre roared back to life in the new millennium. In one of modern cinema's most surprising turnarounds, a wave of 21st-century kaiju films has delivered exciting and thought-provoking viewing to global audiences. In a variety of works that range from action-packed CGI spectacles to more personal, introspective productions that comment on real-world issues of the day, the new millennium has witnessed some of the most intriguing films in any genre, including movies from acclaimed directors such as Guillermo del Toro, Bong Joon-ho, Peter Jackson, and more. This book takes a sober, multidimensional look at the new class of giant monster movies. It examines the making of these films and their sometimes-obscure meanings. It also covers efforts to reinvent storied kaiju characters from the past, including Godzilla and King Kong, and to transform the genre with movies such as Cloverfield, The Mist, Colossal, and Pacific Rim that feature all-new creatures"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Cover

Preface

Introduction

1. Kaiju Rising: Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Monsters ­All-Out Attack (2001)

2. Last Gasp: Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)

3. Return of the King: King Kong (2005)

4. A ­Coming-of-Age Story: Gamera the Brave (2006)

5. A Korean Vision: The Host (2006)

6. A Return to Horror: The Mist (2007)

7. Reflecting an Era: Cloverfield (2008)

8. Improvising with Monsters: Monsters (2010)

9. For the Love of Kaiju: Pacific Rim (2013)

10. Hollywood Tries Again: Godzilla (2014)

11. Reclaiming a Monster's Legacy: Shin Godzilla (2016)

12. A Monster Within: Colossal (2016)

13. Reimagining the Beginning: Kong: Skull Island (2017)

14. To a Battle Royale: Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)

Conclusion

Chapter Notes

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Other Format:

Print version: Arnold, Gordon 21st Century Kaiju

ISBN:

1-4766-5177-9