Godzilla (2014)

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

When I realised that I had missed the chance to see the newest Godzilla movie in cinemas I was rather upset. In fact, upset is putting it mildly: In reality, I felt like rampaging through a whole city like the titular monster himself.

So, imagine my excitement when I realised that it would still be in Japanese theatres during my trip. It was perfect; I could celebrate the latest addition to the series in its birthplace. Even if technically it is an American remake/reboot.

My anticipation was rather inflated too, as most people I’ve talked to have been raving about the film. Often this praise came from the people I wouldn't expect to have enjoyed a monster movie. It sounded amazing, something rather fresh and new in a genre that is often a bit samey. Also, let’s face it; the film can’t be any worse than the Godzilla film made in 1998. That version is always being panned, although it holds a soft spot in my heart.

So, there I was in a Japanese cinema watching the opening scene, almost shaking with excitement. I imagined how reality and fantasy could combine, here in Japan and that Godzilla will burst through the screen at me during a climactic scene. It turns out there would be no fear of that happening. As the majority of the film is set in America. Although by the end of the film you won’t be able to recognise it from the rubble. I don’t know when the film became which tower will topple next, but by the end you’ll wonder whether stopping the big bad bomb would make any difference.

That's an awful lot of fish 1998 Godzilla!

To say I was disappointed coming out of the screen is an understatement. I’m not sure how people have been able to praise this film so highly. Firstly the story is just cliché, which to be honest isn’t the problem. After all when dealing with a monster film there isn’t exactly much ground that hasn’t already been trodden by massive claws. The problem is that often cliché can be accepted as we don’t go for the story; we go to see monsters. Pacific Rim understood this, what little story it tried to impart was just there to explain the next encounter.

Godzilla has it backwards to the point where the monster is fitted around the story. Often the monster fights are reserved to news updates the characters are watching. Most of the film seems to be trying to make an ethical point with its story. There is the underlining message that man has messed about with nature too much, as our dependence on nuclear power is what creates Muto and it's up to Godzilla (as nature's champion) to restore balance. It's a worthwhile message to have I guess, but it just doesn't fit in a Godzilla movie. Firstly, because Godzilla is meant to represent destruction, he started as an analogy for Hiroshima. So it seems more than a little disrespectful for an American studio to take that concept and make him karma's avatar. Secondly, if Muto's origin is how I understand, then it too is natural and existed the same time as Godzilla. Humanity's intervention merely reignited their spark of life. I won't keep picking minute flaws in its story, it's not what I went to see the film for. I wanted to see monsters duking it out, but even then I didn't get this. All I got was a cliched story about a heroic soldier trying to make his way home.

Again, the story of the returning hero is well-used, but if we care about them then it's worth being retold. Unfortunately the characters in Godzilla aren’t memorable either. Ken Watanabe and Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s characters are so basic that they could be any other marine or researcher from any other film. They have no individual personality and nothing that ties them to this one film. I honestly think I could have copied some of their scenes into the newest Transformers and they would have fitted just as well. Worse is Elizabeth Olsen, who spent the film hoping her husband would save her. Talk about your passive female character. With the amount of time the film focuses on her it could quite easily have set her up as a better heroine, someone we could care about. She didn't have military training, she was a medic and she had their young son to care for whilst all hell breaks loose around her. Imagine the tense scenes possible as she tries to survive, help relief efforts and seek shelter. But no. She just ran and hid in a subway station, stopping only briefly to send her son off onto a bus with a random friend. No wonder I kept hearing Bryan Cranston’s character, he’s the only colour in amongst the shades of bland. The opening scene is rather tragic and we can believe he is a man who can't get over losing despite how much time has passed. If planned properly, a story could have written itself about whether his search for truth was merely a figment of a guilty mind. But, because we know full well something bad went down that wasn't his fault, any payoff or suspense is lost.

Somewhere along the lines he forgot to evolve a neck.

What really annoys me is how Taylor-Johnson manages to not only be around during every significant attack, but also how he comes out unscathed. Not only is it unbelievable but the absurd level it gets to is cringe worthy. I honestly expected a scene where he rides in on top of Godzilla to punch a stars and stripes shaped hole into the Muto threat. What did happen was much worse as he ends up connecting with both Muto and Godzilla, the former glaring at him in the knowledge that Johnson has just fried its eggs (although in amongst all the destruction how could it have known?). The second time when both he and Godzilla are flat out on their backs in a scene that screams, lowest point of the hero's tale, they both share a bro-nod and get up to fight again. He’s practically Captain Scarlet, why didn’t the military just let him fight Muto?

Godzilla himself wasn’t too bad, and I like the retro design. However, this just makes it more of an insult that the story is so Americanized. His look and finishing move are about the only fragments of his past that remain. Japanese cinema was eager to dismiss their Godzilla from the 1998 beast and I wouldn't be surprised if they did it again. I can also see why he’s been dubbed ‘Fatzilla’, clearly at 60 his metabolism has slowed to a crawl. Muto looked okay, although a bit too sleek and polished to seem like it would occur in nature even in pre-history. It looked more like a robot with all its curves and piano black finish, a bit like what I imagine a PlayStation 5 will look like. Which it could be argued fits in with the message that Muto is a product of our meddling with nature. But, as I pointed out, Muto existed before we got here and I can't imagine how evolution could have developed that shade of glowing neon eyes. He's just too perfect.

After finally getting a chance to see the film I felt rather let down. I hear there is a sequel being released by 2018. This news made me feel like toppling a tower or two.


Godzilla image from io9, Godzilla 1998 image from cameronlaventureblog.

Tokyo Trip top points, so far.

I am sending this post all the way from Tokyo in Japan, fancy right? As amazing as the trip is; it means I can't do a full blog post today or Monday. So, to rectify this I am going to compile a few lists about things I am noticing during my trip.
I'm sure that once I am home there will be many posts and articles fully detailing my experiences.

1. Japan is filled with colourful characters: Often I would chastise those who summed up Japan as full of anime and video games. But, now I will have to agree with them slightly. Pointing out of course that I can only agree based on my experience of Tokyo.

2. There are a lot of people in Tokyo and not a lot of space: Which has led to buildings standing shoulder to shoulder, being built high into the sky and deep beneath the surface.

3. The trains certainly run on time, but they can be overwhelming to newcomers.

4. Japan has all kinds of crazy foods and sweets: During my trip I have eaten locusts, frog legs, snail, intestines and unidentifiable substances. All but the intestines was rather delicious.

5. You don't know what true rush hour hell is until you've been in the Salary man rush.

6. There is a lot more English around then you would think: before I was worried that there would be no word understandable to me. Yet, most signs in Tokyo have some English on them and there is always helpful translators on hand.

7. The sound of a cicada is quite frankly deafening. Is that a whole hive? Nope, it's just one, and it's active. But you'll probably not see it until it flys at your face.

8. Whilst, I have seen some wondrous things, I have also noticed a lot of problems that would certainly put me off living in Tokyo.

9. There is very little point to the one Yen coin, yet they seem to be in overabundance; especially in my pocket.

and finally...

10. Tokyo skyline viewed from on high is beautiful. This only gets grander if you catch it at night, when the city comes alive. The lights along the streets mesmirize, and the skylines twinkerling red warning lights appear like a christmas scene.

In summary Tokyo is a totally different world and a trip here is fascinating. To keep more up to date follow me on twitter, search @JoshFrancis93.

I'd love to hear your views, so please leave them below in the comments.

Baked Kit-Kat

In a few short days I travel to Tokyo, I’m excited to say the least. To get myself in the right frame of mind I attended Hyper Japan 2014 (See my Student Wire article). If I’m honest whilst the event seemed to show Japanese culture it had a clear focus on what we expect, such as Kawaii (cute) fashion. I realise it is far from the only thing I will experience whilst I’m in the actual country.

Whilst I was at Hyper Japan, however I did pick up a certain treat I have been hearing a lot about. As some of you may know Kit-Kats are rather popular in Japan, perhaps due to the name being translated as Kitto-Katsu: which roughly translates as certainly win. There is a mountain of weird and wonderful varieties available, such as Green tea, strawberry cheesecake, dark chocolate the list goes on. One of the most popular is baked pudding flavour and often even the dedicated Kit-Kat stores will sell out of them. So I felt pretty certain I had won myself when I found them on sale on a sweet stall.

Now the why out of all the flavours are these so popular? Well, it is because the ‘baked’ part of their name actually describes the preparation not the flavour. That’s right these guys can be cooked. Unfortunately for me the instructions are in Kanji, but after searching for some Youtube videos I know how to cook them. So, after lining a baking tray I was ready to begin baking like Cooking Mama herself.

Ebony and Ivory side by side on my foil-lined baking tray.

When I opened the packet I was hit by a very intense smell of caramel, almost sickly. They are meant to be Crème Brulee flavour so I expected a hint of burnt sugar. I didn’t expect to get a sugar high from the smell alone. I tried one of the fingers, they come in mini-packs of two, uncooked and I wasn’t too impressed. The outside had the appearance of white chocolate, unfortunately not  the taste: it had little flavour and a texture that was rather waxy.

However I persevered and popped the baking tray into the oven, and in the interest of science also included a regular Kit-Kat finger. I put the oven on 180 degrees, but ended up putting it a bit higher. Guides I had read suggested leaving it for four minutes. I wasn’t taking any chances, and on a Saturday night I sat on the kitchen floor eagerly watching the oven.

 

Such an exciting student.

The chocolate started bubbling and after about six minutes the outside started puffing up and turning brown. It had the appearance of puff pastry when I pulled it out. The regular bar just looked a bit burnt, and after a nibble I can confirm it was rather char-grilled. But the baked one was rather different. It had a nice and subtle vanilla aroma and the outside flaked when I picked it off the tray. Taste wise it was Ok, nothing spectacular: Just subtly sweet but not caramel as I had expected. The texture was nice as it fell apart in my mouth.

Neither looked too appealing if I am honest.

 Overall I think the main draw of these is the preparation. Their popularity lies in their novelty and, unfortunately they don’t quite live up to the hype. Unlike some I will not be cancelling my trip to Japan after this disappointment, no instead I will just have to try more flavours once I’m there to make up for it.

Packing list for Tokyo

I will  freely admit that I am not a planner, in fact I absolutely detest thinking too far ahead. Don't get me wrong, I think through what I'm going to do, but as I like things to be a surprise I prefer to stay in the moment.

This isn't a very good idea when you are travelling; especially when that travelling takes you cross the globe. So with more than a little help from the wonderful Amy I have compiled a packing list.

If you are looking for inspiration for your own packing, or are just feeling a little nosey, then take a look. Also if you have any suggestions concerning all things long-haul, leave them in the comments below.

Suitcase

• 4 light shirts and trousers (I'm lucky as I'm staying with friends that I will have access to washing machines)
• 5 small reporter notebooks plus pens (I am after all a writer).
• Chargers for my camera, tablet, phone and many more
• Shower supplies and toiletries in clear bottles
• Hat, sandles and other items that will make me stand out as a tourist
• Insect repellent

Hand luggage

• Passport
• Confirmation letters for flight, hotel, directions Etc.
• Itinerary (which Amy is keeping hold of as I'm not to be trusted)
• Notebook
• Tablet
• Headphones
• Phone
• Neck pillow, which may kill my neck more than nothing at all
• Snacks for the plane (the most important part)

I have to admit I am rather proud of my planning. One point I am dreading is the passport check; as I have lost quite a bit of weight since it was taken.

Overall I am super hyped and by the time you have read this I shall be well on my way. 

What Turned Me Japanese-y!

As mental preparation for my imminent trip to Tokyo, something that both excites and terrifies me, I thought it would be good to reflect upon my current view of Japanese culture.

Our personalities are shaped by the interests that we have, many of mine are often what many in a Western culture to be obscure. Things like anime, video games and popular internet images (known as memes) are often dissmissed as being geeky. Often in order to partake in these interests I need to actively seek out this subculture as it isn't prevelant in everyday life. I have been to London Comic Con in the past and will be attending this year's Hyper Japan; two examples of events that allow me to express my passions and meet others with similar interests. Many of these geeky franchises seem to originate from Japan, which has built a keen interest within me to experience the culture.

This is the type of merchandise I hope to find in Tokyo,
although my wallet hopes I don't

 Despite this, I am aware that what I have experienced so far as Japanese culture goes is only a snippet. Indeed, even my trip is limited to a ten day burst in Tokyo. I will not presume to have experienced all of the culture when I return - merely a brief glimpse of city life in Japan's capital. This will surely be an eye opener to me nevertheless, and my image of what Japanese life is like will change. Right now, my view is of a city not too dissimilar from London - filled with bright lights and loud traffic. Only with an abundance of all things 'kawaii' and geeky. My mind paints a picture of brightly painted anime characters dancing outside vast stores devoted to technology. Whilst I know that these places do exist, in reality they will only be in certain districts (such as Akihabara) and not scattered everywhere.

An example of Tokyo's bright city life.

Like many modern childhoods, my Saturdays began with sugar-coated cereal and morning television. Growing up, my favourite shows to watch were Pokémon, Cubix and Digimon (all of which I still have a slight obsession with). They all depicted the lives of Japanese children, which struck a chord with me. The towns they lived in seemed much simpler and yet more exciting than my own. Cubix especially, as this displayed an image of a robot-obsessed world where it was possible to have your own robot friend. How could my town compare? All it could offer was a musty library and a park that got burnt down every few months.

When these shows weren’t on I indulged in video games and, once again, often my preferences were  brightly coloured offerings from the East. Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog games were my first introductions to the gaming world. Many weekends were spent playing Mario Kart with my brother on our N64, and these are some of my fondest memories. It's little wonder then that I embraced an idealistic view of the land they originated from.

This sums up my childhood.

Due to my enjoyment of crafting, I also developed a keen interest in origami, the Japanese art of paper folding to make objects. I am quite proud of my origami skills; there is something about watching the precise folds turn into amazing creations. I find it calming, and that it creates a sense of real accomplishment.   

Even circumstance seem eager to encourage my ever-growing obsession with Japan. In Primary school, we started to learn Japanese in year three. Now, it seems odd to me for our school to expect young children to be able to take on and understand a language that is so alien to our own. Yet, reflecting on this, I can remember really enjoying learning the language and displaying a certain aptitude for it. One which weirdly I haven’t been able to replicate, demonstrated by how I am currently struggling to learn little bits that will enable me to get by during my trip. I recall learning numbers from one to ten, how to write my name and memorising the alphabet (I am unsure if what we were taught at the time was Kanji, Katakana or Hiragana, Japan's three main alphabets).

Some of my origami creations

The highlight of these lessons came when we took a visit to Canterbury University, where the students had put on some form of Japanese experience day. I remember walking round their campus revelling in the examples of culture around me. Getting to try katsu chicken kebabs, making delicate kites small enough to fly using a desk fan, being introduced to haiku and painting our names onto thin parchment using  a brush called a fude. It appeared I had a certain knack for the latter, as my attempt won me a book of haikus. I felt so proud of myself and treasured both the book and the poetic form of haiku. To this day, despite a certain lack of enthusiasm to all things poetic (especially non-rhyming ones) I still love haiku. I enjoy reading these for their seemingly simple structure, and the contrasts they create.

More recently in life, I have continued to be drawn to Japanese culture. I have recently developed a passion for amigurumi (a form of crochet to create soft toys, often game or anime characters), which I hope to be able to sell on Etsy. I was also very fortunate that I have found a like-minded partner - my amazing girlfriend, Amy. I don't doubt that anyone else would deem me too insane to give the time of day to. But not her, oh no. Instead, she showed an equal obsession and introduced me to all things ‘kawaii,’ and taught me what the word actually means and how to spell it. I in turn have taught her some origami and together we rediscovered haiku. We also enjoy exploring Japanese cuisine together. Whilst we are both hesitant towards sushi, we never shy away from a good yakisoba (pan fried noodles) and I fear that an argument over the last mochi or dorayaki (traditional Japanese sweet treats) could be the thing that may eventually separate us!

Some examples of my amigurumi projects.

Overall, my life seems to naturally deviate towards certain aspects, probably the ‘geekier,’ ones of Japanese culture. I realise in reality that anime, video games and cute critters isn’t what Japan is about. There is also a rich, spiritual culture, evident in the many festivals and shrines they have. I hope to immerse myself in these during my stay. In highlighting my presumptions in this post, I will hopefully be more inclinded not to focus too much on what I want to experience in Tokyo, but instead seek out new experiences as well. Indeed, whilst I am there people will be celebrating Obon, a summer festival devoted to remembering ancestors.

I hope my trip will be eye-opening. and allow my love for Japanese culture to flourish. I also want it to enrich the knowledge I have of the culture in a way that will give me a greater understanding of it and my own interests.


Merchandise image from illustrators lounge, Tokyo image from The Telegraph, Nintendo image from Theology Gaming