A Cenotaph for a Monster
INTRODUCTION A cenotaph, a monument, an empty tomb. A monster, a creature causing terror and fear, something inhuman or one could say monstrous . Yet some monsters do deserve a cenotaph and not just be a foot note at the end of a tale. THE MONSTER Godzilla, a radioactive, giant, mutant lizard. A creature that, when it emerges from the depth; causes untold destruction and damage. Yet there is sympathy to be had for a creature like this. Hideaki Anno’s’ interpretation of Godzilla with Shin Godzilla is a beast in constant pain from rapid unwanted evolution. Early in the film blood pours from frilled gills not designed to breathe air, its sharklike body causing it to plow along the ground rather than stand upright and walk. When it finally breathes its atomic breath, it’s not a joyous boisterous moment like in other iterations of Godzilla; instead, it is one of agony. They bend over and bear down as fire pours from its mouth before turning into a nearly uncontrolled beam that smashes...