There’s a lot to complain about when it comes to the modern state of theatrical exhibition. First, the cost of even a standard ticket for a regular screening can rival that of paying for a subscription service. Next, there’s the cost of concessions, which is similarly exorbitant compared to what you can enjoy at home. Then, there’s the hellscape of navigating unruly crowds, who seem to forget they are in a movie theater with other people, using phones as if they are sitting on their couch.
One thing the home viewing experience could never replicate, though, is the sheer scale of IMAX screenings. If you’ve seen a movie in an IMAX theater in recent years, you’re familiar with the signature countdown to prepare you for the show, which highlights the cutting-edge innovations that immerse you in a movie in ways previously thought impossible. Last weekend saw the release of one of the biggest and most anticipated movies of the year, in the form of Godzilla Minus Zero.
In honor of the movie’s release, which was optimized for IMAX theaters, the movie got a custom countdown to brace the audience for what they were about to witness. IMAX has officially released their custom Godzilla Minus Zero countdown online, which you can see below.
Godzilla has been a staple of the cinema for decades, and while the movies originate in Japan, the crossover appeal of the character means a big footprint (pun intended) with American audiences. Despite his massive popularity for so long, the release of Godzilla Minus One took the beast to all-new heights.
The movie earned some of the best reviews of the entire franchise, and even secured the impressive milestone of being the first Godzilla movie to earn an Oscar. To say anticipation has been high for this year’s sequel would be a bit of an understatement, and that wait for this latest entry seems to have been worth it.
Godzilla Minus Zero has earned similarly impressive critical reactions, as it sits at 90% positive reviews on aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. The new film continued the series’ record-setting streak, as it opened to $31.6 million in the U.S. This gives Godzilla Minus Zero the biggest opening weekend of a live-action international movie of all time. Even all these decades later, it’s clear that Godzilla isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Godzilla Minus Zero is in theaters now.
Did you see the movie in IMAX? Let us know in the comments below!
