Last Updated on December 1, 2023
PLOT: Post-war Japan is at its lowest point when a new crisis emerges in the form of a giant monster, baptized in the horrific power of the atomic bomb.
REVIEW: While Legendary Pictures may have its own Monsterverse, Toho International is the one that started it all. So it’s always exciting to see how they’re evolving the series. Shin Godzilla unexpectedly took the world by storm in 2016 and I’m glad to see that they’re continuing their push towards American Theaters. Because seeing Godzilla Minus One in IMAX is one of the best theatrical experiences you can have this year.
The story of Godzilla Minus One mostly follows failed Kamikaze pilot, Koichi, as he returns from WW2. He’s a very complicated character and I’m surprised I wasn’t more frustrated with him. With many questionable decisions (nearly yelling Akiko that he’s not her father), the reason it works is that his arc feels predetermined. So it’s more about waiting for him to find the courage that’s clearly already there. Seeing him return from war, only to see nearly everything he’s ever known is gone is heartbreaking. It speaks to the sacrifices these soldiers make, with no guarantees they’ll get the life they knew back. There’s also a ton of heart sprinkled throughout the story. The final ten minutes had me tearing up, as they’re really able to pay off the human side of the conflict in a satisfying way.
Like most Toho Godzilla films, this is more than simply a monster movie. There’s plenty of biting social commentary and human moments. Godzilla represents Nuclear War and all of the destruction that it can cause. But this also looks at the human side of war; the people that have to sacrifice themselves to even attempt a victory. Koichi’s shame towards being a kamikaze pilot who failed his mission showcases some of the absurdity of honor. I also liked how much it put a spotlight on the government failures, with every Government intervention being immediately stymied.
I can’t properly convey just how effective damn near every single scene with the titular creature is. His introduction is so awe-inspiring and leaves such an impact that I kept having flashes of it through the rest of the runtime. His sheer size is remarkable but it’s how they’re able to properly convey him that really stuns. This creature is absolutely terrifying and there’s a sense of dread that follows it. I loved how stiff and awkward its movements were as it makes it feel more grounded. They’re able to mix in various techniques such as combining miniatures with the computer-generated images and they work to perfection.
Though, I’m not going to pretend the CGI is completely flawless. There are a couple of shots that are jarring in how low quality they are, but thankfully, it’s a rarity. Godzilla looks incredible 99% of the time. But what’s most impressive with the creature is just how much weight they’re able to give him. One of the biggest issues I have with some American Kaiju films is their lack of true weight. There’s such a floatiness to everything that can take me out of it. But here you feel every single one of the giant Beast’s stomps. And much of this can be attributed to the camerawork, which puts you in the shoes of these devastated civilians.
There are movies that must be seen in the theater and Godzilla Minus One is absolutely one of them. With some of the best cinematography, effects, acting, and even story that the Godzilla franchise has ever seen, this is a fantastic introduction of the Japanese version of the character to American audiences. Because for as much as Shin Godzilla was loved, it was still very niche in its delivery. This feels like Toho finally breaking through the noise and creating an epic story that stays away from the cheese and goes for the heart. I’m sure this is sacrilegious but I’d go as far as to say that Godzilla Minus One is the best Godzilla movie ever made.
GODZILLA MINUS ONE IS IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE ON DECEMBER 1ST, 2023.
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