Godzilla Minus One review

GODZILLA MINUS ONE: 

THE KING OF THE MONSTERS AT HIS BEST IN A LONG TIME! 

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** ½ out of 4

TOHO CO. LTD

Godzilla is back in Godzilla Minus One

 

            The King of the Monsters has returned to cause more destruction in Godzilla Minus One, the latest of Toho’sGodzilla films and the first to receive an American theatrical release since 2016’s Shin Godzilla and the first wide-release Godzilla movie since Godzilla 2000. The film is directed by Takashi Yamazaki (Always: Sunset on Third Streettrilogy, Parasyte: Parts 1 and 2, Lupin III: The First) and can be considered a slight retelling of the original 1954 Godzilla as it’s set during the aftermath of World War II, has a much grittier and darker tone compared to cheesier films based on the character, and doesn’t have any connections to previous Godzilla movies, much like Shin Godzilla. 

            I guess the timing was perfect since there’s a new Godzilla x Kong movie on the way from Legendary Picturesnext year, so another chance to witness the King of the Monsters’ destruction in all his Japanese glory on the big screen? Hell yeah! 

            I’m no Godzilla expert though I’ve seen a fair amount of the movies, but I have to say Godzilla Minus One is one of the best I had ever seen. It might even be in my Top 5 Favorite Godzilla Films not just for the monster destruction, but for its engaging story and captivating characters. 

            The film is set in the aftermath of World War II and follows Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki-Rurouni Kenshin, Bakuman, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable), a former kamikaze pilot now working as a minesweeper who is grieving over the deaths of his squad after failing to stop a mysterious monster attack on Odo Island. The monster responsible for all that destruction is none other than the dinosaur-like creature created from nuclear radiation, Godzilla who has emerged from the waters to cause mayhem in Japan as the citizens are trying to piece their lives back together after the war. 

            During Godzilla’s destructive rampage, Shikishima also forms a bond with a woman named Noriko (Minami Hamabe-Ace Attorney, Saki, Shin Kamen Rider) whose parents were killed in the bombing of Tokyo and an orphaned baby she rescued named Akiko and start to become sort-of like a family. When Godzilla’s path of destruction begins to target his loved ones, Shikishima will put everything on the line in order to stop Godzilla even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice. 

            The film also stars Yuki Yamada (My Little Monster, One Piece Film: Red, Tokyo Revengers) as Shirō Mizushima, Munetaka Aoki (Rurouni Kenshin, Silence, The Roundup: No Way Out) as Sōsaku Tachibana, Hidetaka Yoshioka (Always: Sunset on Third Street trilogy, 64: Part I and II, Reminiscences) as Kenji Noda, Sakura Ando (Asleep, Reminiscences, Monster (2023)) as Sumiko Ōta, Kuranosuke Sasaki (Solomon’s Perjury, A Beautiful Star, My Home Hero: The Movie) as Yōji Akitsu, and Yuya Endo (Juvenile, Hot Road) as Tadayuki Saitō. 

            Overall, Godzilla Minus One isn’t just an excellent Godzilla film, but it might very well be the best in the series at least since the original 1954 movie. Why I consider this to be the best Godzilla movie since the original is not because of the thrilling monster action or scenes of destruction, it’s the human characters. 

            Very rarely in a Godzilla movie (Japanese or American) have I ever cared about the humans with the exceptions of Godzilla (1954) and Shin Godzilla, this has the best collection of human characters in the entire series. To the point where I would have been fine with a movie just about them trying to rebuild their lives after the war. 

Shikishima is the best human protagonist out of any Godzilla film and Ryunosuke Kamiki does an incredible job at making you be invested in his character. From him feeling guilt and grief over the deaths of his comrades because he failed to stop Godzilla in the beginning to his interactions with his minesweeping crew on a boat and of course, with Noriko, he is easily the most realistic and relatable human character since Dr. Serizawa from the original Godzilla. 

Minami Hamabe is also very endearing as Noriko who just wants to survive and protect this orphaned baby. While not an official romantic relationship, you buy the chemistry Noriko has with Shikishima and see how far each other will go to protect one-another in these dark times. 

In my opinion, the best Godzilla storylines are always associated with war or the effects it has and because this movie is largely influenced by real-life events, it makes the human characters a lot more relatable and Godzilla’s rampage more terrifying. To me, the ones where Godzilla fights other monsters are the popcorn entertainment entries (Which I also enjoy) while the films that are grim and serious in tone that depict Godzilla as an allegory of war effects have a more emotional weight to them that make you care about what’s happening because there is more at stake here. 

            The monster sequences are stellar and brilliantly shot and edited despite a CGI Godzilla this time instead of a rubber suit. This film utilizes the big-screen to its advantage and crafts some of the most intense and large-scale Godzilla scenes ever from the opening attack on Odo Island to a phenomenal rampage in Ginza and the most epic uses of the Atomic Breath ever. 

            The Godzilla action retains this consistent energy throughout with great camera work and fast editing, and all this destruction was done with a significantly lower budget and every penny is spent well. So, if you were all bummed about watching a movie on the big screen that’s on par with a Disney+ exclusive with The Marvels then I strongly urge audiences to catch this in theaters while you still can, just goes to show that sometimes low-budget Gareth Edwards sci-fi adventures and Japanese monster movies have more significant action than most Hollywood productions. 

            Whether the new Godzilla x Kong turns out good or not, I can take comfort that the OG Godzilla is back and better than ever thanks to Godzilla Minus One. It has great monster action as well as a powerful story and captivating characters, resulting in one of the King of the Monsters’ finest cinematic outings. See it right now, you’re welcome!