While 2016’s Shin Godzilla was a critical and commercial hit, Toho could only release another Godzilla film after some years. This was due to their agreement with Legendary Pictures not to make a Godzilla film alongside them. Meanwhile, Toho set up an office to discuss plans for the Godzilla series and hired Takashi Yamazaki to direct. For a dream sequence, Yamazaki had previously incorporated Godzilla in his 2007 film Always: Sunset on Third Street 2. Many news outlets reported that the budget was $15 million, less than 10% of Godzilla vs. Kong’s $155-200 million budget. Yamazaki set the film in post-WWII Japan and took influence from Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. The movie was shot in Honshu’s Kantō and Chūbu regions between March and June 2022, with effects by Shirogumi Inc. After its Japanese release in November, Godzilla Minus One hit American shores in December 2023.
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Synopsis
Towards the end of WWII, kamikaze pilot Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki) flees his duties by flying to Odo Island. That night, he witnesses the entire base of technicians get wiped out by a giant dinosaur the locals call “Godzilla.” He returns home to find that his parents are dead, and his house was destroyed in the bombings. Kōichi inadvertently takes in Noriko Ōishi (Minami Hamabe), a local whose parents also died, and orphaned child Akiko (Sae Nagatani). While he tries to move on and works as a minesweeper, the dinosaur from before is mutated by atomic bombs. Now bigger and more powerful than ever, Godzilla makes his way to Ginza and goes on a rampage. In his wake, thousands are killed, including Noriko, and Kōichi swears revenge as the country struggles to rebuild. Will our heroes rise to take on this new threat, or will Japan be obliterated once again?
Review
In a time where we’re inundated with multi-million-dollar blockbusters with mediocre effects, along comes Godzilla Minus One to rival them. It says a lot when an under $15 million movie has better effects than The Flash, which had $300 million. Granted, $15 million isn’t a low budget, but it might as well be compared to today’s movies. While I generally prefer practical effects over CGI, I can’t deny that the digital effects in this movie are jaw-dropping. Sure, there’s a charm to the tried-and-true guys in rubber suits technique, but I’ll admit it wouldn’t have worked here. This is a much more serious, heartfelt, and emotional film on par with the original 1954 Godzilla. This is less of a kaiju movie and more of a human-focused drama featuring a kaiju. If you go into this expecting something like Godzilla vs. Kong, you will be disappointed.
As much as I enjoyed that movie, this trumps Adam Wingard’s monster mash-up and then some. While that film had so many characters and subplots, this one keeps it simple and focuses on one central character. It helps that the human storyline is captivating, and the characters are well-developed to the point where they feel real. You care about the guilt that Kōichi feels for seemingly betraying his country and letting so many people die. Additionally, Takashi Yamazaki does an excellent job of giving the film a somber, almost apocalyptic feel. Seeing the characters wander the ruined streets of Tokyo after the bombings and Godzilla’s rampage adds to the tone. Like the Ishirō Honda original, this one depicts Godzilla as a force of destruction that wreaks havoc without mercy. As incredible as it is watching Godzilla fire his atomic breath, you also dread what he will do.
At the heart of the film is a story of redemption, recovery, and people coming together to overcome significant obstacles. You could take Godzilla out of the movie, and it would still work as a drama about post-war Japan. That said, this film also celebrates the 70-year legacy of Godzilla, even including snippets of Akira Ifukube’s original score. If I had any criticisms, I admit that the characters can come off a bit one-note and stereotypical. Also, the acting can seem overdramatic and overly emotional, but it fits the film’s tone. Honestly, there is so much about this movie that works that it’s hard to find anything worth criticizing. Even if you’ve never seen a Godzilla movie, you’ll get something out of this and maybe want to see more. Overall, Godzilla Minus One should be a wake-up call for Hollywood to improve and put more care into their movies.
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