Man, I've been looking forward to this one! In the wake of a struggling American cinema, Japan graces us with a brand-new kaiju film that shockingly impressed Western audiences left and right. That, folks, is "Godzilla Minus One".
Plot: A few years after WW2, disgraced kamikaze pilot Shikishima struggles to settle down with his new family and friends. However, a ghost from the past has returned to haunt him as well as the nation, the saurian Godzilla, mutated by nuclear radiation. As the monster vents his rage and plunges Japan in despair, Shikishima and his cohorts face their inner demons and unite to defend their homeland when no one else could.
This film is cinematic in every possible way. The story tackles the trauma the Japanese people had to deal with after the war head-on: failures on top of a crippling defeat, personal loss, government failings, and economic decline. Shikishima is a great protagonist, wracked with guilt to the point of reoccurring nightmares yet deep down wants to make amends and help those close to him towards a brighter future, helped by his lovable bunch of companions with their own distinct personalities and insecurities who also served during the war. The drama and interpersonal conflicts are powerful, really making you feel their turmoil, so much so that even when the monster isn't around for a long stretch, they keep you engaged (I actually heard someone in the audience crying from such scenes!). All this serves to emphasize the theme of living and rebuilding after such harrowing times.
As for Godzilla, he's presented as an aggressive territorial animal. He feels huge yet personal, his mere presence spine-chilling and power very impactful. This is helped by haunting music (though you still get the classic theme) and equally scary imagery and hard-hitting violence (not overtly bloody, mind you, but enough to leave an impression). There were even moments where it felt like "Jaws" in a good way. The times when he uses his atomic breath alone are straight up jaw-dropping. The army's battles with the kaiju are also done well, a good amount of destruction and utter fear, with a climax that's creative in its concept and execution. All this spectacle is done with excellent special effects despite being a fraction of the usual American budget these days; I could practically count every scale on Big G.
All in all, "Godzilla Minus One" is a must-see that is well-deserved of the large amount of praise it's getting. Not only does it present the monster in a scary light that borders on horror, but it also has human characters that keep your attention, not to mention great music, effects, action, and story. My only slight critique is that the second half does drag a little. I should note that, as of the timing of this review, it's in Japanese with English subtitles, though the actors use a lot of facial expressions to convey the right emotions even when not talking. It gets my recommendation to those who haven't seen it. Long live the King of the Monsters!
Plot: A few years after WW2, disgraced kamikaze pilot Shikishima struggles to settle down with his new family and friends. However, a ghost from the past has returned to haunt him as well as the nation, the saurian Godzilla, mutated by nuclear radiation. As the monster vents his rage and plunges Japan in despair, Shikishima and his cohorts face their inner demons and unite to defend their homeland when no one else could.
This film is cinematic in every possible way. The story tackles the trauma the Japanese people had to deal with after the war head-on: failures on top of a crippling defeat, personal loss, government failings, and economic decline. Shikishima is a great protagonist, wracked with guilt to the point of reoccurring nightmares yet deep down wants to make amends and help those close to him towards a brighter future, helped by his lovable bunch of companions with their own distinct personalities and insecurities who also served during the war. The drama and interpersonal conflicts are powerful, really making you feel their turmoil, so much so that even when the monster isn't around for a long stretch, they keep you engaged (I actually heard someone in the audience crying from such scenes!). All this serves to emphasize the theme of living and rebuilding after such harrowing times.
As for Godzilla, he's presented as an aggressive territorial animal. He feels huge yet personal, his mere presence spine-chilling and power very impactful. This is helped by haunting music (though you still get the classic theme) and equally scary imagery and hard-hitting violence (not overtly bloody, mind you, but enough to leave an impression). There were even moments where it felt like "Jaws" in a good way. The times when he uses his atomic breath alone are straight up jaw-dropping. The army's battles with the kaiju are also done well, a good amount of destruction and utter fear, with a climax that's creative in its concept and execution. All this spectacle is done with excellent special effects despite being a fraction of the usual American budget these days; I could practically count every scale on Big G.
All in all, "Godzilla Minus One" is a must-see that is well-deserved of the large amount of praise it's getting. Not only does it present the monster in a scary light that borders on horror, but it also has human characters that keep your attention, not to mention great music, effects, action, and story. My only slight critique is that the second half does drag a little. I should note that, as of the timing of this review, it's in Japanese with English subtitles, though the actors use a lot of facial expressions to convey the right emotions even when not talking. It gets my recommendation to those who haven't seen it. Long live the King of the Monsters!