Hello, my fellow Godzilla Minus One fans.
For the past 60-plus years, there have been many Godzilla movies. Depending on who you ask, some are good and bad.
There are thirty-eight Godzilla films, thirty-three of which were produced and distributed by the legendary Japanese film company Toho. The latest is the current masterpiece Godzilla Minus One.
I have been a massive fan of Godzilla movies since I was a teenager, and my love has only grown as I have gotten older. Godzilla is seen as what he is…pure monster with this latest incarnation. Godzilla films have always had an undertone of consequences.
What happens when humans detonate a nuclear bomb? What happens to the earth, humanity, and the known world around us? With Godzilla Minus One, that message is explored more personally with the human story portrayed in this movie. We include Toho Studios interviews below for your enjoyment. It is suggested to view full screen to read the English captions on mobile devices.
One of the many things I adore about this movie is that it is entirely in Japanese, so be prepared.
There is almost zero English spoken except one scene of a telecaster reporting “live” from Japan.
The entire cast is Japanese actors, and the Godzilla Minus One writer and director (Takashi Yamazaki) are all Japanese.
It was born there, and Japan knows Godzilla best. The human element has played a vital role in all Godzilla movies produced by Toho Studios.
The characters are flawed and fallible, especially the main character, Koichi (Ryunosuke Kamiki), a kamikaze who fails to fulfill his duty. The cast is exceptional, portrayed with heart, grit, compassion, and humanity that are missing in modern film today.
In this movie, one would expect to see Godzilla in every scene or at least half of the film, but that is not the case. You only get to see Godzilla maybe three times throughout the entire movie. However, what you see and feel is the anticipation, dread, panic, and sheer terror that the mere thought of Godzilla can evoke. It reminds me of Jaws, where you barely see the shark but still feel the terror, panic, and destruction that the shark has wrought.
I do not want to spoil the movie for you with this review. My intention is for you to watch it yourself. The special effects are extraordinary, and the CGI is so well done that it is hardly noticeable. Godzilla looks just as I remember it – gigantic, scary, and powerful. One particular aspect of the creature was added to make it more extraordinary when seeing it in action. I will not give it away, but I was utterly amazed. It added yet another incredible element to the story.
One aspect I appreciate about this movie is the prominence of Japanese culture. The code of honor and way of life are featured and challenged throughout the film. It is particularly impactful that Koichi survived and did not fulfill his duty as a kamikaze, which brings shame and disgrace to him and his family. He needs to redeem himself, but when he returns home, everyone he meets reminds him that he is a disgrace. The story is like a mix of Shakespeare and Greek tragedy. It shows that family is those who share your blood and those for whom you would shed your blood.
The effects of war and its aftermath are vividly portrayed through the characters that Koichi meets. His neighbor, Sumiko, (Sakura Ando), ensures he understands the situation he is walking in. She was there for his parents when the bombs hit. She was left to deal with the death and destruction that followed. Sakura does an outstanding job of conveying the disgust mixed with pain and sorrow that Koichi encounters while also showing glimpses of compassion amidst the rubble.
The movie is remarkable because it metaphorically portrays the extent of man’s ego. It shows what it means to be a victim of war and survive while witnessing the destruction of everything you have ever known and loved. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the human stories unfold. Each character’s perspective was well portrayed, and it was easy to see how Koichi dealt with each encounter he faced.
My adrenaline spiked when Godzilla appeared in the film, anticipating that nothing short of astonishing destruction would ensue. The fact that Godzilla is indiscriminate about what it destroys and how powerful it is is one of the reasons I love this franchise. Godzilla is a pure monster, embodying raw power. Unlike previous Godzilla movies that made the beast sympathetic or helpful, the filmmakers kept it true to its original intention.
I heard that during some movie screenings, some viewers walked out because the film had subtitles. I enjoy watching foreign movies and would like to watch more of them. I believe some viewers left because most Godzilla movies are dubbed in English (poorly), giving them a certain charm and cheesiness that has made them cult classics.
The Japanese film industry has always been renowned for its brilliant cinematography and metaphors, which many Hollywood filmmakers try to emulate. This influence is evident in modern American cinema, as many of the greatest filmmakers are heavily influenced by Japanese masters. With the release of the latest Godzilla movie, I hope that more American filmmakers will strive to achieve the same level of mastery. However, I was a bit confused when I went to buy tickets for the movie. It was only available for a week and at certain theaters. I wonder if this had to do with the fact that it was technically considered a foreign film. Perhaps it may not be as appealing to audiences as a straight-up monster movie made by an American filmmaker.
In the movie, Koichi and Noriko (Minami Hamabe) are haphazardly thrown together and form a makeshift family. Minami’s portrayal of Noriko is outstanding as she brings both a softness and an edge to the character. Her performance is enjoyable, and I look forward to seeing her in more films. Despite Koichi’s lack of intention, Noriko forces him into a family dynamic because of their circumstances. I was surprised to learn that Minami is a young actress with an impressive range.
In the movie, Godzilla (the character) takes a backseat as you get engrossed in the lives of the war survivors. You learn about their humanity, lives before the war, and how it has changed.
The movie also sheds light on the naivete of some soldiers who have never seen war or battle and are eager to fight but are soon put in their place by the veterans who know what war does to people.
In the film, there is a shift in the timeline that takes you several years into the future. Japan has almost fully recovered from the destruction brought by the war and Godzilla’s rampage.
It is comforting to see this glimpse of a better future, even if it’s only briefly before the chaos begins again.
During this period, everything changes for those involved. The dire situation becomes even more severe when Godzilla delivers the final blow determining Japan’s future. It is up to Koichi and his comrades, Seiji Akitsu (Kuranosuke Sasaki) and Kenji Noda (Hidetaka Yoshioka), to figure out how to stop Godzilla once and for all.
For the remainder of the movie, I was utterly amazed, and I must admit, I even shed a few tears due to the events that transpired. The way the movie concluded suggests the possibility of a sequel (which I certainly hope for). Given its success at the box office and the rumored Oscar buzz, a sequel seems like a brilliant idea.
To summarize, I highly recommend watching this masterpiece if you are a Godzilla fan. It is worth the price of admission, and it will alter your perspective on Godzilla movies forever.
Thanks to Kenn for video and image embedding for my Godzilla Minus One feature article and many thanks to you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. I will be back in the future with new analysis!
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Until next time,
Regards,
