To celebrate Godzilla's 70th anniversary, Toho Studios, his parent company, intentionally delayed the release of their most traditional Godzilla film until the year-end. "Godzilla Minus One" is a thought-provoking and restrained addition to the Japanese Godzilla franchise, reminiscent of the 1954 original that explored the consequences of nuclear disasters. Early reviews praise "Godzilla Minus One" as a captivating escape, skillfully balancing a somber atmosphere and human stories.
Set in 1946, "Godzilla Minus One" follows a group of spiritually drained ex-military men as they unite to defeat the beloved kaiju antihero. With Godzilla's imminent arrival and the high stakes involved, the fate of Ginza and Tokyo rests on the shoulders of Koichi Shikishima, a disgraced kamikaze pilot haunted by trauma.
Koichi is driven by a profound sense of survivor's guilt. In a poignant scene on Odo Island, Koichi aims at Godzilla but finds himself unable to pull the trigger. Tragically, this hesitation costs the lives of several fellow soldiers, leaving Koichi with the heartbreaking task of burying their bodies. Restoring Koichi's patriotic fervor becomes paramount, as such nationalistic passion is seemingly crucial in the fight against Godzilla. However, amidst this struggle, Koichi is burdened with the responsibility of caring for other survivors who have also lost loved ones, homes, and the will to fight. The quest to overcome spiritual decline becomes integral to Koichi's journey and, in turn, shapes the narrative of "Godzilla Minus One."
"I yearn for a chance to embrace life again," Koichi declares with determination. His unwavering resolve is shared, yet unmatched, by his fellow cast-offs like Kenji Noda, a scholarly former weapons engineer, and Sosaku Tachibana, a former Navy mechanic. These individuals carry the weight of their inner demons, evident in the layers of ash and grime that cling to them during the post-war recovery. The female protagonists, like Koichi's selfless sweetheart Noriko Oishi and his recently orphaned adopted daughter Akiko, drive him forward, providing additional reasons to persevere. However, their agency and personalities, like their male counterparts, are limited by their circumstances.
In "Godzilla Minus One," Godzilla appears with apparent reverence. This well-crafted popcorn movie strategically incorporates fan-favorite devices, creating an event when Godzilla roars or breathes fire for the first time. Fans of Godzilla will also appreciate the thoughtful use of several song cues from Akira Ifukube's iconic "Gojira" score, enhancing the overall experience.
Ifukube’s music seamlessly blends with Naoki Sato's new compositions, renowned for his work on "Godzilla Minus One". Sato's orchestral wall of sound creates a captivating backdrop, with the string section gracefully dancing like a surfer on a wave. This original score stands out as one of the most stirring and suspenseful in recent Godzilla movies. Strategic silences and immersive background noises punctuate and enhance the overwhelming on-screen action.
The release timing of "Godzilla Minus One" may complicate its reception. This live-action Godzilla film from Japan follows "Shin Godzilla," a creatively daring disaster movie and political satire that offered a modern interpretation of the beloved character. While Toho, the production company, has been active in the past six years, the Warner Bros.-produced American "MonsterVerse" franchise has dominated the spotlight. Toho's trilogy of animated Godzilla features is also worth exploring. Additionally, the co-director/writer duo of "Shin Godzilla," Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, have released their faithful and imaginative takes on tokusatsu heroes Kamen Rider and Ultraman in America this year. These two films, "Shin Ultraman" and "Shin Kamen Rider," had limited theatrical releases unlike "Godzilla Minus One" which opened nationwide in the middle of the week. It even shared "large format" auditoriums with Beyonce's three-hour concert documentary, "Renaissance".
"Toho's 'Godzilla Minus One' is a clear attempt to showcase their iconic monster as a captivating and traditional crowd-pleaser. They made an excellent choice in director Takashi Yamazaki, who has proven his ability to connect with audiences through heartfelt yet captivating films like the 2005 period family tearjerker 'Always: Sunset on Third Street' and its two sequels."
Yamazaki offers G-fans many reasons to see "Godzilla Minus One" in theaters. He has a keen eye for action and a strong grasp of feel-good, saber-rattling melodrama. While Yamazaki's style and movie politics may appear conservative compared to his predecessors, he has created a solid Godzilla film, if not a masterpiece.
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