đ Synopsis
Godzilla Minus One, directed by Takashi Yamazaki, unfolds in post-WWII Japan, portraying the nation’s struggles after the war. With the country at its lowest point, a new crisis emerges in the form of a colossal monster that brings the country from ground zero to… MINUS ONE. See what I did there.Â
đ My Thoughts
Go watch this movie. It is incredible. This movie has no right to be as good as it is. Despite its Godzilla moniker, the film transcends the typical giant monster disaster genre. Rather, the film is about a man grappling with wartime trauma and guilt, believing he failed his country. It is about the formation of an unexpected family forged by circumstance. It is about a nation abandoned by its own government, leaving its citizens to conclude a war that lingered. It is about survival, sacrifice, family, and forgiveness. And I have not even mentioned Godzilla yet. Even without the monster, what remains is a compelling, emotional story with great characters.Â
đŠ Godzilla and Glorious Action Set-pieces
If you are not here for the emotional story, and you just want to see a giant Kaiju monster wreck stuff up, well you are in luck. Right from the beginning, this movie establishes that this is not a nice Godzilla. He is mean. He is so mean. Godzilla is no benevolent savior as portrayed in the recent American Godzilla films; he is a ruthless force wreaking havoc for the sake of it. All the disaster sequences, and especially the atomic breath scenes, are both breathtaking and horrifying.Â
đ€ What I Got Out of This
Godzilla Minus One is rich with themes, as mentioned above. Protagonist KĆichi Shikishima, a former kamikaze pilot, is filled with shame and guilt for deserting at the conclusion of the war when Japanâs fate was sealed. Throughout the movie, everyone is telling him that he should have killed himself (for the greater good), but like, maybe he should not have to do that ÂŻ\_(ă)_/ÂŻ. When Godzilla emerges, throwing all of Japanâs mistakes and guilt back at KĆichi, the question arises: should he redeem himself through a noble sacrifice, or should he accept that his life is worth living? Although the movie does conclude with some clichĂ© plot devices, it is filled with so much emotion and catharsis that I can overlook all the convenient elements. Just some terrific stuff here.Â
đ Should You Watch Godzilla Minus One?
Godzilla Minus One has something for everyone. Except for my friend Patrick. For some reason, he did not like this movie. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think he is wrong đ. But for everyone else, want a fun monster movie? Youâve got it. Want an emotional story with compelling characters? It is in here. Want a sad man who cannot simply tell a woman he loves her because he has his own internal trauma to deal with? Probably the best part of the movie. If you want to see a movie during these holidays, well maybe Wonka is more Christmas-like. But, please, check out Godzilla Minus One.Â
Discover more from ALAN MAEDO
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.