Godzilla Minus One Review
Godzilla Minus One has surpassed 80 million dollars worldwide and set a new record as the highest grossing Godzilla film from Japan. (Credit: Toho Studios)
The first Godzilla film to come out of Japan in 7 years, Minus One has a lot to live up to after Hideaki Anno’s fan favourite Shin Godzilla (2016) stunned audiences with its prominent political messaging and fresh, creepy design for Goji. Thankfully though, Minus One manages to do this and more. Giving an exciting and harrowing homage to Ishiro Honda’s seminal masterpiece.
Opening with a callback to the original’s intro on Odo Island, which quickly sets up our main character, Koichi Shikishima (Kamiki Ryunosuke), and the PTSD will follow him throughout the film. Unlike many previous instalments from Godzilla’s catalogue, Minus One places an enhanced focus on the human characters. Normally this proves to be unpopular among fans, however in this instance it only enhances the film’s themes, placing particular focus on the theme of the value of human life.
Set in 1945 through to 1947 the film shows the aftermath of the second world war and the process of Japan rebuilding after the conflict. Using this time-period to have many of the main cast, having prior served in the military, through the film comment on the pointlessness of and disregard for life throughout the war.
The titular Godzilla himself proves to be a formidable antagonist, while Shin’s Goji was existentially terrifying, Minus One’s is a truly physical terror. Tearing battleships apart and returning to his familiar role of tormenting the streets of Tokyo, almost seeming to revel in the decimation of human life with a hate-filled glare in his eyes.
Despite being primarily a visual effects supervisor, including the effects for Minus One, Takashi Yamazaki provides a thoughtful and meaningful addition to Godzilla’s filmography. With several instances of Akira Ifukube’s classic theme playing throughout, mixed in with the film’s own original soundtrack and ominous main theme.
Ending in an enthralling and emotional final act, Godzilla Minus One gives a fresh entry in the franchise that respectfully homages Ishiro Honda’s 1954 original and conveys strong and impactful themes on Japan's relationship with the war and the value of human life. Making for a fitting celebration of the cinematic titan’s 70th anniversary, Minus One is a film that is well worth a watch for any fan of the series and newcomers alike.