Review by Robbie Fleming
Honestly, I’m not a fan of Giant Monster movies. I always find them to have bland & forgettable human characters, a boring storyline that never grabs my attention and too much usage of CGI. While I do have exceptions like Kong Skull Island, Godzilla vs Kong and Bong Joon-ho's The Host, I often avoid these types of movies. However, I finally watched Godzilla Minus One and I found it set a new bar for this film genre.
What separates Godzilla Minus One from other monster movies is its interesting human characters and focus on them, making this a strong character study drama as you see Godzilla’s attacks through the eyes of these Japanese civilians. Godzilla, as intended, serves as a metaphor for natural disasters and nuclear warfare which I think works better than it being the main focus of the film. The post-World War 2 setting also suits the story they are trying to tell, seeing as how Japan suffered a lot in World War 2 and the theme of Godzilla emerging during this period makes sense.
Ryunosuke Kamiki, who plays the main protagonist: Kōichi Shikishima, does an incredible job giving a performance that feels grounded and realistic and manages to bring a lot of dynamic to his character. The supporting cast is also excellent with Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Kuranosuke Sasaki & Sakura Ando (who was also in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monsters this year) all giving stand-out performances in this film. With the cast all playing interesting and well-written human characters, it gives them a chance to give better performances thanks to the way the film focuses on these humans during Godzilla’s attack
Hats off to director Takashi Yamazaki, who broke barriers with this film by directing it, co-writing it and even helping out with the visual effects. Yamazaki shows his talents as a filmmaker by not only telling his own story about Godzilla but crafting a Kajiu movie that feels authentic and original. The cinematography, shot by Kōzō Shibasaki, brings out some amazing shots that capture the setting and character’s perspective perfectly & Naoki Satō’s score also captures the mood and tone of the film, along with providing intensity when Godzilla is on-screen
Overall, Godzilla Minus One has now taken the reign as not only my favourite Godzilla film but my favourite Kajiu film as a whole. The story, characters, performances, cinematography, score, visual effects, Yamazaki’s directing and social commentary surrounding Godzilla’s film presence make it stand out as one of the best blockbuster films outside the Hollywood system. I give this film a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars and a 9/10 and highly recommend it to any fans of these giant monster films. Not only do I want to see more blockbusters from the other side of the world but I think that Hollywood should be taking lessons from this film and trying to make something similar to this rather than the bland & boring giant monster films they have given us in the past.
As someone who typically avoids giant monster movies due to their tendency for bland characters, uninspired plots, and over reliance on CGI, "Godzilla Minus One" came as a pleasant surprise. What sets this film apart is its focus on compelling human characters, transforming it into a character-driven drama that unfolds amidst Godzilla's attacks on Japanese civilians. Godzilla serves as a potent metaphor for natural disasters and nuclear warfare, lending depth to the narrative, especially within its post-World War II setting, where Japan's historical struggles resonate strongly.
Ryunosuke Kamiki delivers a standout performance as protagonist Kōichi Shikishima, infusing the role with realism and depth. The supporting cast, including Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Kuranosuke Sasaki, and Sakura Ando, further elevate the film with their nuanced portrayals of well-written characters. Director Takashi Yamazaki deserves applause for his multifaceted role in crafting the film, from directing and co-writing to contributing to the visual effects. The cinematography by Kōzō Shibasaki captures breathtaking shots that immerse viewers in the characters' perspectives, complemented by Naoki Satō's evocative score, which heightens the tension during Godzilla's appearances.
"Godzilla Minus One" has rightfully earned its place as not only my favourite Godzilla film but also my favourite kaiju film overall. Its engaging story, well-developed characters, stunning cinematography, and resonant social commentary elevate it above typical blockbuster fare. I enthusiastically rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars and a 9/10, highly recommending it to fans of giant monster films. Furthermore, I believe Hollywood could learn valuable lessons from this film, moving away from formulaic monster flicks toward more innovative and thought-provoking storytelling.
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