Yes, this is a review of the original Godzilla Minus One, not the new one. I am seeing that on Saturday, so a review will be on the way. With that in mind, I wanted to watch Minus One again in preparation for Minus Zero, and I’m so glad I did.
I cannot say I’m an expert in the lore of Godzilla; I know the movies, I know the ‘man in a suit’ versions; and I have fun with them. Most of the new Hollywood versions I found are instantly forgettable. They are the equivalent of a child smashing their ‘dinosaur’ toys together; all action, little story.
Then Japan turns up and gives us Godzilla Minus One creating, I’m going to say it, a masterpiece. All for a meagre $15 million, and they won an Oscar for the special effects.
The Story
I’m not going to break down the story altogether, and I’m guessing you know the ending.
We open on a small island near Japan. A pilot lands his plane, saying he’s ‘had issues’ with it. It turns out he is a Kamikaze pilot, Sasaku, who didn’t want to die. Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets? On the island, Godzilla attacks, and again, he doesn’t save the day; he only tries to save himself.
I love how Godzilla doesn’t eat any of the men; he picks them up with his mouth and just throws them. It’s not about food; it’s about destruction.
When he gets back to mainland Japan, which has been devastated by war, he meets a lady who hands him a baby. Sasaku, Noriko, and baby Akiko, end up helping each other out, and Sasaku gets a job as a mine sweeper.
Enter The Big Guy
Sasaku and his crewmates are out to sea, and they see ‘something’. Sasako knows it’s Godzilla, and they end up with getting a mine in its mouth and killing it. No, wait, it can regenerate and goes to sink the boat.
The Japanese Navy saves them in the nick of time. This time, Godzilla has mutated because of US nuclear tests. And this time, it’s personal… probably.
The rest of the movie is about how Tokyo will survive the attack and defeat Godzilla. As I said, I’m not going to break it all down, but this is storytelling at its finest.
Godzilla vs Humans
For a Godzilla movie, there are a lot of humans in it, but that’s what makes Minus One work. You are so invested in the guys; you are behind them every step of the way.
How on earth do you defeat a monster that seems impervious to guns and bombs, and if it does get hurt, can then regenerate? I won’t spoil what they try, but it’s well thought out, and you are willing them to win.
The human factor is amazing. Sasaku and his crewmates band together to fight, no matter what the cost. They are all going to lose something, maybe even their lives, but it’s for the good of everyone back home. It will be the ultimate sacrifice: their lives for others, like baby Akiko.
And it’s not just the main protagonists; everyone in the navy, even civilians, are willing to fight, no matter the cost. Most modern movies have all the main cast members written as annoying assholes, so much so, you cannot wait for them to be killed off. The Devil’s Mouth, I’m looking at you.
In Godzilla Minus One, you want everyone to live! Yes, they are all men, but that’s because the writers aren’t pandering to the TikTok generation. They are telling a great story, and it works, because you end up so invested.
Turn It Up To 11
The bit that always gets me is when Godzilla first uses his fire breath. There’s a build-up, with his ‘fins’ charging up, and then he lets loose. Talk about a HOLY SHIT moment! The blast is a nuclear explosion. Again, how are they going to fight against a power like that?
Even when Godzilla isn’t in that mode, just walking around, he struts around the city destroying everything in his path like it was Lego that doesn’t hurt when he stands on it.
The epic scale of Godzilla is, as I said, epic! He ‘feels’ real, like he is that size and destroying Tokyo. What’s amazing is the humble £15 million budget they made it on.
Sure, they use smoke and dust to cover up some of the dodgy bits, but it’s all so beautiful. And they keep it all grounded; I know I’ve said this before, but the whole ‘green screen, camera flying around’ like every shot is a ‘money shot’, is getting a little dull.
Money Bags
You’ve got computers that can render amazing shots, but just because you have them doesn’t mean you have to use them EVERY SINGLE TIME!
The humble budget of Minus One means they have to be creative, rather than just throw more money at it. Minus One came out in 2023; two years later, The Electric State came out. Its budget was $320 million.
I’ve seen it, but I couldn’t tell you much about it now, as I’ve never wanted to revisit it. I’m sure the CG was good, but the story was ‘meh’, at best. I remember Milly Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt are in it, but that’s about it. I didn’t care one iota about their characters. However, the human factor in Minus One is off the charts. I really felt for all the people in it, even the guy with curly hair and glasses.
Overall
Godzilla Minus One is almost perfect. The direction is so well done, the acting is fantastic, and the story is engaging. We are so used to being let down by Hollywood that when a real movie comes along, it almost takes your breath away.
I saw Minus One in the cinema, and I remember leaving it feeling shocked at what I just saw. I think I saw it on my own, which was annoying, as I would have loved to have discussed it with someone; just to talk about how good a movie it was.
Weirdly, we had an Outposter review this movie, but none of us did. I’ve no idea why, because it deserved a lot of praise. I guess better late than never.
Rating
Stuff it, I’m giving Godzilla Minus One a full 5 stars, and gold stars at that. Easily one of the best movies not to come out of Hollywood for a good few years.
The entertainment factor is a full 5 as well. From the outset, you’re pleased to see Godzilla doing what he does, and the scale of the movie is just, again, epic.
Minus Zero
I have a ticket to see Godzilla Minus Zero on Saturday afternoon, and I’m hoping for more. It’s not often a sequel is as good, or better, than the original, but reports say this time, it’s just as good.
I have always made sure I see things with an open mind, but as you can tell, I’m looking forward to Minus Zero, and I hope it doesn’t disappoint.
In line with that, I’m also hoping they don’t have any of the popcorn buckets at my local, because I really fancy one, but can’t really afford it. Also, sneaking it into the house, past the wife, will be a challenge.
A review will be posted as soon as I get home.
