At the time of the Godzilla Minus One premiere, Godzilla was considered the longest continuously running film franchise in history with the first movie debuting in 1954. Director Takashi Yamazaki (The Great War of Archimedes) takes inspiration from two films in the universe: the original "Godzilla" movie and "Godzilla: Mothra and King Ghidorah: All-out Attack." This movie stars an amazing Japanese cast including Minami Hamabe (Shin Kamen Rider), Sakura Ando (Love Exposure), Ryunoske Kamiki (Your Name.), Yuki Yamada (Shoplifters), Munetaka Aoki (Silence), Kuranosuke Sasaki (Mission Impossible: Samurai), and young Saki Nakatani (Okusama wa toriatsukai chui).
Godzilla Minus One is set in post-World War II Japan, when the country is at its lowest point. The citizens don't know what they are in for when a new danger emerges from the ocean: a giant monster created from the effects of the atomic bomb. The story centers around Shikishima Koichi (Aoki), a kamikaze pilot who was unable to go through with his mission. In addition to personal knowledge about Godzilla, he is also dealing with the shame of running away and survivor's guilt. Will his salvation be in the form of Oishi Noriko (Hamabe) and Akiko (Nakatani)? Will the kaiju not only destroy Shikishima's life but also all of Tokyo?
Godzilla fanatics will find many homages to the original film including the design of the monster itself. While CG is clearly used, the scenes with the kaiju rampaging through the streets are nevertheless inspired by the early films, evident through its movements and mannerisms.
The special effects (both visual and auditory) are fantastic. It is a treat to the eyes and ears to experience a Godzilla film in the theaters. To create a distinct sound while also paying homage to the original movie, instead of creating a new Godzilla roar, the crew used the iconic roar from the first film by recording the original as it played over loudspeakers.
Each of the actors does a great job portraying the fear, sadness, and heartbreak of the country. Every line and silent gaze packs quite an impact. Aoki does a superb job channeling his energy into the conflicted Shikishima. Nakatani Saki is small but mighty with her painful sobs tugging at the heartstrings of viewers.
While there are plenty of praises to be sung for Godzilla Minus One, there are minor flaws as well. The pacing is fine for most of the film but the action versus drama ratio is skewed more toward drama. Normally, that isn't an issue, however those expecting all 125 minutes to be action-packed will be disappointed. Because the scenes with the monster are so intense, the elongated dramatic moments in between can feel a little slow, especially since the film starts off with such a shocking and thrilling opening scene.
Viewers shouldn't dismiss the movie because of the drama, however. Shikishima's story is powerful and poignant, showing audiences what can happen in the mind of people who were raised and trained to give so much of themselves for their country. It is an impactful story throughout, as it also raises questions and addresses topics involving the repercussions of war on soldiers, citizens, and even the environment as Godzilla itself is a product of war.
Godzilla Minus One successfully mixes old styles with a modern flair, giving new audiences a hint of what made the original movie so great. Yamazaki isn't afraid to touch on important topics while also directing and constructing incredible action sequences. It is a must-see for moviegoers who love the franchise and monster movies with a heart.