Returning to the famous Kaiju’s Japanese roots results in not only the best Godzilla film but one of the best films of 2023 in Godzilla Minus One.
Godzilla has always operated as a cautionary tale on the consequences of war. In Godzilla Minus One, writer/director Takashi Yamazaki goes further. Instead of drawing on post-war Japan, Yamazaki unleashed Godzilla in 1945—a time when Japan was in near total shambles.
Godzilla has never been more terrifying than in Godzilla Minus One. Japan’s hope for defending itself against Godzilla rests not on military power but on sailors in wooden boats who must undertake an impossible mission to stop the rampaging beast from ending Japan.
Setting this film right at the end of World War II, provides Yamazaki an opportunity to use Godzilla to illustrate the devastation of PTSD as well as survivor’s guilt. The human subplot involving a former kamikaze pilot who must deal with the PTSD from war as well as a previous encounter with Godzilla is just as interesting as the monster’s destruction. Add in the unique family unit Kōichi Shikishima forms with Noriko Ōishi and there’s an emotional attachment that remains gripping through the film.
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Production design especially when it comes to recreating a war-torn Japan is terrific. Naoki Satō‘s score utilizes classic Godzilla themes in an inspiring way. By far the most impressive technical accomplishment is the special effects, from the way Godzilla looks to the effects of his atomic breath, Godzilla Minus One puts most Marvel and DC films to shame with a fraction of the budget.
Overall, Godzilla Minus One is one of the ten best films of 2023.
Godzilla Minus One Review Score: 9.5
Outstanding
With the overview out of the way, let’s take a closer look at Godzilla Minus One. If you’re looking for a different take that also puts the focus on human characters, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is streaming on Apple TV Plus.
Disgraced soldier in Godzilla Minus One
Godzilla Minus One begins with Shikishima washing up on an island close to Japan. He’s found in a state of shock by mechanics on the island. Before they can pry too deeply into how a kamikaze pilot is alive, Godzilla strikes the island.
Shikishima has an opportunity to attack Godzilla using the machine gun mounted to a plane. However, he chokes under pressure and all the men except one are killed.
When he finally reaches Tokyo, he finds his hometown in total ruins. He meets a woman, Sumiko, who knew his family. She looks at him with disgust and confirms the rest of his family is dead. Before he can mourn or even make shelter, he runs into a woman, Noriko, who is carrying a child. This weird crossing of paths sets up a new hero’s journey for Shikishima.
As he battles PTSD and survivor’s guilt, he must also face his fear of confronting Godzilla. Right off the bat, Godzilla Minus One does a great job of setting up a strong arc for Shikishima. Ryunosuke Kamiki does a great job of generating sympathy for Shikishima.
The family you make
During their first meeting, Shikishima assumes the child belongs to Noriko. She corrects him and says she found the child abandoned. These two strangers decide to make a life together.
Their decision to form a family comes across as a little unbelievable and a bit rushed. However, Kamiki and Minami Hamabe have terrific chemistry that somehow makes this family dynamic work.
Forced to provide for their new family, Shikishima takes on work as a minesweeper. Noriko takes a job in nearby Ginza. There’s mutual attraction, but they don’t get married as Shikishima continues to keep Noriko at arm’s length. She shows a great deal of patience opposite of Shikishima’s PTSD nightmares. Eventually, he reveals his secret as a disgraced kamikaze pilot who ran away from his duty.
The connection forged between Shikishima and Noriko makes Godzilla’s attack in Ginza all the more harrowing to watch. Somehow Yamazaki managed to create a unique family drama that both works independently of Godzilla and is added to by Godzilla’s presence.
Fighting back against Godzilla
Shikishima’s job as a minesweeper ends up being the key to possibly defeating Godzilla. A couple of years after the war, Shikishima accepts a risky job offer from the government.
His job involves sailing out to sea in a wooden boat and collecting the mines underneath the ocean. These mines are magnetic which is the reason for the wood boats. The collection of mines leads to a ragtag group of sailors coming together to face Godzilla.
Meanwhile, Shikishima returns to the cockpit with the hope of redeeming himself in the eyes of his family.
Godzilla Minus One final thoughts
Overall, Godzilla Minus One amps up the requisite amount of carnage while adding a surprising amount of heart.
The Review
Godzilla Minus One
PROS
- Godzilla has never seem like a more insurmountable threat.
- Compelling human drama.
- Incredible special effects.
CONS
- The unconventional family unit comes together a little too quick.
