I want to start out this review by stating I am, BY NO MEANS, a Godzilla or monster universe expert. I have only watched a handful of Godzilla movies (some of the older ones and also some of the newer ones from the American franchise) so, don't consider me an expert on the monster genre or an expert on Godzilla.
THAT BEING SAID - GODZILLA MINUS ONE IS THE BEST GODZILLA MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN! If you are a fan of monster movies. If you are a fan of the Godzilla franchise. You need to go to a theater and watch this movie. Godzilla Minus One is much more than just another monster movie and you need to go and witness this movie for yourself. I literally have nothing bad to say about this movie and I hope we get more monster movies like this one.
*Now as per usual with any review I write, I will not be including any spoilers in this review.*
Quick background and synopsis of Godzilla Minus One: This Godzilla movie takes place in Japan post World War II - VERY close to the end of World War II. Japan is stilling reeling from the devastation of World War II and now has to face the destruction and chaos of Godzilla.
Now, I had only watched one trailer before going to the theater and watching Godzilla Minus One. Even with that one trailer though, I knew this Godzilla movie had a different perspective of what a monster movie is. I think that is what shined with Godzilla Minus One. It was refreshing and different because the story and the perspective of what a monster movie is was just so unique with this movie.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THIS MOVIE
-GODZILLA - What do you go to a monster movie to see? You want to see a monster causing chaos and leaving utter destruction behind it. This version of Godzilla in Godzilla Minus One is TERRIFYING! It does not care about human life and has no remorse. It just destroys and levels everything in its path. Now if you know anything about Godzilla, you know that Godzilla has always been the representation of the nuclear bombs dropped on Japan during World War II. Just imagine a movie where Japan has already seen and dealt with that destruction once with World War II AND THEN has to deal with that level of destruction again when Godzilla surfaces and comes ashore. There are some devastating scenes within Godzilla Minus One that just made my mouth drop open.
-HUMAN ELEMENT - A highlight for me with Godzilla Minus One was the human element in this movie. You actually get well-rounded and well-written humans in this movie. You have a nation and a group of people dealing with the aftermath of World War II. You have characters who are dealing with things like PTSD, trauma and survivors' guilt. This movie creates pockets of touching moments that display human connection within the chaos of Godzilla. This causes the audience to connect and actually care for the human characters. You, as an audience member, want to see these characters survive and thrive in this post World War II and HOPEFULLY post Godzilla Japan. That is something I just have not experienced in a Monster movie before. A monster movie having humans who you relate too and connect with. The Human element of Godzilla Minus One is something special and something you need to witness for yourselves.
-THE ACTING - I think a part of the reason why the human element of this movie was done so well was not just because of the writing but it was also acted very well. I recognized a lot of talented Japanese actors in this movie. The talent shined through in Godzilla Minus One. The acting was superb and just helped the audience care more for these human characters and what they were dealing with in the movie.
-THE TIME PERIOD - Given the fact that Godzilla Minus One is set post World War II, REALLY close to end of World War II, adds to the uniqueness of this movie. I have not seen a lot of Godzilla movies set in this time period. Granted, I know I have not seen a lot of the Godzilla movies in general. Being in this time period though, just adds something special to the movie. It causes the movie to have higher stakes. Due to World War II, Japan had their military disarmed and most of their weapons were destroyed. Post World War II Japan was not equipped to handle Godzilla. This just added to the chaos and destruction of Godzilla. Post World War II setting and landscape also created a very different background and story for the humans in this film too. The setting and landscape added so much to the narrative of this movie.
-THE CGI AND GRAPHICS - I was BLOWN AWAY by the CGI and Graphics of this film. When Godzilla charged up his atomic breath for the first time and it went off, I just sat there with my mouth open. The sequence of events that were shown between how the design of Godzilla lent to the charging of his atomic breath to the COMPLETE devastation that was left over after his atomic breath went off was something else. I know with every Godzilla design; each version tries to be unique and different. This version of Godzilla stands out.
-THE MUSIC - I thought the music for this film was beautiful and complimented the film well. After I watched the film, I learned that the film reused some of the original and iconic music of the Godzilla franchise. I just think that is so cool! It is unique with this movie and makes this movie special. If you are a fan of the Godzilla franchise, you will IMMEDIATELY recognize this music and love the music. I have been listening to the OST NON-STOP since I saw the movie.
Rating: 9.5/10 (IN THEATERS NOW)
I want to state this again before I end this review. If you are a fan of the Godzilla franchise. If you like monster movies. If you just want to watch a unique perspective of a monster movie (one I have never seen done in a monster movie myself) - GO WATCH GODZILLA MINUS ONE!
So, have you seen Godzilla Minus One?
What did you think?
Is it on your list to watch?
Will you watch this movie now after reading my review?
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