Plot Summary – Japan is already devastated by the war when a new crisis emerges in the form of a giant monster.

Original Title: ゴジラ-1.0
Original Language: Japanese

★★★★★ 

Watched 13 Dec 2023

2023 is the year of theater experiences. It’s an argument for why you should go back to the theaters. After watching Nolan’s Oppenheimer this year, I didn’t know if I would ever experience a scene so gripping, terrifying and well-made in theaters. I am so glad to say that Godzilla Minus One delivers one of the most breathtaking, stunning visual setpieces I’ve seen in a long time. The cinematography and visuals of this film were off-the-charts. That being said, that’s not what makes this film special.

My main issue with all these monster films, especially the American ones, is the complete lack of compelling humans. This film is about the humans. It’s a touching post-war drama about PTSD and survivor’s guilt that also has an awesome Godzilla storyline. Godzilla is genuinely terrifying in this film. In previous films where I’ve seen him/her appear, they’re always portrayed as a benevolent beast who’s almost slapstick. The Godzilla in this movie is a being of pure terror. The scale of his destruction and the way you are made to feel so small and helpless compared to him is genius. The film is also really really innovative in the way it executes the actual plan of defeating him. I’ve never seen a movie like this with such a scientific and measured plan. Seeing the heist-like buildup to the third act is what made this film such a thrilling watch.

The score and sound design also blew me away. The theme for Godzilla is so haunting and beautifully composed and there was a moment in this film which was the best use of sound I’ve seen all year (yes, including THAT Oppenheimer scene). This is just a masterful piece of writing, filmmaking and acting and I could not look away. I highly highly recommend that you check this one out in theaters.