Godzilla Minus One

⭐ 9.5/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

Ah yes, a foreign film for the connoisseurs. This is a Godzilla movie, but made by Japanese filmmakers, and actually made by the same production company that made the original in 1954. It takes the series back to its roots, making this about postwar Japan and Godzilla's attack on Tokyo.

Man, let me tell ya, watching this movie from the Japanese perspective is a whole new experience. In the west we watch Godzilla destroy cities and literally do not think twice about it, but it's very different when you realize that this thing was invented by people who just saw two cities disappear. I always knew that Godzilla kinda represented the American's assault on Japan, but this really made it hit home for me. Lots of themes of suffering, suffering more, powerlessness, loss, trauma, but then rebuilding and finding hope between moments of destruction.

I think this movie was so effective because they were actually able to tell a human story in a monster movie. Yeah, humans! The ones that talk and have emotions! I like the western version of nothing but big things fighting, but those movies have no lasting impression whatsoever and the stakes feel miniscule as a result. This movie has a very emotional human story, so emotional that I might say it suffers from some melodrama. But it's very cute and endearing, mostly because it features an anime waifu and cute child. It's cheesy for sure, but I do feel like this movie will be more timeless as a result. You care about the characters so much that Godzilla is actually terrifying at times.

But yeah, the true draw of this movie is that it looks incredible. A true marvel! A feast for the senses!! I watched it in IMAX which is the way to go, though this movie is basically playing nowhere. I've heard it compared to Top Gun which i think is the perfect comparison. Looks amazing, and has a passable story. But Top Gun glorifies the US military, and this one demonized them, so this is better. I've also heard this one had a tiny budget for this kind of movie which is wild. It truly takes your breath away.

So yeah, it really is an amazing movie, but this damn anime BS still manages to make it just below 10 for me. There are some really cringey parts and I just can't abide. I try to chalk things up to cultural differences, but I refuse to give anime and anime-like the benefit of the doubt.