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Smashed cars, destroyed city skyscrapers, people running for their lives, and people coming together fight a common enemy. It’s the typical thoughts any ordinary person has when they hear the name “Godzilla”. Since its original debut in Ishirō Honda’s 1954 film, Godzilla, the iconic monster or kaiju, has amassed a large fanbase over the years, one that continues to grow even now. And with the sudden rise of film and television focused heavily on the MonsterVerse and Godzilla, it looks as though fans will be fed for quite some time, especially with Godzilla Minus One, a new film released on December 1.
Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, Godzilla Minus One reintroduces the character of Godzilla himself but through the eyes of human characters, specifically Kōichi Shikishima, portrayed by Ryunosuke Kamiki. The film takes place during the tail end of World War II in 1945 as it follows Shikishima, a disgraced kamikaze pilot who witnesses the sheer terror and destruction of Godzilla. Struggling to cope with his shame and the overwhelming feeling of survivor’s guilt, Shikishima finds a family and a home with other stragglers impacted by the war as he hopes to begin a new life and ultimately redeem himself.
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While it is absolutely expected to assume that a film with Godzilla in the title would focus on such a gargantuan titular character, such is not the case here, and that’s not a bad thing. Much of the film takes a more human approach when it comes to the narrative of the story. It takes its time following the emotional toll of the war on our main character, the connection and community felt amongst other supporting characters, and the way mortality weighed heavily on the people subjected to monstrous destruction. Given the time period it is set in, Godzilla Minus One utilizes the fear of Godzilla himself and takes advantage of the vulnerability of the characters we see on screen as a way to unite the people under one front. If they can handle the worst of a global war, they can handle a nuclear dinosaur-looking monster.
And while the film’s concept is fairly simple, the layout of the setting, the destruction that is displayed, and the overall visuals are incredible for a monster movie. It’s not just about Godzilla trampling over cars and destroying buildings. Instead, the viewer is able to feel the emotional impact as well as understand the physical impact of Godzilla’s actions through the characters of the film. There’s no clarity of where this towering monster of terror comes from or what its goal is. But we do know that it’s dangerous and while the threat feels insurmountable, every risk is worth bringing it down, especially if it means ending the personal war and conflict from within our characters.
Performances across the board in Godzilla Minus One manage to kick us in the heart, leading us astray into moments where it feels hopeless while pulling us back up to see the light. Ryunosuke Kamiki in particular conveys a desire for community alongside the assumption that he is undeserving of a life well-lived. Meanwhile our supporting cast which includes Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, and Sakura Ando provide a level of entertainment alongside heavy emotions that are fitting for the complex tone of the film. And we have to extend an applause to Naoki Satō, the composer of the music for Godzilla Minus One who managed to create unique pieces of music for an added layer of emotion. If there’s anything to tie up this film, it’s the way Satō also makes excellent use of his brass instrument players to incorporate Godzilla’s iconic theme from the 1960’s.
Whether you’re a longtime Godzilla fan or a newcomer who is intrigued by this world of monsters, Godzilla Minus One is a film that cannot be missed this year. It becomes very clear that Japanese directors and studios have built a relationship with this character for decades, allowing them to be able to create incredible stories paired with nostalgic love for Godzilla. And even though there is a heavy focus on the characters we come across, they are what gives the story a heart and a soul. Godzilla is simply the one to keep the heart beating and the soul thriving in this magnificent monster of a film.
Samosa Rating:
Godzilla Minus One receives 4.5 out of 5 Samosas.
Godzilla Minus One is now playing in theaters.
Runtime: 2hr 4m
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