I think everyone here knows I am a big Godzilla fan with strong preference to the Japanese (Toho) films but still okay with the Monsterverse. So when Toho returned to making Gojira films in 2016 with the superb Shin Godzilla I was quite happy. Then, however, there was no follow up for years (because they wanted to avoid too much interference with the Monsterverse) and it began to make one wonder when the next Japanese offering would be. Well, we got it this year with Godzilla Minus One.
So how is it? Pretty darned good I will say!
The story here is pretty straightforward and is a romance of sorts mixed with a character arc for the lead character where he deals with PTSD, feelings of cowardice and other elements., His background is essential - he was a Kamikaze pilot near the end of WW2 who "chickened out". The film is set right after the war more or less. What is interesting is this is a very human story with compelling characters. It is actually a smaller scale story and Godzilla is the backdrop that drives some of its elements. And it works well.
SFX wise this 15 million dollar budget film embarrasses Hollywood films with 15 or more times the budget. It looks SHARP. Watching this will REALLY make you question why on earth the Hollywood films cost so much more.
Minus One and Shin Godzilla are like two pillars showing Toho has become much better at making quality films than Hollywood. They take the same character and tell two distinctly different and quality stories using Godzilla - one is a deeply personal level story and the other a weighty and pointed commentary on the entire system of doing things (ESPECIALLY government) in Japan.
So how is it? Pretty darned good I will say!
The story here is pretty straightforward and is a romance of sorts mixed with a character arc for the lead character where he deals with PTSD, feelings of cowardice and other elements., His background is essential - he was a Kamikaze pilot near the end of WW2 who "chickened out". The film is set right after the war more or less. What is interesting is this is a very human story with compelling characters. It is actually a smaller scale story and Godzilla is the backdrop that drives some of its elements. And it works well.
SFX wise this 15 million dollar budget film embarrasses Hollywood films with 15 or more times the budget. It looks SHARP. Watching this will REALLY make you question why on earth the Hollywood films cost so much more.
Minus One and Shin Godzilla are like two pillars showing Toho has become much better at making quality films than Hollywood. They take the same character and tell two distinctly different and quality stories using Godzilla - one is a deeply personal level story and the other a weighty and pointed commentary on the entire system of doing things (ESPECIALLY government) in Japan.
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