‘Godzilla Minus One’ Strikes Theatres

Image from Toho Co. Ltd.

Godzilla Minus One was the best film I have seen since Mad Max: Fury Road was released in theaters all the way back in 2015, and this was truly an experience I will not soon forget.

Not only is Godzilla Minus One a superb monster film, one of the best Godzilla films, it is also an emotionally riveting story of post-war recovery, comradery, and the internal battle of loss and grief.

Our film’s main character, Ensign Koichi Shikishima, battles a war not only for his home country of Japan but also within his heart and his mind, dealing with shame, grief, and PTSD from a war he was meant to die fighting in for that country and its people. Koichi’s emotional depth and internal conflicts cast a nuanced and positive perspective on the complexities of masculinity and societal expectations of men.

Though Godzilla comes rearing out of the sea to destroy all life, this film stays grounded in a realistic and human post-World War II Japan where people band together despite their previous perceptions and differences to take care of one another and save their beloved home. The grace and compassion shown as tragedy ensues could teach us all a lesson after the recent years of divisive media blasting us with hateful messages constantly.

The story is handled in such a way that not only was I riveted to the edge of my seat, but I was nearly in tears a handful of times throughout the film. And yet, the intimacy of the narrative never overshadows the epic scale of Godzilla and his immense atomic power, almost as if the producers wanted to show the U.S. how to make a proper Godzilla film. We are treated to some of the most intense visuals I have witnessed since Fury Road and the preceding Japanese Godzilla film, Shin Godzilla, and that’s quite impressive considering this new film was made with a $15 million budget! I am so happy I ventured out to see this despite the moviegoing experience becoming so overwhelmingly diluted by corporate giant studios such as Disney and its relentless churning of “Marvel” and “Star Wars” spectacles. I am so grateful that Godzilla Minus One was given an extended run so that I could experience it.

I recommend that everyone to go see this and show the industry we want more films like this with real art, soul, and substance.

Also of note: On Dec. 16, 2023, actor Kenpachiro Satsuma, who donned the iconic Godzilla suit starting in 1984 during the Heisei era of the series, passed away due to complications with pneumonia.

His career began with humble roles in 1960s samurai features, embracing iconic roles that defined an era of film. However, in the 1970s he started his legendary monstrous career alongside Godzilla as memorable foes Gigan and Hedorah.

Satsuma was 76 years old and left an indelible legacy and will be missed by many the world over, his work to be cherished for decades and centuries to come.