Godzilla Minus One Review - AN EPIC MASTERPIECE
Our tale is led by Kichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki), a former Kamikaze pilot who first confronts Godzilla, in a more dinosaur-like form, in 1945 on Odo Island during World war II's last days. After barely escaping that confrontation alive, Kichi returns to tokyo to find it in ruins from US firebombings, as if the atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki weren't enough. Kichi's parents were both killed in the air strikes, and his house is now nothing but ruins. Kichi is shunned and burdened with survivor's guilt as a kamikaze pilot who failed to accomplish his duty to his nation by offering his life "honorably" in war. On top of that, his horrific memories of Godzilla haunt him every night. Nonetheless, he makes every effort to move on and contribute to the reconstruction of postwar Japan.
All of this progress is jeopardized when Godzilla resurdata-faces in a more powerful form as a result of the United States' nuclear experiments at Bikini Atoll. And what happens when you demolish Ground Zero? One less. Takashi Yamazaki's film is a monument to the Japanese people's historical tenacity. Following WWII, one of the biggest catastrophes in human history, japan is now confronted with something considerably more inexplicable: Godzilla. Yamazaki's portrayal of the titular giant is a powerful force of nature. This Gojira has a more conventional appearance, combining design aspects from numerous great films. Though he is just 50.1 metres tall, which was the monster's average height during the Shwa Era (1954-1975), Godzilla remains as terrifying as ever. There's no cause for his rage; he's a deformed wild beast who must account for humans.
The brunt of Godzilla's fury falls on the working class, with the US declining to assist in order to prevent increasing tensions with the Soviet Union and the Japanese government working overtime on damage control. With no other choices, the villagers decide to stop the beast on their own. We focus on a citizen-led campaign comprised exclusively of volunteers who previously served in the Japanese Navy during WWII. Godzilla Minus One excels as an immersive period piece because of the ensemble-driven plot, with Kichi's path as a former Kamikaze pilot fighting survivor's guilt at the center. This is how Yamazaki's film distinguishes itself from other Godzilla stories. In the cast of Godzilla Minus One, no role is too minor. While Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe drive the film's core and provide it with a powerful beating heart, the supporting cast truly raises the tension.
In terms of action, however, Godzilla Minus One will leave fans well-satisfied. Yamazaki's visual scale is huge and frequently innovative in unexpected ways, leaving viewers thinking, "I can't believe we haven't seen anything like this before." The film does not hold back in depicting the horror of Godzilla's destruction. It all adds up to a great sight that you will remember for the rest of your life. Yamazaki is noted for heading visual effects teams on his productions while having a background in both live-action and animation. Yamazaki's VFX work in Godzilla Minus One is remarkable, working with studio Shirogumi, with the totally CGI Godzilla constantly retaining a real screen presence. Yamazaki's most awe-inspiring pictures are brought to life with a remarkable combination of actual sets and VFX, illustrating that hollywood isn't necessarily the source of the finest cinematic breakthroughs.
With jaw-dropping sequences like Godzilla chasing a small wooden boat in the middle of the ocean or charging up and firing his signature atomic breath on the level of a Dragon Ball Z spirit bomb (yes, seriously), Godzilla Minus One isn't just an incredible kaiju film, but one of the best films of the year, period. The rare examples of fan service come from composer Naoki Sat's operatic music, in which he chose to reintroduce akira Ifukube's legendary Godzilla theme. Although this is frequent in Toho's Godzilla flicks, Godzilla Minus One makes excellent use of the famous tune.
Takashi Yamazaki, the writer-director, has crafted a new classic that puts the majority of recent hollywood blockbusters to shame. This story of ordinary folks banding together to overcome adversity tugs at the emotions and strikes a powerful chord in today's society.
Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All of this progress is jeopardized when Godzilla resurdata-faces in a more powerful form as a result of the United States' nuclear experiments at Bikini Atoll. And what happens when you demolish Ground Zero? One less. Takashi Yamazaki's film is a monument to the Japanese people's historical tenacity. Following WWII, one of the biggest catastrophes in human history, japan is now confronted with something considerably more inexplicable: Godzilla. Yamazaki's portrayal of the titular giant is a powerful force of nature. This Gojira has a more conventional appearance, combining design aspects from numerous great films. Though he is just 50.1 metres tall, which was the monster's average height during the Shwa Era (1954-1975), Godzilla remains as terrifying as ever. There's no cause for his rage; he's a deformed wild beast who must account for humans.
The brunt of Godzilla's fury falls on the working class, with the US declining to assist in order to prevent increasing tensions with the Soviet Union and the Japanese government working overtime on damage control. With no other choices, the villagers decide to stop the beast on their own. We focus on a citizen-led campaign comprised exclusively of volunteers who previously served in the Japanese Navy during WWII. Godzilla Minus One excels as an immersive period piece because of the ensemble-driven plot, with Kichi's path as a former Kamikaze pilot fighting survivor's guilt at the center. This is how Yamazaki's film distinguishes itself from other Godzilla stories. In the cast of Godzilla Minus One, no role is too minor. While Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe drive the film's core and provide it with a powerful beating heart, the supporting cast truly raises the tension.
In terms of action, however, Godzilla Minus One will leave fans well-satisfied. Yamazaki's visual scale is huge and frequently innovative in unexpected ways, leaving viewers thinking, "I can't believe we haven't seen anything like this before." The film does not hold back in depicting the horror of Godzilla's destruction. It all adds up to a great sight that you will remember for the rest of your life. Yamazaki is noted for heading visual effects teams on his productions while having a background in both live-action and animation. Yamazaki's VFX work in Godzilla Minus One is remarkable, working with studio Shirogumi, with the totally CGI Godzilla constantly retaining a real screen presence. Yamazaki's most awe-inspiring pictures are brought to life with a remarkable combination of actual sets and VFX, illustrating that hollywood isn't necessarily the source of the finest cinematic breakthroughs.
With jaw-dropping sequences like Godzilla chasing a small wooden boat in the middle of the ocean or charging up and firing his signature atomic breath on the level of a Dragon Ball Z spirit bomb (yes, seriously), Godzilla Minus One isn't just an incredible kaiju film, but one of the best films of the year, period. The rare examples of fan service come from composer Naoki Sat's operatic music, in which he chose to reintroduce akira Ifukube's legendary Godzilla theme. Although this is frequent in Toho's Godzilla flicks, Godzilla Minus One makes excellent use of the famous tune.
Takashi Yamazaki, the writer-director, has crafted a new classic that puts the majority of recent hollywood blockbusters to shame. This story of ordinary folks banding together to overcome adversity tugs at the emotions and strikes a powerful chord in today's society.
Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐