Further thoughts on Godzilla Minus One. Spoilers included. #godzillaminusone #godzilla #godzillaxkong Initial Review (No Spoilers) - • Godzilla Minus One - T... Extensive Review (Spoilers) - • Godzilla Minus One: Re...
My wife who worked in the funeral business, told me that the reason for Godzillas stiffness is because individuals who underwent radiation exposure had alot of the softer tissue, like in the joints degrade. This created in the survivors a stiffness similar to rigor mortis. This kinda makes sense as godzilla was originally designed to look like a radiated burn victim, and that he takes damage from each time he uses his atomic breath/heat ray.
@@BigActionBill Of course 👍. While I like your mutant theory, especially if any sequels decide to go with the monstery movies like the the ones from the 70s-80s or those recent anime/Netflix ones, I do think (though I can't confirm) that blood toxicity spreads through the veins similar to the girls neck at the end. Either way. Thank you for your hard work on these videos and we had been waiting excitedly for you to release them as to see what your thoughts and theories were, and eventually a deep dive just like your other videos. Keep it up my dude! 😎👍
Not only that but Godzilla spends the majority of its life underwater where it won't be under the same forces of gravity that it would be on land. So he would most certainly feel much heavier and much more awkward trying to carry that gigantic body on land under the full force of gravity.
My wife is not a Godzilla fan at all, and she views much of it as quite silly. However after it was over, without any prompting from me, she said "That was the best movie I've seen in years!" What kind of crazy universe are we in when a film about a rampaging giant dinosaur would touch my wife's heart??? For me personally, that shared moment of enthusiasm with my spouse makes 'Minus One' the BEST of all the Godzilla films ever! 🙂
@aaron, I like a few Kong movies - especially the first one and Peter Jackson's adaptation. But I was never a great Godzilla fan, although I thought that Gareth Edwards' movie was okay. Whatever, l hadn't planned to watch "Godzilla Minus One". I had been fooled once when I watched "Shin Godzilla" because of all the praise. But I was totally disappointed and quite bored by that movie, although it's intentions were laudable. And Japanese people experience that movie differently because of the row of natural and man-made disasters in 2011, when the reactions of the government were less than sufficient. But I thought that "Shin Godzilla's" way to tell the movie's story was atrocious. But to my great suprise I loved "Godzilla Minus One"! I didn't even think that the CGI is as great as many reviewers said. I didn't mind, though, since the story and the whole cast is great! I was thoroughly moved.
I feel like I’m in another dimension, because I would have never thought people would be having a Godzilla movie as movie of the year; and that makes me happy.
I went and saw it with my buddy in Imax the other day. He's not a big Godzilla fan - he just comes along to humor me when there's a new one out. He really enjoyed this one, and it makes me happy that other people are responding positively to this entry
I like to think that Honda, Tanaka, Tsuburaya and Ifukube are all looking down from beyond at what Yamazaki has accomplished... and they are all SMILING. Someone finally brought their vision of G to life without the threat of being blacklisted from the industry.
I agree with this except I personally think that Tsuburaya the same man who ultimately steered Godzilla into the more family-friendly anthromorphized Kaiju would have hated Minus One due to how dark and disturbing Minus One is. He would have hated the sight of Godzilla basically dead even if it was for a brief moment.
@@logandupay9596I dunno. Tsubaraya did Ultra Q, a hard sci-fi TV series with kaijus, and some of the episodes were somber. Of course, he made Ultraman, who was more "kids' friendly", but Ultraseven was a little more dark. Still, kids' friendly, sure, but more somber than Ultraman.
I love how at the end when Godzilla blasts that decoy ship, and then the navy guys look at each other like "WTF?!?! THATS HIS HEAT RAY?!?! We can't fight this we'll all die!" And the doctor says no that's part of the plan cause he needs to recharge. And that pause... Then the leader says let's do it, and that music starts playing... ITS SO GOOD!!!!!! The way they built that tension, and you know of course they're going to fight but still that pause, it makes the stakes so high and the fact a lot of them had not seen the heat ray yet, it all just hits so well and really puts you there! And I was rooting like "come on you guys can do this!" By that point they had built up the whole positivity (like how the captain says we need a miracle whether we do something or not, might as well do our best) thing so well and I was so pissed at Godzilla for killing Noriko(seemingly). And for them to then decide to follow thru and then the decision to play that music right as the 2 ships deploy and the battle starts.... My God, my God. I can't put into words how good that moment is! They built the battle with a prelude almost like introducing the contenders and then the music is like the bell ringing in a boxing match. So hyped!! I love this movie so much. Nothing I've seen in the last 10 or 15 years comes even close to how good this movie was. I saw it 3 times now, enjoyed it every time 😁
I’ve also see it three times and am hoping a fourth viewing is possible before too long. Yes that scene was powerful. The whole movie is just amazing. Movie of the Year for me.
Ngl I've been looking on RU-vid just to see that scene again 😅 Perfectly described it. As soon as the music came on (the way the tension was built up prior), literal *chills* down my spine.
I totally agree with the parts you point out and the music. And the music for the scene where the battleship unfolds in two directions on screen is chilling and moving. The complete soundtrack is available on RU-vid, but the music that starts around the 40th minute is on hard repeat!
A note about Goji's damage, every hit he takes in movie heals and leaves a scar. The sea mine Shikishima sets off in his mouth, the impacts from Takao's guns etc. By the last battle he is covered in scars and looking pretty gnarly. And then he takes more damage from being dropped to the bottom of the ocean and violent decompression. I got a bit of GMK vibe from him then, with his white eyes he looked demonic. I hope corridor crew revisits Minus 1 and gives a break down of that scene. My gut reaction as a layman who watches their videos is its probably a combination of practical and CGI. Things are rarely 100% one or the other anymore.
I think one reason why this movie is being received so well is because it does something so simple, which is tell a good story. It is not just a good story, but it has a universal message that everyone can understand and relate to.
I like to think that the scene where Godzilla looks up to the mushroom cloud and roars in victory is to finally have Godzilla exact the same pain he felt when bathed in the fire of an atomic bomb. His retribution is getting even and going, “Well I’m huuuuge now, might as well establish more turf.”
Hu?? When did the small Godzilla from Odo Island battle a bomb? I think it grew to such gigantic proportions and acquired it's atomic ray because it was affected by the fallout of the US test bombs. There is no indication in this movie that Godzilla suffered. The suffering idea is from "Shin Godzilla"! I wouldn't over-interpret Godzilla's body language in this movie. A lot of it might not be intentional, since the limited CGI budget was an issue. Maybe, Godzilla is supposed to look satisfied because it was fun to try out this newly acquired destructive weapon 😉 Godzilla's rampages are kind of arbitrary. Unlike Kong it isn't a very intelligent monster, altough it is more powerful than the big gorilla. That's why I don't like the set-up of Godzilla vs. Kong. It's ludicous to assume that an ape, no matter how big he is, can survive to be blasted by Godzilla's breath. I know, I know, these creatures aren't real - but a bit of in-universe consistency is never a bad thing 😊
A very small moment in the film resonated with me, and continues to a good week after seeing the movie occurred during the attack in Ginza when we see the first after affects of the heat ray. A women watches the rising mushroom cloud and says almost in a whisper. "Please not again"
This movie was amazing especially as it’s the first time I’ve been able to see a Japanese Godzilla film in the theater. Going to see it again Tuesday and I’m even more excited the second time around!
I really, really hope it gets a sequel. I don’t know what direction it should go, there’s some hints of Yamazaki liking mothra and the Heisei science shit given Norikos neck at the end, but god I hope Toho sees how popular it is and makes more. I don’t want Japanese Godzilla to be one offs every 5 years.
I like the open ending. it's a good stand alone. I think the sequel, if there is one should be more of an anthology set in different times and places in Japan perhaps even with other monsters tied to either historic events or allegory for other things like the cold war. I.e. Japan's reaction to being stuck between two fighting monsters (the U.S. and Soviets) while at an economic boom in their history.
I disagree, is a movie that pretty much ended, and to have a continuation based on success can be rough and probably end up ruining arcs and characters. Like the original Godzilla and Shin Godzilla it feels like a cohesive story.
I've seen it twice now. And both showings are so good, so emotional. This really is one of my all time favorites already. Definitely getting the physical copy of this.
Talking about the score, “Resolution” is an incredible track, especially when the choir kicks in. It’s the on that plays while Skikishima is luring Godzilla back out to sea. To me, it just sounds like what would happen if you were to convert the idea of redemption into musical notes. It’s triumphant as all hell.
FYI, in regards to the decompression plan taking to long, you normally would need hours, maybe even days, to properly and slowly decompress from being as deep as Godzilla was, especially for something as large as him. Even if it took an hour to get the tugboats pulling, raising Godzilla to the surface after being so deep only an hour before would still do massive damage to him.
I loved the final battle and the whole live arc that Koichi goes through, especially with the whole ejection seat. I thought Tachibana was telling him that the ejection seat bar was the bomb fuse, which of course is later shown to be the fuse, but that he actually told him about the lever. I especially loved the whole thing with Doc being caught between knowing what needs to happen, but having issues with convincing them to follow. The plan part and the decoy boats. Also, the captain telling koichi to not orphan Akiko... It was so good.
The idea that -1 doesn’t have stuff to say about WW2 and Japan/America is absolutely insane to me. It’s pretty obvious that the film is saying hey, war is tragic and bad no matter how it got started because no matter what, good innocent lives are lost senselessly. I don’t think it needs to spell it out super overtly, it gives the politics juuuust enough time without pulling away from the more important character themes. Godzilla was attacking Japan BEFORE he was even mutated. You could almost read that Godzilla was after vengeance for Japans side of the war. (Don’t forget the director has said that GMK is his favorite Godzilla film, and that is extremely explicit about Godzilla being angry for Japans past crimes in WW2). Then later, a literal nuclear blast goes off and it’s the most overkill violent thing ever and it’s tragic, and it’s like Hey, maybe America did a really horrible thing in retaliation to Japans actions. Like characters outright say that America AND Japans governments can’t be trusted by the common good people and that they need to come together as a stronger better community that values life and opposes war. I think that Americans are so used to being hit over the head with a bat about messaging in films lately that they forgot how to extrapolate and come up with their own opinions from clues/breadcrumbs. And it’s not like this is a super subtle art film about it either. But wow, -1 is beautiful. The more important themes about trauma/affirming life, and coming together in bad times, that’s what is really powering this wonderful film.
Couldn't agree more. Above all, I watch a movie of this type to be entertained and not to be politically lectured. The emphasis on character development and personal redemption made this an incredibly moving film. As much as I love the big G, I actually found myself rooting for the humans.
I've been a Godzilla fan since seeing the original on VHS when I was 7 years old and this movie is absolutely stunning. It's terrifying, heartbreaking, thrilling and mesmerizing all at once. It's the only time since the original that I would call a kaiju movie a cinematic masterpiece.
another thing to note is the Japanese naval destroyers and the Takao are actually the very few ships in the Japanese naval that survived WW2. the four destroyers are Yukikaze Hibiki Yūkaze Keyagi and heavy cruiser Takio. one of the destroyers his its name in english, and the capt of the destroyer is shown as well. all survivors of WW2, the people and the ships and even the plane.
I'm a massive history buff love to read about history and have spent years reading anything and everything I can find and I will just say this about the whole Imperial Japan issue and the horrific war crimes commented anyone who thinks any group should be held responsible as a whole for the actions of a few within it needs to take a long step back and think and read a bit about their own history if we truly look far enough back every last human being on this planet is connected to a group that has done something horrible to another group at one time or another none of us is 100% innocent and none of us deserve to be held responsible for the crimes of our ancestors or governments
James, I am German, and people from my grandparents' generation have committed even more atrocious crimes against humanity than Imperial Japan. And I consider my generation very lucky that the war in Europe ended before the atomic bomb was ready! Otherwise it would've been dropped on Berlin, and today's Europe wouldn't exist in it's current form. I fully agree with you that we should not condemn a whole group of people because a few members committed terrible crimes. I never felt guilty just because I am German. However, Hitler's Third Reich worked so well because too many people cooperated. And I suspect that this was the case in Japan, too. Many war crimes have been committed by common soldiers. We shouldn't condemn everybody - but our history should be acknowledged and not be forgotten! German directors who make movies which are set in Germany shortly after the end of WWII, always acknowledge the political situation, even if the movie doesn't have any kind of deeper message and is for kids and adults. Apparently the same isn't true for Japanese directors, although "Godzilla Minus One" does have a very subtle subtext which criticizes the mentality of Imperial Japan. Is that enough?
The entire film is a commentary/crtiique of Imperial Japan AND the United States' actions (inactions) post WWII. I am baffled how ANYONE could miss this. There is literally dialogue saying the US won't help because they don't want to create more tension with Russia. This movie is absolutely brilliant. And I am SO GLAD it wasn't a Godzilla VS movie...those are fun. They have their place. I love some of them. But I am so happy they went back to the roots and made THIS film. And I sort of hope there isn't a sequel. I don't know how they could follow up on it this well. Sometimes a stand alone really is all we need.
Yup, I think when people hear “1940s postwar Japan” they get tunnel vision and expect commentary about the atomic bombs or other controversial topics. Meanwhile the movie delivered some great commentary on other topics.
The US story, that they wanted to avoid running afoul of the Soviets, sounds like a pretext. Godzilla had already mauled a number of US ships. The US simply wanted to avoid further damage.
Tbh, I personally thought Godzilla’s stiff movement was intentionally done to still have that guy in a suit feel, even if it is CG. Idk, maybe an interview will come up and I’ll be wrong on this, but both Shin and Minus One doing it makes it feel intentional to me. I do agree about the Ginza attack being a bit longer though. It was a fantastic sequence, but it did feel like it ended a little early. Wanted to see Godzilla do more damage to buildings and whatnot.
Just saw minus 1 with my 12 year old daughter. It is far and away the best Godzilla movie ever made. No one has been able to mix the Kaiju storyline and human storyline so well.
Watching minus one again today for the 5th time but in 4DX for the first time. Im still super excited to watch it again and even on the 4th time, I still get goose bumps. It’s so good.
I attended my 5th screening today as well! never expected in a year of films like Killers of the Flower Moon, The Boy and The Heron, Oppenheimer, Anatomy of a Fall, etc that a Godzilla film would end up being one of my favorites of the year but it's just so good 🤌
The mark on Norikos neck not only moves, but it transforms into the shape of Godzillas spine. She definitely has some sorta Godzilla mutation/DNA thing going on - The reason the tug boats had to come help in the first place is because Godzilla chews through the air bags that were helping to bring him up. Thus more force was needed to replace what was lost. Some people missed that
I just hope that the filmmakers don't do some weird thing like her transforming into some creature, that would really turn me off should a sequel happen. The way I see it is she must have a mutation now that allowed her to regenerate from the injuries she sustained in Ginza. It's no coincidence that mark appears on her neck and it then cuts to a piece of Godzilla's flesh regenerating. Whether this potential mutation will cause her to die or not on a molecular level may be explored in a sequel.
@@JarMar3296 I hope Noriko doesn't die. (Again, lol) At the very least, it could be an allegory for Hibakusha, or scarred survivors of the atom bombs. And some of these people have survived to an old age, to my knowledge.
they did comment on the actions of Japan during the war. The survivors mentioned about Japanese government lying, keeping news quite, and that they was throwing away their lives for nothing, there was only about 3 or 4 lines dialog but there some mention by the WW2 survivors about japan governments and military throwing away the peoples lives.
I like to think the mark in Noriko's neck is mutated Godzilla DNA from the black rain. If you see, the mark moves not like a solid (so not Godzilla's flesh) but as a liquid or a gas. And it then got into her head injury and she was about to die, but it saved her, hence why aside the bandages, she looks fine.
I'd be fine with that approach if that's what they do, I just don't want her to turn into some weird creature or monster that would be totally out of tone with what was established in this movie.
It being anything other than radiation sickness just feels like one bridge to far. If that is your intention than you need to drop SOME sort of more obvious hint than the tenuous things actually in the movie. It's also just a terrible idea and I hate it.
It could just be radiation affecting her the same way it affected godzilla, and it would be internally consistent. The reason it only happens to her is just “it doesn’t happen to everything that gets radiation poisoning, but there is a small chance, as we saw with Godzilla.” I don’t know where people get this “godzilla’s dna” idea
Watched it for my third time recently and was planning on making my first video ever on it. I wanted to touch on things I haven't seen talked about yet and one big thing was it feeling like a stage play and I'm glad you got to it in this!
Yamazaki said that the final battle was done in a studio with cranes. The first boat encounter is a practical scene done at the ocean. He said the reason why their skin tone was so ill looking was because everyone during the small boat scene was seasick, including Yamazaki and all the actors. So it is likely it is practical effect. However it is entirely possible its a hybrid effect with a mock prop and CGI layered on top of it. Yamazaki wanted to completely eliminate the presence of the government and US forces because of Shin Gojira. Since that movie was a movie focused on the country vs Gojira story. To "oppose" it or compete with it, he created a story that was the civilians vs Gojira. Which explains why we see almost no government and US except to spice up Gojira's power. Yamazaki did a podcast style interview which he explained in more detail about the production side. Fun fact, Yamazaki had to learn CGI himself for the rural scenes, because he ended up having to create the CGI trees because no one wanted to do it. Also Takao was supposed to be decomissioned and sunk a year prior according to history, but Yamazaki loved the ship so much that he "bended" history for it to show up in the movie. But the Shinden aircraft was legit and pretty accurate to history.
I understand the artistic logic of wanting to focus on the people fighting Godzilla to save their country but it’s a little goofy that U.S. forces were largely ignored and cast aside. Right up until the end of the occupation in 1952, up to a million Allied (mostly US) troops would cycle through Japan to help reinforce the occupation. The movie hand waving the lack of US intervention as “they don’t want to make the Soviets nervous” falls flat when by that point in time, we already had probably hundreds of thousands of troops in-country, MacArthur drafted a new constitution for Japan, and we conducted the Operation Crossroads nuclear test the year prior. So the Soviets are ok with US troops occupying Japan but the U.S. taking military action against Godzilla (a common threat shared by everyone) is suddenly too much?
@@andezong9565 I totally share that point of view, but I just think that a movie with a giant, nuke spitting lizard can differ from real history a bit and still be fine ;)
I like your channel a lot. The biggest thing I took from this movie was how socially different Japan is today then they were even back in 1954 where Godzilla ended with a noble suicide that was seen as heroic. 70 years later and the primary message of Godzilla is how life is precious and shouldn't be thrown away even in the face of something as destructive as Godzilla.
This is a great point - Doc’s speech about life being valued too cheaply is the main thesis of the movie IMO. A great contrast to the original film! Which is still fantastic, and I love a good sacrifice story, but it’s nice to see a hopeful message, too.
It won’t ruin the whole movie for me if the ending has implication of Godzilla’s cells. But still, I would prefer a more realistic approach, like radiation poisoning.
0:57 I love that mug shot of Godzilla. The only thing missing is the scale of inches, or feet, or mts. behind him. (for all we know he should hit it at at 50.1 mts).
The delay of having to lash the tugboats to the destroyers is partly why the decompression wasn't enough to do the job on its own. The G-man was able to hang out at 800 meters down for probably a half hour or so, which would have made the decompression he dealt with much less once the boats dragged him all the way to the surface. They had to get him there or Shikishima's attack wouldn't have been possible, but I also think his attack might not have been QUITE enough without the 800 meters worth of decompression damage and the fact that the Heat Ray had been interrupted right as it was about to go.
6:28 I was thinking that the burning spots after the breath were focused around the parts that had been exploded by the sea mine in the boat sequence. The brightest spots seemed to be focused there. It looks like there's some scarring / discoloring in that region the whole movie. Edit: My wish list includes taking some of the movie profits and extending the Ginza scene by a few minutes for the physical release.
Bro the speculation that ran rampant on Godzilla reddit was insane! People were looking at Goji’s scarred face and claiming he was being beaten by another kaiju. I never saw that being a reality, but I’ve definitely seen those same people being frustrated about being wrong.
I hate the discussion about the girl getting Godzilla cells and powers, due to that mark on her neck. That mark was literally a metaphor for radiation. That's it.
@@transformersrevenge9 The whole Godzilla cells/DNA theory would (in a silly way) explain how Noriko survived the blast after Godzilla's atomic breath tho. There is no surviving that without some fantastical intervention. That's not to say I 100% support this theory, but it would make the most sense at explaining how she got to live. I personally don't think it needs explaining, and that the only reason Noriko lives is because the characters in this film suffer a lot and the audience cares enough for them that there really should be some emotional payoff. Not having some sort of happy ending in a film that was already really dark to begin with likely would've left a sour taste in the movie-goers mouths, even if the happy ending bent the rules of reality a bit.
@@VictusPrime It worked in theory. A lot of this movie is metaphorical. Godzilla and the MC meet entirely too often and have a rivalry because Godzilla symbolizes his wartime ptsd and guilt. And his gf surviving is a reward for him not doing a suicide run.
@@transformersrevenge9 can’t say “literally a metaphor” though since no official word has come out, and therefore that’s just your interpretation. My interpretation (as much as others dislike it) is that Godzilla’s molecules/cells that were found peppered across Ginza after his rampage embedded themselves in Noriko (and possibly others??) and it was just enough to begin healing her. It literally pulsates and moved under her skin, taking on a loose shape of Godzilla’s dorsal plates. Personal headcanon: it’s not so intense that it’ll save her from old age or death, but it will act as a healing agent throughout her life to any injury or illness. She can definitely still die. Again, all my interpretation, and after the emotional rollercoaster of a film, as much as it may not make sense or undercut the more emotional resonance of Shikishima’s arc, I’m glad we got a cheesy happy ending. I NEEDED that.
@@austingilles6263 well, your interpretation is based on literally nothing too. Godzilla cells were never mentioned in minus one canon. Only thing mentioned was that there is intense radiation in the attack site, and that they need to remove all chunks of Godzilla. It was never established that the nuclear horror that makes Godzilla regenerate, can make other lifeforms regenerate too. My interpretation is also not confirmed, but I'm going on 70 years of feanchise history. What is Godzilla? An atomic bomb. What makes an atomic bomb so evil? The fact that even after the explosion is over, the dangerous radiation is still about, making people sick. The characters of Minus one got a delightfully happy ending. But I interpreted the scar that's somewhat hidden from him, as an ominous note. It's not something that heals her, it's the lingering radiation that they will have to worry about. She survived miraculously, but getting sick is a price for her survival. The big atomic bomb is gone, but it's after effects still remain.
I've only seen the movie once, but am I misremembering a scene where Shikishima reads a letter from his family hoping for him to come home, and that's what truly stopped him from completing his kamikazi mission? I saw the character as more dedicated to his family than the mission. Did that scene happen or did I misread a subtitle?
The composer also did the music for the live action Rurouni Kenshin films, which is where I know his work from. Those movies are excellent, btw. Well worth a look
For Shin Godzilla’s walk, they hired well-known Kyogen (traditional comedic play) actor Mansai Nomura to do the motion capture. He was dragging some weights and walked kind of like how a stage actor would in certain contexts in a play, which gave Godzilla that stiff, uncanny movement.
Couple of thoughts after my second viewing: Tachibana being the one to give Shikishima both physical rescue in the form of the eject seat and emotional absolution with his instruction of “live” is just peak storytelling. What a great connection there and a great arc for a side character. I’ve been wondering if Godzilla would have survived his own heat ray blast after sustaining so much damage from rapid decompression. The way his body fragments with the beams of blue light erupting at various points makes me think not.
So glad you're getting vindication, I've only just found your channel but your i appreciate your videos, especially the history of series, more than i can say.
@@KardboardKenny Oh great we got a boomer who forgot toho has been switching back and forth between godzilla's 2 roles/themes 💀, manchild how is toho superior when legendary is adapting the other side to godzilla's character toho has also done?
@@Kaiju-bm4ts says the millennial who can't decide what bathroom to use or what secks you are. and by the way, i Gen X, another example that you're lack of common knowledge is showing. get you're 304 or a mom to wipe your azz, while you're at it.
Bill - your videos never disappoint. Great details and observations as always. It always make my day to see a new video posted by you. AND to hear you were as nuts about Minus One as I was when I walked out of the theater 🙂
I really like how the film has gotten loads of notoriety even from non Godzilla fans. Like even on Letterbox which has a lot of film snobs have praised it
You see? Even Jets fans can have a happy Xmas. And I love seeing BAB growing into the Godzillian version of the Critical Drinker. "There's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for..."
I attributed his stiffness to him being on land for the first time in his new irradiated body and not being as comfortable in his skin compared to being in the water. Tho I don't remember if the map chatting his movements showed that he's come ashore before Ginza. Also, I've learned a lot about Imperial Japan from reviews I've watched, and I think besides not wanting to tread old ground that 1954 was more overtly about, there's a lot more personal things that Japan went thru not revolving around America and over nations like the military overthrowing the more western influenced leaders and what effect that had on the culture. I really liked getting the personal aftermath of the war in general and not just the atomic bombs. And that stood out to me even more so since I decided to watch Oppenheimer for the first time a couple days before I saw Minus One cause I had the expectation of the movie being another nuclear weapons commentary.
@5:25 You weren’t the only one! Me and my friend were pumping our fists in the air when the theme started booming as they set their plan in motion. What a great film. We saw it last night and it has just stuck with me since I walked out of that theater.
Great in depth analysis bro! I loved the Gmk references, Yamazaki is definitely a fan. I'd say that particular scene was practical but I hope we get an official report. What a time to be a G-fan too! If someone would've told me that Godzilla would get critical acclaim 15 or so years ago I wouldn't have believed it lol. I really hope that they get Yamazaki to write and direct a sequel and they explain Noriko's mark
I love both Minus One and Shin equally, and I think it's really cool how two drastically different movies come from the same franchise and would look almost identical boiled down to a super simple plot synopsis. It really shows the flexibility of Godzilla as a concept and how adequately skilled filmmakers can make a giant radioactive lizard the foundations of just about any genre and/or tone.
Wanna say thanks for you channel. Found it looking up -1 reviews and your making of series are really good and thorough. Im turning notifs on for your stream.
I watched it in the theater yesterday, i had to try not to cry a few different times. You could remove Godzilla and it’d still be great, the film was both well written/acted, and the Heisei looking Godzilla gave me plenty of nostalgia. Absolutely loved the movie, now i just have to decide if i like it more than Barbie (i’m literally Ken) I just have to say, the theme that men have to be willing to die to do what’s right was incredibly impactful and you couldn’t help but be scared for all of the veterans in the final scene, you desperately want nobody else to die by that point in the film
I just saw this movie with my brother today. Both of us longtime Godzilla fans. We both absolutely loved it. I couldn't help but imagine the feeling as I was watching this isn't too dissimilar to how people reacted to Godzilla 1954 back in the day. And maybe it's because it's still fresh in my mind and I'm kind of a sucker for the patchwork family aspect of the film, but I can't help but love this one even more. I don't think either is necessarily better than the other on an objective level. This was clearly a reimagining of the original rather than a straight up remake and both films had something different to say. Godzilla himself has never been so intimidating looking for me. I found myself instinctively moving my head up as he loomed overhead and seeing people running, getting stepped on and just stand there in utter disbelief at the carnage he was wreaking struck a chord within me. And the way his spines just go up and then back down like a hammer on a gun was such an amazing touch. And Shiki's scream. That scream man. Fantastic actor. And the final act was amazing. I was not expecting Shikishima and Noriko to both survive. I found myself saying "You better marry that girl right now!" in the middle of the theater. It was such an amazing film all around.
Hey, Bill (and everyone who wants to read this)! I loved this movie. Some friends like to watch reaction videos and choose one they like. These people doing the reaction laughed, I mean, really laughed and made fun of the main character for not being able to commit kamikaze. They laughed at the neighbor lady being upset with the main character. I just left after that. I refused to watch the rest of the reaction. This movie has a dark theme, just like the first Godzilla. And I really like that. He is a monster and is not {in this movie} anything to laugh at. Akiko was adorable, and I found the whole film to be fantastic. I watched it on Netflix once in the theater and twice (at the time of this writing). You couldn't be more right about this movie. But, then, we have to take into account the fact that I love Godzilla. Yes, some are campy and silly, but I still love them. Thank you for all the reviews. I watch them as I work daily. It is good that these are not on tape, or the tape would have broken by now. Thank you for the history parts as well. I'm a WWII history nut who researches it from the point of view of the Germans and the Japanese. So history is excellent with me. I do hope to see Shin Godzilla's review in the future. Thank you again. You rock!!
Appreciate the kind words and I’m glad you’re enjoying. Please keep me in check with my WW2 history haha, the more I make these videos the more I learn about the specifics on these wider topics.
Thank you for all your videos bill! Your channel is incredible. I have a suggestion. For maybe future videos. Maybe create an anthology series where you make videos based on other toho monsters. Or even us monsters. Examples like. War of the gargantuas, rodan. Gamera. Mystirians. Perhaps make them shorter videos. Just a suggestion for my favorite Godzilla channel. I listen to your videos every week!
That’s very kind, thank you for that. I was thinking of doing something like that, but first I have to finish 2014 before a riot starts lol. Again, thank you so much.
Some things I'd like to comment... 1. I have been watching BAB videos for over a year and just now realized I wasn't subscribed, so I apologize for that. Officially subbed. 2. I think the mouth shot is a practical prop of some kind. 3. As a pretty big Chris Nolan fan, his influence on this film is undeniable. And it works imo. The color grading and flight/ocean scenes are like Dunkirk. The ejection seat concept is very reminiscent of The Dark Knight rises. 4. My only major criticism that I haven't seen anyone else, that started to make me go "Oh come on AGAIN?" Is the number of times we have to watch the main character pass out and wake up later. Or just wake up in general. He passes out so many times it starts to border on parody. Outside of that this is nearly perfect film.
Great videos covering this movie man. Take your time with the 2014 movie, because I know it’s going to be great like all your other videos. Making a history of video that’s as long as the movie or even longer is a lot of content, so be sure to take it easy for a while once you send it out.
Let's go I'm an American and I haven't watched -1 im super sad and to make things worse I have a sore throat so everyone can put F in play respect for me if I die from this sore throat show Merry Christmas big action bill✌️
Hello, Big Action Bill just wanted to say how much I always appreciate your opinions and insights about Godzilla. When my friend and I went to watch Godzilla Minus One, we had an absolute blast.
I finally saw this in theaters and it was amazing. Truly a cinematic experience. I don't like most things and even things I like I criticize to a point people wouldn't think I like them. I have maybe 2 points of criticisms for minus one and they're essentially nitpicks. I loved this movie and it very reservedly became my favorite monster movie. The ending was what really blew my mind and pushed it up the ranks.
Saw it today in Switzerland Theater. I am positive about it. It has tension, Drama, very limited Humor. But all together its a damn good new age Godzilla Movie.
I’ve seen it 3 times now. Got back from the 3rd an hour ago. It’s my favorite Godzilla movie and my favorite movie of all time. As long as it’s still in theaters, I’ll keep seeing it.
I agree with your sentiment about the usage of music during the final battle. Seeing Yukikaze and Hibiki charge at Godzilla with the theme playing sure gets your blood pumping.
Yeah, another monster would have completely gotten in the way. This is about people vs. Godzilla. And Godzilla wants people dead. He's after people, they aren't just collateral damage.
Hoo, you also was in Hibiya during this year Godzilla Day 🙂just discovered your channel, really interesting videos, looking forwad to watch most of them!
Great video. I honestly felt the kaiju CGI looked better overall in this film than in the American films. Legendary’s CGI Kong was spectacular, but other Kaiju sequences I had a hard time seeing clearly and I assume that was intentional due to detail limitations of the CGI. The best (or worst) illustration of this being the Mothra larva in KOTM. My first impression when she emerged “wow!” but moments later “wait, I can’t really see her clearly”. To me Mothra in that film looked more like a partially perceived hallucination than a living creature. Stylistic choice? Maybe. But I prefer the almost practical model effects look of the kajiu in Minus One.
Legitimately the first movie that I left the theater in silence knowing words were not enough. I understand now why Japanese movie-goers give silence as their highest compliment. It honestly deserved it. Hail the king of the monsters!
My headcannon regarding the lack of American GIs in the film is that MacArthur knowing that they couldnt attack Godzilla without setting off Soviet Russia decided that pulling out all American soldiers and evacuating them was the best option. So no Americans in the Ginza attack. Just my theory
Great video. That movie was so spectacular! I also really appreciated seeing the Japanese people showing their respect to their defeated enemy at the end. They still hold their honor.
(Spoilers obviously) For me this movie is the second best Godzilla movie after 54. It's just that 1954 had the entire secondary plotline about Dr. Serizawa, that crossed over with the nuclear metaphor of Godzilla, and together those two plot lines warned us about the dangers of science. In Minus One, Godzilla is still a nuclear metaphor, but he is also a very personal and story driven metaphor for the main characters (and everyone elses) guilt from the war. Godzilla simply always finds the main character, and their confrontation had a beginning, middle and end. I appreciate it as a metaphor, but I can see someone saying that it's contrived. Minus One also seriously surprised me with how it didn't glorify the imperial japan. The entire movie had a very pro-life, pro-human. and anti-government tone. And the main character going into the wartime kamikazee mindset, only to at the last moment eject, was wonderful. Had he went full Kamikazee, this would have been a different movie. But still, the movie had a super happy ending. In such a somber and scary movie, it was interesting to see them lean so much into family, friendship, community, the people coming together, and the human spirit to overcome the darkest hour. It fit that it had such a happy ending. Well his gf has radiation poisoning (no, she doesn't have godzilla powers, that discussion is just dumb). I like the somber victory of 1954 more, because Serizawa's sacrifice was incredibly meaningful. But to each movie their own style. Overall, Minus one has some flaws, and yet I don't mind them. 1954 looked goofy as hell, and yet I respect it, so I can't criticize a 15 million dollar movie for having some so-so cgi moments. Speaking of the 15 million dollars, on that budget, they made a movie that absolutely blows 200+ million dollar movies out of the water. Making me think that budgets don't need to be so big in hollywood, and that more money doesn't mean better movie. Had they given Minus one 5 more million, I think it would have been completely polished. Anyway, my disjointed thoughts. Loved the movie. But I also hope the next one is another new project. But also also, I hope they stop doing the 1954 style serious solo movies. Twice was enough, and we got two good movies out of it. But these super serious Godzilla movies, that reuse the 1954 roars and music, will eventually get old. Next thing should be something different and new. Let Godzilla tackle another issue. Pollution is still around...
I like the idea that the Toho series could be about giving directors a chance to make each movie their own unique Godzilla movie. I'm sure Minus One will get a sequel but I prefer it out didn't, and another director gets to bring out their own vision and focus on storytelling even if it means a goofy monster mash, but done masterfully. God, I love Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster/Gojira vs. Hedorah and GvGigan for their post-psychedelic weirdness.
I just went to see Godzilla Minus One a second time (first time 11/29 on IMAX) as I wanted to take my 14 year old who couldn't go with me to see it that first time. She isn't a Godzilla fan but SHE loved this movie, and I found that a second viewing didn't diminish the impact of this film on me at all.
Oh no! I hope your history of godzilla 2014 will be back someday ! I was really enjoying it but didn't get through the entire video. I'm sad i can't continue it, but I think it's much worse for you to have to deal with this copyright non-sense. You have all my support !
The hype for this film is completely grassroots. The 98 was Pdiddy music videos and Taco Bell ads...a Taco Bell cup spoiled what Godzilla looked like one day before I saw the movie.
I enjoy your posts a great deal. After a second viewing I’m of the opinion that the pilot Shikishima actually followed through with his mission and died finally confronting Godzilla, and that the final family reunion in the hospital was in fact the dream of a deadman, which during his admission to Noriko of his failings during the war earlier in the film he passionately and openly wonders and questions… 😮
