The fact that i didnt care that godzilla wasnt on screen and eventually had dread when he was says so many things about this amazing film. 5 stars definitely earned in my opinion.
That can sum up Godzilla's role in this movie. Usually with the series it is something like: "Ah great, Godzilla is here...!" But with Minus One it was more akin to: "Oh f*ck, Godzilla is here..."
Tomoyuki Tanaka would be shocked that one day his creation would yield a film that global critics regard as better than contemporary big budget Hollywood films.
I notice that GMK inspired several aspects of Minus One: A primary character named Tachibana and the remains of a 'destroyed' Godzilla still living and slowly growing back.
I don't think words could describe the experience of seeing this movie in the theater. Hearing the Godzilla march blasting at full volume and his roars making whole room shake is an experience I'll never forget.
Yes, I went and saw it with my cousin who is just a big a fan as me. I go to the theater with my family at least once a month, and Minus One was by far the best experience of 2023.
Running the plane and bomb into his mouth while godzilla was powering up his heat breath was something the kamakaze pilot figured out on his own the doctor didnt even see this coming and he did it on perfect timing which kept godzilla from regenerating and healing his flesh and blew up his insides
One of the absolute greatest films this franchise has ever had and a phenomenal way to commemorate the King of the Monsters' 70th anniversary. It won the franchise its first ever Academy Award and it was well deserved. Really hoping they can keep this level of filmmaking and writing quality for the upcoming sequel.
Salute to Takashi Yamazaki for not only setting up a compelling human drama, but also distributing Godzilla's screen time so cleverly throughout the film that it never felt like we were getting deprived of Big G's majestic presence at any given moment. Yamazaki's respect for Godzilla lore is another thing that demands high praise from the Big G fans. Minus One is one of the rarest of Godzilla films where they brilliantly depicted the iconic Atomic breathe (Heat ray) of this radioactive giant lizard. Whenever Big G unleashes the heat ray, it thoroughly means the 'business'....and that's the business of destruction! The way they choreographed Godzilla's rampage in Ginza and particularly the ultimate moment when he delivered the heat ray is undoubtedly one of the most horrifyingly powerful moments in his 70-year-long history in cinema.
For me those moments where you said it "lags," I don't feel it does. We need those moments to give us a breather from Godzilla's rage. And yes, he has rage in this film. The scenes he's in are visceral and dangerous. You actually fear him. The two scenes with him that got me was the one where the Takao finally arrives and how they try to destroy him replete with the bell signalling their arrival, to the one when Godzilla rises up from the "bends" and he is in full on vengeance. The only agreement I have with you is in how did Koichi know where Noriko was to rescue her. Other than that one small thing, this film is all you said it was. For me a masterpiece and a masterclass in how to make a film. The colour grading was amazing, and the music was beyond perfect. Naoki Sato was brilliant here. I am so mad he was not nominated for an Oscar. He should have been. Same with the film and Yamazaki. All in all, an amazing accomplishment in film-making and a triumph for Toho.
Agree. Koichi found Noriko way too quickly and easily. Though Ginza was smaller and less populated and built up back then it would still have taken him time to find her amongst all that chaos.
With how Koichi gets beaten down a lot in the movie, my suspension of disbelief was sustained for the scene where he manages to find Noriko. Like imagine being that lucky only to not save her 💀
This movie was not shown at the cinemas of my country, but I had my first-ever trip to Japan two weeks ago. A friend and myself went to Toho Cinemas during our second night in Kyoto, and there we were able to see this movie for the very first time. The privilege of seeing a Japan-made Godzilla movie in Japan brings so much joy to my heart. I did my best to not spoil this movie from the internet and despite me not being too knowledgeable in Japanese, we enjoyed the movie fully without subtitles. It was very context-driven so we understood the scenes that way. It was an incredible experience and one of the reasons why my favorite place to visit was Kyoto. After looking through stores in Osaka and Tokyo, I was able to find the black an white version in Blu-Ray (sadly, just 1080p and still without subtitles lol), and it will remain as an amazing souvenir from my trip. Also if you visit Japan right now and are in Tokyo, there is an amazing replica of -1.0 Godzilla in the Godzilla Store Tokyo in Shinjuku. Absolutely a must visit for pictures to any Godzilla fan.
What a great film. Director Takashi Yamazaki borrowed a lot from GMK. The "ghosts" of guilt that haunt the protagonist gave me those vibes. And also, of course, the very ending of the film. Yamazaki said in multiple interviews that GMK is one of his favorite Godzilla movies, and it shows.
This is genuinely a GREAT movie. Hands down the best Gojira film yet, imo. I brought 3 people who had never seen a Godzilla film to the theater to see this movie. And they ALL loved it! Can't wait for this movie to come to disc & streaming so I can watch it with my Mom. We're both big Gojira fans, but she is medically unable to go to the theater anymore. So she hasn't seen it yet. Hopefully it will be released in the fall. Thnx for your review, Up From The Depths. It's great to hear your voice & your insight into this film. You ROCK!!!
Minus One truly is not only one of the greatest Godzilla films ever, but one of the best films in all of history. For the first time in a long time, we actually care for the humans and wanted them to win against Godzilla who was such a menace here. It was emotional, exciting, it was everything. This film truly deserves all the praise and accolades it received. Long live the King.
I grew up with these films. I remember staying up late to watch the local "Shock Theater" hoping for another Kaiju film. Now, I'm a 61 year old man. Still watching and this was the first one that made me feel for the human characters so much that I cried. I really FELT during this film. Five stars indeed.
I thought those movies were a ny thing, until I found out during the 98 buildup that most of the country played those movies on their local stations. I thought only nyers knew about the character😂😂
I went to see this movie with my Dad when it came out in US theaters. This was the first Toho Godzilla movie I saw in theaters, and I couldn’t have imagined a better movie. This is one of the best Godzilla films of all time. This is also the first Godzilla to win an Academy Award.
Fantastic review man and a well deserved 5 stars! Never thought I'd see the day were my most favorite film character would get so much praise. Exciting times!
Everyone’s gushing about the atomic breath scenes, but my favorite shot in the whole movie is when Godzilla swims toward the Takao to attack it. The underwater view, the way he picks up speed, and the tension built with the music. It’s easily the best underwater shot of Godzilla in the entire franchise an it was worth the 70 year wait.
Just to add, the sheer dread I felt when his spines broke the water again to swim towards them. Because I instantly understood that _he wanted them to know he was coming for them_ and it was chilling
Just want to say: - Minus One is a great film. After some time to reflect on it, it's now my favorite (truthfully tied with Shin, but if I had to choose between them, -1.0 is over it by just a hair's width. - It's awesome to hear your commentary again. Balancing your hobbies and reality can be difficult, so even if you're only here briefly to share these short reviews, I'm glad you took the time and effort to do so. Thank you. 🙏🏻
More than any other channel on RU-vid, this is the one I most wanted to hear from about Minus One. So happy to see you back again to celebrate one of Goji's finest moments
Oh, fantastic! Youre back at it knce again, UFTD! And with a review I was most awaiting for. I hope there's some more in the future since there has been quite a bit of content for yo to tackle. This movie is one I had such an incredible experience from beginning to the end. The action, the acting, the effects, the music, the sound design, the tone, and of course Godzilla himself. It is everything I have wanted for the franchise to portray in quite awhile. I was so engrossed with this film I didnt feel like I was waiting for something to hapoen and oretty much just let the experience take me and never let go until the credits. And boy, was I all in on it. The experience this movie gave me is one I will never forget and it is an incredible film for the 70 year old franchise for both fans and newcomers alike as an entry way that shows why it keeps going strong. Truly deserving of the five stars you gave it, UFTD.
It's definitely set a new standard for what Japanese Godzilla can accomplish let alone movies as a whole. Even the box office run is inspiring considering how it turned a two week release into nearly two months.
YES FIVE STAR MOVIE!! Minus One is my new favorite Godzilla film and I’m really satisfied and proud of what the franchise is doing right now. Winning an Oscar , setting new benchmarks and grossing loads of money. Thank you Yamazaki for making this masterpiece and i can’t wait for Godzilla X Kong review!
Honestly, Godzilla minus one is the most memorable movie I've ever watched, plus every scene featuring Godzilla are so nerve-racking, it doesn't only leave me breathless but I have trouble breathing sometimes when watching Godzilla on screen
I had the exact same critiques you did(lack of tension/Godzilla after his city attack and plot armor with certain characters), but this film still works exceptionally well despite them. I'm happy it's a hit, it feels good to be a Godzilla fan right now.
I still have trouble wrapping my head around this being an intense, complex, deep, character-driven drama. . . that ALSO has Godzilla in it. I love it, more than just about any Godzilla movie ever, but it's so different from the franchise norm. It is mind-boggling in the best possible way. I love that we got this film, that people can see that a Godzilla film can be more then "giant monsters go RAWR!" Though don't get me wrong, I love me some "giant monster go RAWR" for completely different reasons.
Excellent review! Your well-crafted videos, polished scripts, and attention to detail never cease to amaze. Godzilla Minus One is not only a once-in-a-generation gem; I genuinely believe it changed everything -and we'll see its efficacies for years to come. One day, I hope we get an English translation of its script because Minus One's story is that good. This film has many things worth loving, from its phenomenal cast and spectacular visual effects to its wondrous score. I'm amazed by the juxtapositions between the human characters and Godzilla (e.g., In Japanese culture, deep dead fish represents giving up on life, which is a burden Koichi Shikishima experiences tenfold when Godzilla returns). Minus One mastered the art of duality, and I sincerely believe it'll be studied.
What an emotional rollercoaster ride this film is! So glad you're back and giving your always-inciteful reviews. Still waiting for your thoughts on one of my Creature Feature favs, The Black Scorpion.
Highest rating! Seeing this on opening night in IMAX was one of my Christmas highlights. Your review is excellent. Looking forward to the next installment. Biollante....PLEASE!
It’s a good thing that you are finally back to review another godzilla film and considering that I watched this film back in December and it is truly a goddamn masterpiece and considering that this film feels more like a reboot and a remake of the first film, the human characters are great, the darker tone of the film is also great and considering that this film was made with a Low budget it’s definitely impressive and considering that this is the only Godzilla film that won an Oscar and as Godzilla fan, I’m truly pleased that this film achieved it
Agree with all your points, saw this twice in the theatre in the US and was blown away both times. One of the best Godzilla movies ever at this point hands down. Was so happy it won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. Cant wait for this to be released on BluRay here in the US!
Godzilla Minus One is definitely the best Japanese Godzilla film of all time, the best of the Godzilla franchise, and my third favorite film of 2023 after Oppenheimer and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. Godzilla Minus One is also the Schindler’s List of Godzilla films.
I love that it's not just a great Godzilla film, it's a great film, period. Seeing it at Toho Cinemas in Shinjuku for both the initial and Minus Color release was amazing.
It is great to see how far the franchise has come, and this film didn’t disappoint. -1.0 not only brought new life to the franchise, featured incredible special effects, and a good story, but it felt like watching a genuine Godzilla movie.
I saw this movie three times in theaters; Twice in color, and once in black and white. I think Minus One will make people appreciate the few serious Godzilla movies even more. The Orignal, Godzilla 2014, GMK and Minus One all have that dark, gritty edge to them that so many other Godzilla movies just lack.
I found this movie to have a very positive message about the human spirit and finding a reason to live again after losing so much. This, like the OG Godzilla, Return of Godzilla and Shin Godzilla has a distinctly Japanese message. But it is a message that anyone can understand.
Great review as always. This isn't just a great Godzilla film, it's a superb film period. I respectfully disagree with the pacing criticism at the climax, the human drama and ensemble cast are so captivating you are never really thinking about Godzilla appearing again to keep your attention. You can cut Godzilla out of this film or replace him with any cataclysmic event, the characters and the story would not be impaired, they would stand faultlessly on their own. It's a really good script that uses Godzilla to push everything.
This is a movie that joins other classic movies that are timeless. Original King Kong. Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Star Wars. The scenes of Godzilla out at sea were mind-blowing. It looked real. Not once did it look or feel like Godzilla disconnected from the scenes featuring his path of destruction. I hope Toho continues this path, and the same director/FX used. Godzilla never looked so destructive, mindless and terrifying. As a huge Godzilla fan I was elated to see this movie effectively show if the human element is well-written even non-Godzilla audiences gave standing ovations. It showed why we love Godzilla.
I've been a fan of Godzilla for years. When I was much younger, the Heisei and Showa eras were played on Saturday mornings, it was only later I learned his significance to the Japanese. This only had 1 showing in my local cinema and the timings were really awkward, I'm still kicking myself that I didn't put in more effort to go and see it.
5:32 Actually, it had the opposite effect on me. I actually thought that the film was much stronger when Godzilla wasn’t on screen than when he was on screen. Not to say that the scenes with Godzilla weren’t effective, just that at times they seemed to be a bit more focused on spectacle rather than story. Still though, I did really love the film (which I haven’t said about a Godzilla film since Godzilla Final Wars in 2004).
To this excellent review, I would only add one thing. This is the scariest Godzilla movie ever. When G first comes ashore on Udo island, it was freaking SCARY. When he's in the ocean, following our friends on the little boat like Jaws followed Brody, Quint, and Hooper, it was scary. When G's storming Tokyo and we see some of our friends in harms' way, it is sooo scary. Like very few Godzilla movies that came before (or since), G's devastation of a city is more visceral for the viewer, it's scarier and the director gets us as close as possible to the experience of being there, and the fear everyone is feeling.
Yes! What a movie! I saw it once in the theaters and I couldn't believe that the ending put tears in my eyes because of what happened with the Humans in the film. The only other time I shed a tear in a Godzilla film is when Godzilla died in Godzilla vs. Destroyah. lol. Also... I wasn't expecting this review so soon! How did you get a copy of the film?
It's always fun seeing Godzilla fighting other creatures,but he seems to work best on his own. The original,84/85.Shin and Minus one are all ranked as some of the greatest of the series.
When the end of the movie came and I saw that almost everyone in the theater was wiping tears out of their eyes that solidified just how great this movie was. I knew how it affected me but I could also see how it affected everyone else. Never thought I’d get that emotional over a kaiju movie!
Easily one of the best, if not the best Godzilla movie ever made, I saw it 10 times in theaters, and I really hope Toho gives Takashi Yamazaki the freedom to make an actual series.
