Godzilla Minus One Review
Godzilla has always been an intriguing symbol—a creature born from nuclear devastation, emerging from the ocean depths to wreak havoc on cities, mirroring the catastrophic power of an atomic bomb. Typically, the primary critique of Godzilla films centres on the human element: the characters often lack depth, leaving audiences clamouring for more of the titular monster’s destructive spectacle. However, Godzilla Minus One breaks this mold and sets a new standard for the franchise.
Rarely have I found myself so invested in the human characters of a monster movie. The issue of lacklustre human storylines isn’t unique to the Godzilla series—even films like Pacific Rim have struggled with this. But Godzilla Minus One introduces a cast of characters who elevate the narrative, making the film an emotionally resonant experience.
The story begins with a World War II kamikaze pilot whose encounter with a young Godzilla ends in disgrace. After the war ends, he returns home burdened by the stigma of being a "living kamikaze"—a symbol of failure in the eyes of his fellow citizens. The blame for the war’s outcome, the loss of loved ones, and his own personal grief over losing his family weighs heavily on him. His home is reduced to rubble, save for a single room, reflecting the broken pieces of his life.
Yet, amid this despair, he finds hope. He befriends a woman caring for an orphaned child she found during a bombing raid. Together, they begin to rebuild—not just his house, but their lives. Years pass, and just as their world starts to stabilize, Godzilla returns, unleashing chaos once more.
The pilot is reluctantly drawn into the effort to stop the monster, seeing it as an opportunity not only to protect Japan but to confront the lingering guilt and trauma of his wartime past. His journey becomes one of redemption, a poignant exploration of rebuilding after devastation—both on a personal and national level.
Godzilla Minus One isn’t just a monster movie; it’s a deeply human story about resilience, guilt, and redemption, set against the backdrop of awe-inspiring destruction. If you’ve ever longed for a kaiju film with genuine emotional stakes, this one is not to be missed.
