Godzilla minus one is the latest Godzilla installment from the Japan. I have seen a few monster movies, not a lot because I’m not a big fan of them. I can confidently say this is the best out of them; Or probably I have seen only the shitty ones.
This is not only a monster movie; this is a story where all the drama is created because of Godzilla. Godzilla casually destroys countless lives, so naturally some of them hold a grudge against him and some evolve that grudge into a fully formed plan to kill Godzilla with their determination. Their audacity is commendable to be honest. To even think that you can take down a 164 feet kaiju is insane.
This passion sprouts from people’s lives being ruined by Godzilla. All these event takes place at the end of World War II and after the war. People’s lives are already hell due to the fire bombings and the on-going war. As the Japanese try to rebuild the city, Godzilla attacks again and destroys everything. And as I said, it is the basis for all the drama. Someone feels guilty because people died on his watch and he couldn’t do anything. This haunts that person so much that he can’t live a normal life anymore. So, he sets out on a suicidal mission to end Godzilla and avenge the fallen.
You also see acts of benevolence and kindness in this movie that warms your heart. People adopt orphan child and grow them as their own. They take care of each other like a community and grow together.
The drama in this movie is effective-not the best, but effective. This is where I didn’t get the hype around this movie. Don’t get me wrong, it is good. Whatever they chose to portray, they nailed it. This movie has limited destruction and Godzilla appearances, but what is shown features beautiful CGI and practical effects for the Most part and, Spectacular CGI and special effects if you consider the mere $10-12 million budget. It is a really confident execution. But I don’t get what makes it so great that everyone is raving about it online. The story and screenplay are good and do the job but they are not so extraordinary at all. Maybe because there is so much mediocrity in the market that a good, fun movie is considered a masterpiece or I just missed the point of this movie completely.
I get that it is the first movie in the Godzilla franchise to have such well-developed characters and actually good drama. I know it comes from Japan with just a budget of $10-12 million dollars and it is way better than Hollywood’s version of Godzilla. I know there is social commentary about war, nuclear weapons and destruction. And I do think it is a good movie and I want the filmmakers to keep making such good movies but, I do not understand the hype.
Thank you!
