Scott_650
Well-Known Member
Typically I stick strictly to posts/discussions about hobby rocketry. This is a rare occasion but hopefully it’ll be of value to someone. If you can go and see Godzilla Minus One (G-1). Even if you don’t care for Japanese giant monster movies or subtitled movies go anyway. Easily, without hesitation, I can say this is one of the best movies, period, that I’ve seen.
I’m not going to do a plot or story breakdown other than to point out that the post-WW2 Japan setting is perfect for both the story itself and how that story is told. Quite frankly I’m on the same page as several movie critics who’ve said you could cut out all the monster stuff, substitute some other catastrophe - tsunami, earthquake, etc… - and still have an awesome film. But since it is a giant monster movie we get a giant monster. And he’s a good one - a terrifying, implacable, nigh unstoppable force of nature version of Godzilla who’s goal is, evidently, just stomping Tokyo flat. Admittedly there are a handful of shots where the CGI looks a bit odd and Godzilla looks sort of “off” but it’s only a few and the odd look only lasts seconds. They made a real effort to stay connected to the “man in suit” look while making Godzilla look realistic - he takes ponderous, heavy steps, having a visible effect on the environment. And the mix of model work and CGI is nearly seamless and it’s often stunning. The entire look of the film is stunning - well lighted, smooth camera work, great angles, compositions and view points. How Toho did this for a reported budget of under $16 million is amazing.
But what really makes this thing work are the human performances. I’m not a fan of Japanese cinema (outside of a smattering of classic Kurosawa films and, of course, classic giant monster flicks) so I don’t know any of the cast but wow, there’s some very real talent on the screen. Which can only shine as it does because of some smart, effective writing. Yes there are some huge coincidences - show me a disaster movie that doesn’t have those - but for the most part the script is tightly constructed. There are scenes that, at the least, will have you dealing with a lump in your throat if not outright tears (I had tears multiple times). This thing has a surprising number of layers - historical drama about immediate post-war Japan, meditation on what it means to be a man, or a survivor, a searing portrayal of PTSD, and a rousing endorsement of what Edmund Burke called the “little platoons” of society - in this case frustrated Japanese veterans stepping up when their government and the US fail to get the job done rather than enlightened aristocrats fighting for liberty.
I’ve wandered pretty far afield from just recommending a Japanese giant monster movie - don’t think you’re in for 125 minutes of philosophical navel gazing, this thing has plenty of monster action, explosions, folks getting stomped, one p.o’d giant lizard, a borderline goofy plan to fight said giant lizard (a definite callback to the original’s “oxygen destroyer”), a solid love story and just enough sardonic Japanese humor. Yes there’s several unlikely coincidences but nothing jarring. The ending is just this side of a little too cute but they make these monster flicks as family movies in Japan. It’s fairly bloodless, other than some Godzilla gore, so I wouldn’t hesitate to take a 9 year old or a mature 8 year old (the language is appropriate as well). It’s about 10 minutes too long but I have no idea what you’d cut out, what’s up there on the screen is that good.
In some markets it’s only getting a very short release and appears to be leaving theaters here in the US at the end of next week so if you’re thinking about seeing it go now, find the biggest screen you can - it’s worth the effort!
I’m not going to do a plot or story breakdown other than to point out that the post-WW2 Japan setting is perfect for both the story itself and how that story is told. Quite frankly I’m on the same page as several movie critics who’ve said you could cut out all the monster stuff, substitute some other catastrophe - tsunami, earthquake, etc… - and still have an awesome film. But since it is a giant monster movie we get a giant monster. And he’s a good one - a terrifying, implacable, nigh unstoppable force of nature version of Godzilla who’s goal is, evidently, just stomping Tokyo flat. Admittedly there are a handful of shots where the CGI looks a bit odd and Godzilla looks sort of “off” but it’s only a few and the odd look only lasts seconds. They made a real effort to stay connected to the “man in suit” look while making Godzilla look realistic - he takes ponderous, heavy steps, having a visible effect on the environment. And the mix of model work and CGI is nearly seamless and it’s often stunning. The entire look of the film is stunning - well lighted, smooth camera work, great angles, compositions and view points. How Toho did this for a reported budget of under $16 million is amazing.
But what really makes this thing work are the human performances. I’m not a fan of Japanese cinema (outside of a smattering of classic Kurosawa films and, of course, classic giant monster flicks) so I don’t know any of the cast but wow, there’s some very real talent on the screen. Which can only shine as it does because of some smart, effective writing. Yes there are some huge coincidences - show me a disaster movie that doesn’t have those - but for the most part the script is tightly constructed. There are scenes that, at the least, will have you dealing with a lump in your throat if not outright tears (I had tears multiple times). This thing has a surprising number of layers - historical drama about immediate post-war Japan, meditation on what it means to be a man, or a survivor, a searing portrayal of PTSD, and a rousing endorsement of what Edmund Burke called the “little platoons” of society - in this case frustrated Japanese veterans stepping up when their government and the US fail to get the job done rather than enlightened aristocrats fighting for liberty.
I’ve wandered pretty far afield from just recommending a Japanese giant monster movie - don’t think you’re in for 125 minutes of philosophical navel gazing, this thing has plenty of monster action, explosions, folks getting stomped, one p.o’d giant lizard, a borderline goofy plan to fight said giant lizard (a definite callback to the original’s “oxygen destroyer”), a solid love story and just enough sardonic Japanese humor. Yes there’s several unlikely coincidences but nothing jarring. The ending is just this side of a little too cute but they make these monster flicks as family movies in Japan. It’s fairly bloodless, other than some Godzilla gore, so I wouldn’t hesitate to take a 9 year old or a mature 8 year old (the language is appropriate as well). It’s about 10 minutes too long but I have no idea what you’d cut out, what’s up there on the screen is that good.
In some markets it’s only getting a very short release and appears to be leaving theaters here in the US at the end of next week so if you’re thinking about seeing it go now, find the biggest screen you can - it’s worth the effort!
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