Godzilla Minus One

 

   To be honest, this film was not even on my radar until a friend recommended it (Thanks Alan) and then I started to read positive things about it. To say I was not disappointed is an understatement.

   Written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki (he also did the special effects), the film is terrific.  Mr. Yamazaki uses the metaphor of the monster to reflect upon Japanese society just after World War Two (as well as war itself). He's not afraid to criticize the government at that time under the guise of a monster movie. 

   The special effects rival any Hollywood blockbuster and Godzilla appears as a truly terrifying monster, especially during his destruction of Ginza (which is easy to see the parallel of war torn Ukraine or even the war in the middle East). Tokyo, as well, is a bombed out shell of it's former self, even before the monster makes an appearance, due to the allied bombing of the city during the war.

   Besides the special effects and action sequences, what really makes the film special is the humanity of its lead characters, who give the movie it's heart and soul. Ryunosuke Kamiki stars as Koichi, a Kamikaze  pilot who defies his mission and first encounters the monster on a remote island (where only he and a technician named Tachibana survive). Tachibana is played by Munetaka Aoki.

   Koichi has survivor's guilt, both from the war and the monster's first strike on the island. When he returns home to a bombed out Tokyo, his family is gone and he reluctantly takes in a young woman and a baby who have nowhere else to go. His relationship with the young woman, Noriko, played by Minami Hamabe and the baby form a bond that is the strength of the film. 

   It's pretty clear that Mr. Yamazaki was influenced not only by the original film but also "Jaws". He features the monster sparingly but when he does, it's very impactful. The scenes on the ocean will definitely bring "Jaws" to mind.

   I'm still not sure what the film's title actually means but it was a pleasant surprise and a welcome addition to the Godzilla mythos. I guess you can teach an old monster new tricks.

   In Japanese with English subtitles.