 |
| Photo: Toho |
Japanese director Takashi Yamazaki's 'Godzilla Minus One' received a rave reviews when it premiered in Tokyo and the United States in 2023. The long-awaited film now premieres on Netflix.
When Godzilla Minus One was released on Netflix without any major announcements or promotions, its surprised many. It was the Godzilla movie everyone was waiting for. With a limited release worldwide, fans were hoping for a theatrical release in India. But for now we will have to settle for the OTT version and be content! So, why is Godzilla Minus One such an important feature in the franchise? And what sets it apart from other Godzilla films?
Godzilla leads the pack when it comes to creature-based monster movies. For years, Japanese filmmakers have been obsessed with this city-destroying sea and land monster. The recent universe of Godzilla vs. Kong even took this possibility to a new level and introduced the possibility of radiation and its consequences. But Godzilla Minus One is a different level movie.
Watch the trailer of Godzilla Minus One
The movie doesn't want us to cheer and jump in our seats when the monster arrives. The story takes place at the end of World War II, when a guilt-ridden pilot tries to give himself a second chance only to discover that there is no real escape from the demons of his past. The story and writing are very insightful. Create a world in which we see a lot of what happened to ordinary Japanese as a result of the war at the same time.
At the Oscars 2024 the film won the Best Visual Effects Awards and you can understand why the creators don't go overboard with the pyrotechnics or keep it subtle. When you first see Godzilla, you are absolutely in awe of him. His eyes and movements seem more real and terrifying than ever. The fight scenes, especially those taking place at sea where we try to prevent the creature from landing, are fantastic. Takashi Yamakazi has directed a near-perfect Godzilla film that more than does justice to the 1954 opening.
In an era where Westerns invest heavily and rely on VFX to tell a story, it's a director's balancing a wildlife film that should push audiences toward visual effects. If you've never seen a Godzilla film before, it's a great introduction to his universe and if you're a "kaiju" fanatic, Godzilla Minus One is the perfect antidote to Godzilla withdrawal syndrome.