Godzilla Minus Zero review by Bobby Blakey
There are few theatrical monsters as iconic as Japan’s Godzilla. The King of Monsters has been smashing cities since its debut in 1954 and has since gone on to almost 40 films as well as numerous comics, animated series, merchandise and anything else they could think of. While Godzilla is currently a part of the shared monster-verse with Kong in the US it is still firmly planted in Japanese cinemas all its own.
In 2023 director Takashi Yamazaki took on triple duty with VFX, writing, and directing Godzilla Minus One to critical acclaim including winning an Academy Award for visual effects. Now he is returning to the helm once again handling the same triple duty with Godzilla Minus Zero. The next chapter stars Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Sakura Ando, Kuranosuke Sasaki, and Munetaka Aoki, but could this next chapter live up to the greatness of the first film or will it fail to crown the king of monsters?
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Godzilla Minus Zero follows two years since war reduced Japan to zero, and Godzilla plunged it into minus. Since then, and the country has faced agonizing struggles to achieve recovery and finally reclaim its daily life. Just as humanity managed to cling to a hard-won peace, a new threat strikes, crushing hope in an instant. There is no third time. Everything ends here.
I love all things kaiju and hence everything Godzilla. Yes, even the films that weren’t that good. There is just something about the big beast that brings a smile to my face. This film was on top of my most anticipated films this year. I am typically annoyed by the human element in these monster flicks, but Minus One did such a great job with them bringing in history and a story that makes you truly care about these people. This next chapter does that once again, but in a different
focus and tone that stands out just enough to work without feeling like just a rehash.
This one leans heavier into the kaiju element but still keeps the effects of war and trauma to the humans on the forefront as well as a new element of PTSD from the previous Godzilla attack. For those that were put off and had questions regarding the survival of Noriko at the end of the film, this film addresses it and it is a major part of the story moving forward. For those that could care less about the human element, despite it being compelling once again, have no fear it unleashes the fury of the kaiju once again this time with yet another iconic monster addition to the mix.
It was amazing to see what they visually pulled off the first time and this one not only does it once again it is elevated to look even better in my opinion. There are a couple of non-kaiju destruction moments that feel green screened, which no doubt are but still works. Every moment of destruction, Godzilla or chaotic kaiju awesomeness looks outstanding and is sight to behold. On that front it is far superior to the first film, but the heft of the story in the first one I think stood out more.
Both films are easily the best Godzilla films ever made in my opinion and only makes me want more and saddened to know that this is meant to be his last of the series, but we shall see. There is a cliffhanger of sorts to the story but also feels complete so could work either way. This film needs to be seen on the largest and loudest screen possible and IMAX if you can. It was shot entirely in Japan as the first-ever Japanese production to be Filmed For IMAX with high-definition digital cameras certified by IMAX, and optimized in sound and imagery unique to IMAX screens.
Decide for yourself and see Godzilla Minus Zero in theaters now.