This is a powerful and dramatic retelling of the classic monster film that created an entire genre'. I've heard some people calling it best film of the year. Well, I don't agree with that. But it is definitely a great film and the best Godzilla film since the original. It makes Godzilla a monster again; a majestically horrifying and unrelenting force hellbent on destroying humanity. Just like the original. Over the decades the iconic beast has become a sort of anti-hero; showing up to fight other monsters and perhaps take out a few cities in the process. Gone was the sheer terror of its arrival. But GMO fixed that. And this Godzilla has weight... I mean when it moves and smashes buildings, you feel the impact of those moments. But perhaps the greatest thing about this film is the humans. These are not vapid peripheral characters put there just to take up screen time until the monster arrives. These characters have weight too... emotional weight. And they have arcs. No point in me going on about it, it's already getting critical praise. But a last note; I had to sit through 25 minutes of trailers before the film began. And not a one of them generated any interest ot caused a reaction in the theater. I'm not a Hollywood brasher because I know how difficult it is to get a production off the ground... but they better start upping their game. Japan just whupped their collective butts on a fraction of the cost of a typical US blockbuster production.
Review of Godzilla Minus One
