Godzilla Minus One (2023) Saturday Monster Movies

Godzilla Minus One (2023) follows Kōichi Shikishima, a kamikaze pilot who failed to complete his mission and returns to a devastated Japan. Haunted by guilt, he struggles to rebuild his life in a war-torn Tokyo, where he forms a makeshift family with Noriko, a woman caring for an orphaned baby. However, Japan faces an even greater existential threat when Godzilla, an enormous and unstoppable monster, emerges from the ocean. Unlike previous portrayals, this Godzilla embodies sheer destruction, attacking Japan at a time when the country is already at its weakest—hence the title Minus One, symbolizing Japan being reduced to less than nothing.

As Godzilla ravages the country, Shikishima finds himself drawn into a desperate battle, joining a civilian-led effort to stop the creature. The final confrontation sees the use of an inventive and daring plan involving repurposed wartime technology to neutralize Godzilla. Along the way, Shikishima is forced to confront his survivor's guilt, find redemption, and embrace his responsibility to protect those he loves.

This is, thematically, the best Kaiju film since the original Godzilla. Visually, it is the best of the whole genre. This is possible the most human Godzilla story ever, as the character development and the stories of the humans in the film are more developed than ever before. The story of guilt, repentance, forgiveness, and redemption are unlike anything seen in a Godzilla story. Even so, the Godzilla in this movie is the most powerful and destructive as well. This is not a fun spectacle where we get to marvel at a man in a suit kicking down well-made miniatures. It is a terrifying devastation monster.