‘Godzilla Minus One’
Believe the hype: Godzilla Minus One is a really good Godzilla movie. Directed by award-winning Japanese filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki, this 2023 Japanese movie got a surprise Netflix release in the U.S. last month, making it all the easier for Americans to watch the buzzy movie that many fans are calling the best Godzilla movie in years. The film takes place earlier than any other film in the franchise (hence the title—one year before the original 1954 movie takes place), in postwar Japan from 1945 to 1947. Ryunosuke Kamiki stars as an ex-kamikaze pilot, Shikishima, who fakes a mechanical problem in order to stay alive. His guilt over this decision is increased tenfold when Godzilla attacks the repair garrison, and Shikishima is one of only two survivors. In addition to some very fun “Godzilla smashing Tokyo” scenes, Godzilla Minus One offers a genuine, heartfelt message on war, survivor’s guilt, and the true meaning of sacrifice.