The original Godzilla movies from Japan hark back to a time of societal innocence when the major threats came from nature (the deep sea) rather than, say, the public service. They were not especially well done, representing Japanese SFX in their infancy, but they struck a chord and developed a fan base. Arguably, Godzilla 1998 marked the high point of the franchise, presenting a Hollywood version with both great SFX and a solid story. I would see Godzilla Minus One 2023 as Japan's belated answer to the 1998 US film, a much more subtle version, overflowing with themes of lost honor (giri) and betrayal. To its credit, it succeeds at its goal, but viewers looking for steady action will nonetheless feel something is missing. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Review of Godzilla Minus One
