GODZILLA MINUS ONE is a 2023 Japanese sci-fi film directed by Takashi Yamazaki. I have recently watched it on Netflix and loved it. The script, story and VFX are the top level of this film.
The film talks about the HORRORS OF WAR and how it always comes back to haunt us anyday-anytime. How the trauma and loss is very difficult to cope with. The film deals with the aftermath of WW-II and Hiroshima bombings, where the people of Japan mourn for the loss of their loved ones. It’s a type of trauma the audience can sympathize with and how it impacts us.
THE CHARACTERS-
i. Shikishima- He is a veteran WWII pilot. His ghost is the ‘loss of people in the war’ and ‘his encounter with the beast Godzilla in ODO ISLAND.’ He seeks redemption, after Godzilla destroys Japan. He gets back his status as a pilot, to avenge the death of his loved ones by defeating Godzilla.
ii. Noriko- She is Shikishima’s wife and love interest. She tries to heal Shikishima, whenever Shikishima has the trauma of the war. They both raise their adopted child Akiko. Noriko dies due to Godzilla’s attack in Japan.
iii. Kenji Noda- He is a marine biologist and the solution giver. He is the one who knows about Godzilla’s strength and weakness and how can the monster be defeated.
iv. Tachibana- He is a mechanical engineer and helper. He helps Shikishima, by giving him the tools that can defeat Godzilla.
v. General Hoto- His role is to find volunteers, who are ready to avenge their loved ones by defeating Godzilla.
STORY STRUCTURE-
ACT 1 opens with WWII finally coming to an end. The protagonist Shikishima is introduced as a fighter pilot. He lands his plane in Odo Island for refuelling. The hook happens here, when Odo Island is attacked by a lizard named Godzilla. Shikishima tries to kill Godzilla with a machine gun, but fails. Godzilla kills all of Shikishima’s allies. THE GHOST is established when Shikishima sees the horrors of war infront of him- Dead Bodies. After heading back home, Shikishima witnesses the consequences- broken houses bombed by planes. It also brings in the THEME. THE LOVE MOMENT happens when Shikishima meets Noriko running with a child. Shikishima and Noriko decide to adopt the child and name her Akiko. INCITING INCIDENT 1 happens when Shikishima decides to get a job to feed his wife and child. The suspense here is, Shikishima holds a secret no one knows of. He joins a fishing crew led by Kenji Noda. The 2ND INCITING INCIDENT happens when Hiroshima is bombed, unleashing a terrible danger.
ACT II is where Shikishima is living a normal life, fishing and raising a family. The Russians and Americans reach the tension point, when they are dealing with a creature much huge than a building block. Shikishima and his allies enter the DANGER ZONE, when they encounter a shipwreck. Shikishima realizes that, this is the work of the same creature, whom he encountered in ODO ISLAND. THE PREPARE FOR BATTLE is played, as Shikishima decides to hunt down the creature known as Godzilla. The machine gun is PAYED OFF, when Shikishima fires it at Godzilla. THE FALSE VICTORY moment is played, when Godzilla heals back and takes down the Japanese navy with his atomic breathe. Shikishima realizes, he is dealing with a powerful force. The MIDPOINT happens when Godzilla attacks Japan and kills every civilian. Shikishima loses Noriko in the attack, which fuels his vengeance that he will make Godzilla pay. The Japanese military come up with a plan to stop Godzilla. Kenji explains the only way to stop Godzilla and use his powers against him.
ACT III is where the war begins, when Shikishima, through air, lowers Godzilla to the sea. THE TRUE VICTORY moment is played, when Godzilla takes the bait and dies., resolving the CONFLICT. Shikishima has completed his quest for revenge.
CINEMATOGRAPHY-
The cinematography is brand new in this film. It makes every frame of the film look more cinematic. From wide angle to close ups. Some of the best shots in the film are-
• Landing shot in the opening of the film.
• Shikishima’s plane passing through 2 navy ships.
• Wide shot of Godzilla’s nuclear breathe devastating Japan.
• The wide shot of Shikishima’s aircraft gliding across the wide surface of the sea.
• The missile aiming at Godzilla’s mouth.
VFX-
The VFX of the film is done by none other than director himself – Takashi Yamazaki. He did VFX the 90’s way. For eg- animating Godzilla legs digitally, making him look like a stop motion figure. Adding buildings and colour grading them in 1940’s way. Some of the best CG shots are-
• Godzilla emerging from the sea.
• Godzilla capturing a CG boat.
• The fighter plane marching towards Godzilla.
• Godzilla biting up a train.
Even CGI is used to enhance the scale of Japan. Also for the water-wave animation. But, I think the best part of CGI is Godzilla.
EDITING-
This technique is one of the best antidotes for a better film. Without editing, there is no cinema magic. The best part of the editing is, how it gives audiences time to dive into the drama and be blown away by the chaos caused by Godzilla. Every cut has a time limit, depending on the drama and stakes. The best part of the edit is, when the audience get time to dive into the emotions of the character and finding some connectivity.
DIRECTION-
What makes Takashi Yamazaki great is, how he turned Godzilla into a villain character and properly depicted his origin. How every inch of detailing he has added in his shot. When and what time to use close up and wide shot and how it impacts the story. But, the best part he has focused on the film are VFX and CINEMATOGRAPHY. I think, he deserves the Oscar for best VFX.
SET DESIGN-
The set design helps to add details about the world. This makes the audience believe that, they are part of the post WWII era, so that, they can all sympathize with the suffering of people. From broken houses to fires, it gives a distaste feeling of what its like to be part of a war, a war which has no victory.
CONCLUSION-
I think, this is the greatest Godzilla movie ever made. Here you have proper sympathy for the human characters , which you don’t have in the American version.