Godzilla Minus One

The best Godzilla drama since 1954, and quite possibly the best Godzilla story full stop. I was super apprehensive going into this, and put off watching it for nearly two entire years. I don't know why, but I just didn't think I'd like it. I knew very little about the actual plot before going in, so my angst was likely due solely to how heavily I stigmatize modern mainstream cinema. Boy-howdy! Did 'Godzilla Minus One' put me in my place. This was such an excellent re-tooling of the original 1954 story. The film is by absolutely no means a remake, but if studios insist on ressurecting older franchises, this is exactly what they should be striving towards. 'Minus One' does share many plot beats and ideas with '54, but here they are distinguished and fleshed out enough for an almost entirely unique experience. The ending in particular, while heavily evoking Serizawa's story in '54, was taken in a different, more nuanced, direction that I am extremely grateful for. (I genuinely would have removed a star from my review if it ended up going down that path.) Additionally, the colour grading throughout was often reminiscent of Toho's earlier colourized features which, if intentional (I have to imagine this is the case), was a wonderfully nostalgic homage to the movies that made 'Minus One' possible. There are a few things, however, which detract from my overall opinion of the film. Firstly, at the risk of sounding like a parody of myself, I wish, wish, *wish! they didn't use so much CGI. I understand that in many places they had no choice, but there were plenty of shots throughout that could have utilized practical effects, and it is my legal right as a pretentious dick-face to sit here in the corner and sulk about the fact that they didn't. Secondly, I'm not super in love with Godzilla's design in this; it's not bad at all, and at points it can look pretty cool, but I feel like it lacks personality - which, yeah, this movie's not really about him in the same way that '54* was, but it would have been nice if there was a little more to him. If I got my way, 'Godzilla Minus One' would have been filmed (by some amazing feat of foresight) way back in the 50s with one of the original two Godzilla suits. Nothing will ever match the dread-inducing uncanniness of the original designs, and I feel like a more horrfying Godzilla would have elevated this film tremendously. Thirdly, I feel like this film is doomed to suffer upon rewatches. Going in blind was absolutely the right move, and this initial viewing was great; but now, knowing all the twists and reveals, I feel like I'll be at a disadvantage the next time around. The reveal at the end (in the hospital) really disappointed me, and retroactively detracts from the impactfulness of many earlier scenes. As a result, I fear I'm just not going to care as much for future viewings. It's also just not at all necessary as a scene; nothing about the film would have been worse if they didn't include it. That's pretty much the only negative stuff I can say about it though. I'd still absolutely recommend 'Minus One' to everyone, even those unfamailiar with the franchise. Noriko best character 2023. Also, Noda is really cute :V Oh fuck, and also, Tachibana has one of the best fucking character arcs in fiction ever.