38yr old blue collar male here and I was in tears for the entirety of the final act. Loved this film. Goes to show how such a simple story can deeply touch an audience through sincerity and idealism. Shikishima is a flawed heroic character.

Godzilla Minus One really is one of the best movies I've seen in decades.

Right after I saw the movie out of the theater, the first thing that came to my mind was, “this is how you write a strong woman lead, Noriko… with a strong man lead, Koichi.”

I took my wife and 7yr old daughter to see G -1 last weekend. By the end, both my wife and I were in tears. The human story is so beautifully told. And if my 7yr old daughter can sit and read (and enjoy) a Japanese made film, any adult can. This movie truly is a cinematic masterpiece.

One things that I liked about the film is that Koichi beat himself up for not pulling the trigger on the monster at the beginning and seeing the possible repercussion of his not taking the opportunity to destroy it. He couldn't have killed Godzilla in the first place, but the ignorance is a burden. Just as with life in general, most of us have regrets and live with our actions. The thing is, we truly don't know the outcome for taking that missed opportunity. Making that decision in the first place could have had made things worse. As with Koichi, if he had shot at Godzilla, he could have died and not saved the girl, baby and destroyed Godzilla. The story deals with the human fate like an old Greek story or something handed down by generations to me.

It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve seen a movie that makes me feel emotions other than disappointment and strong disgust when the movie is over. I love this movie.

"Is your war... Finally over?" I was bawling and my wife was a wreck the whole movie and couldn't believe she was experiencing such a movie and it was a Godzilla movie. Wow

In a purely sporadic decision and schedule opening,I took my 7 year old to what I thought was going to be a yet another cheesy Hollywood predictable Godzilla movie. I could not have been more wrong. Teary-eyed, my son grabbed my hand as we saw the parachute in the air. What a moment I will never forget. Thank you, Takashi Yamazaki.

The ejection seat in the plane is so carefully and subtly laid in before the flashback, as well. When the Commander mentions that part of the reason Japan had lost its soul was that they produced planes without ejection seats and also, when Koichi looks at the plane there is a sign above the seat that is in German, showing that it was NOT a completely Japanese design and thus might have an ejection system. The film is wonderful and as a 50 year old Godzilla fan it was just a breathtaking piece of cinema. PLEASE, everyone, see it in theaters! It is so worth it!

Not going to lie, I was tearing up. That bit when they all saluted towards the end, that really got to me. A magnificent film about trauma and redemption and healing.

We saw this movie last weekend. My wife was skeptical, but on the advice of Film Threat, Critical Drinker, and Nerdrotic all saying it's a must see movie I convinced her to go. We both loved it. We have not seen a modern movie with such good characters and acting in a long time.

One of the awesome things about this movie is, with the right film makers you can make a great movie of any genre with almost any sized budget.

68 years old. First movie theater experience in 4-5 years. Walked out with tears in my eyes, and thought I was the only one. They weren't tears of sadness, but of happiness at the joy of seeing two humans finding happiness -- finally. Looks like I wasn't the only one. Haven't seen anything like this since "The Color Purple".

In 1983 at the tender age of 18 the US Navy sent me to Japan, too work in the Yokosuka Naval Hospital , and drink beer. The beer was optional but I excelled in that. As a life long Godzilla fan I was able too see Godzilla 1984 in the Japanese movie theater with English subtitles. It was a fun movie, and I still have a few Godzilla trinkets from my time there including in a box somewhere a small butane lighter that breathes fire. I took my 31 y/o daughter too see Minus One and it was simply Amazing, and for a subtitled film it was well paced and did not run too fast too keep up. I think the last subtitled film I paid too see was Brotherhood of the Wolf. My daughter enjoyed it as much as me and ended the night in a new Japanese restaurant in town with my favorite Japanese comfort food dish Katsudon and Yakitori .

I saw this movie. It made me think that Star Wars should be given to the Japanese.

The "village" was actually Tokyo or what was left after a single night of the U.S. fire bombing the city. It left 100,000 deceased and another one million homeless. This movie was absolutely brilliant from the opening frame to the final credits. As a life long Godzilla fan, this film easily took the first place slot for my favorite Godzilla movie and is probably in my top ten all time favorite movies ever.

When I saw it in Germany (good dub) with some friends, we already knew about the ejection seat, as it was very plain to read the word "Schleudersitz" -- obviously technology from their allies. A tiny detail that shows how much thought was put into the production. We loved it.

Took the wife. We both cried. Best movie i have seen in a long time. This was the first trip to the theater since we saw 1917.

When I saw the German writing on the seat in the plane I knew where this was leading to. The film is filled with this subtle hints. Very well made.

This is the only movie that I watched in a theater so far this year. I chose well, it was awesome, I cried.

A personal note, our main character becoming a mind sweeper and going on a mine sweeping ship. Reminded me of my great-grandfather who was on a mine sweeping ship in world war II. I never met the man but grew up on stories of him. And watching that scene in Godzilla reminded me of him.

When friends told me this was "the best Godzilla movie to-date" -I was skeptical. Then I saw the trailer and was sold. This film actually did something that I hadn't seen since Zootopia. It actually engaged my emotions and made me care about the characters. To put it in perspective, much as I liked "Godzilla vs Kong", none of the humans in that film resonated with me. Mostly I was _yeah, whatever. Get back to the monsters, please._ But in this film I CARED about the characters. Hell, even minor characters that only had a few lines were more endearing than the entire cast of GvK. Thanks to Japan we got two early Christmas presents. The Boy and the Heron and Godzilla Minus One. Both films are breaking records and their popularity just keeps mounting. Alas, I feel confident that Hollywood will ignore these films totally and not even consider them for nominations for any Oscars. But that's actually okay. Japan knows they are getting the recognition they deserve. Hollywood shrill wokesters will whine, cry and lie as usual. But the public has spoken. So, domo arigato, Mr. Yamazaki and Toho Studios. Domo arigato, Mr. Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. You've given us two wonderful films to enjoy this holiday season and we are very thankful.

Took my Dad to see it and loved it. He has macular degeneration and couldn't read the subtitles but still understood most of the story and got a kick out of the naval scenes (he was in the Navy.)

I just watched the movie yesterday in a D-Box chair. Yes, it did add something to watching the movie, with the chair rumbling with every Godzilla step. The movie itself took me for a surprise, I shed some tears as it was at points emotional then suddenly amazing. It must be repeated, the first Godzilla movie you actually want the humans to live and Godzilla to die.

Godzilla Minus 1 was great. A lot of touching moments. I thought I was good at holding myself together but the final hospital scene had me, a 49yo man, in tears. 10/10

The ejection seat is no surprise. There is a line about Japan building planes with no ejection seats to illustrate how the government doesn't cares which drives the men to own incentive. Then there is a sign "ejection seat" in German, clearly visible as they inspect the prototype plane, also signifying the government didn't care, but they got the technology off their allies. This movie is so brilliant in it's details.

This film almost made me cry twice, never had I have that happen in a Godzilla film. It's the best film I've seen this year, even beating out Oppenheimer imo.

I loved this movie. It goes to show that we need to leave Godzilla in the hands of the Japanese. Hollywood can't do him justice.

I'm 37, I took my two oldest children to see this movie and we loved it. I cried a lot at the man's hardship. This movie is as much as it is about men and their trauma, overcoming it, standing for others - as much as it is a kaiju movie. One of the best movies in years in my opinion.

I appreciated some of the attention to detail on the hardware. IRL, Takao survived the war and was surrendered to the British, and the film has her come back from that port. The destroyers are accurately rendered, and I've had to explain to people that the fighter used at the end was a real, built, prototype. There is a level of care and respect, both to the audience and the art, that does not exist in the west in this generation.

Watched this movie yesterday. My wife and I talked about for at least an hour afterwards. Loved the movie, best of 2023.

So good!!! I love this movie because the cast convinced me that they had a real investment in the relationships in this movie making me really care about them and their fate. Wow!

Brilliant review Paul. I want to call your attention to one other really well done bit of allegory and playing into the movies themes brilliantly. That only the history nerds will pick up on. Obviously the biggest central theme in the movie is survivors guilt. Coming back from the war that most didn't. Failing to do your duty and die. Now, let's talk about the ship. The Destroyer that most of the main cast are on at the end. In a bit of brilliance the ships name is only mentioned in passing when introducing the Captain. And never spoken again. Although it is painted on the side in English lettering. (Surrender requirement). The ship is the IJN Yukikaze. This is a very very special ship to the Japanese and to history. Yukikaze who's name translates as "Smowy Wind" has a more common nickname. "That Which Survives". Yukikaze is Japan's version of the Enterprise. She is the only Japanese Destroyer to survive the full kength of the war. The last of her class of pre-war destroyers. She was in every major battle. From Pearl Harbor to Midway to Guadalcanal all the way through the Philippines to the ill fated Suicide charge of the Yamato off Okinawa. She suffered no major damage. And brought all but three of her crew home alive. She was present escorting all 3 of the enormous Yamato's when they were sunk. Yamato, Musashi and the Carrier conversion Shinano. And thus we see her tragedy. Yukikaze became known as the Death Ship. "That which survives". Yukikaze would always survive. But if you could see Yukikaze, you would not. To lay eyes on her at sea was to know you were doomed. But at the same time the ship was still a hero. She had sunk American warships off Guadalcanal. She had rescued more Japanese sailors from sunken ships than any other ship. She was known as an honorable ship even by her enemies. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf at Samar upon witnessing the incredibly heroic actions of the USS Johnston in charging the Japanese Battleships in order to let the slow American Escort Carriers get away, and then proceed to sink and maul heavy cruisers and chase away the Yamato. The Yukikaze slowly came past the sinking and doomed Johnston and snapped to attention along the rails. Saluting the bravery of her crew and Captain. And this one isn't just an old war story. It appears both in the Yukikaze Captains logs and in multiple reports from survivors of the Johnston. The ship our heroes were standing on was the physical embodiment of that Survivors Guilt they felt. It's a brilliant bit of subtle allegory.

The film moved me as well, as my wife and I couldn’t help but shed tears. It got us emotionally invested because of how the characters were built for us to connect and care for them, though we aren’t of that culture. This was filmmaking done extremely well.

I loved this film on so many levels. One tidbit that made me smile was the ejector seat. Earlier in the film someone mentions how cheaply Japan had treated its soldiers' lives. "No ejector seats in the planes" was specifically mentioned. Later, while the experimental plane that Koichi uses to kill Godzilla is being repaired, Tachibana notices the pilot seat has a GERMAN label on it: No doubt delivered by their former allies during the war. That is why the plane had an ejector when things like Zeros did not.

i wouldn't never have thought a Godzilla movie could make me cry

A couple of things you didn't mention: By framing the story around a kamikaze, you truly did not know how things were going to end. It was always tense. It could very well have ended with him completing his original mission and performing the suicide run, and that was visible as a possibility from very early on. But you didn't know. Also, they made mention of Japan's lack of ejector seats in aircraft during the pep talk, which helped you see a growth arc not just for the main character (as he finally learns how to not run from his responsibilities), but for Japan as a whole. Amazing movie from start to finish. Best I have seen in theaters in a long, LONG time.

This movie rightly framed a monster disaster. You cannot trust your government to protect anything from a Monster. In many circumstances the Government often is a monster itself.

A man can't die for something unless he has something to live for.

"Is your war over?" Im not crying! you're crying!

I loved that they used music from the original 1950’s movie in the final scene

I’m so glad this movie is getting the recognition that I deserves. I absolutely LOVE this movie and I’m so glad to have seen it in IMAX and ScreenX. I kind of want to see it a third time. This is one of those rare movies that I keep thinking about, long after I have seen it. A rare monster movie where I ACTUALLY CARED about the humans.

Best movie I've seen in years. Absolutely beautifully told tear jerker. I went in expecting a monster mash and got so much more.

So glad to see this movie thrive! It deserves all the flowers

Watched it twice and still loving the movie. It's amazing to be able to show a good Godzilla movie with amazing human characters in 2 hours!! Apart from the main characters, I found myself tearing up over the development arc of the minor characters too. Tachibana (aircraft technician) and Sumiko (the lady neighbor) both moved on from their resentment to encouraging Koichi to embrace living again. Noda's (Naval engineer) and Akitsu's (Captain of the minesweeper crew) decision to not bring along their young crewman, as an act of placing a war-free future on him also made me cried. All in all, great movie! Can't wait to get the blu-ray!!!

Great review Chato, I saw Godzilla Minus one just a few hours ago. I drove 70 miles to see it. I had to see it on the big screen ,I had to know if anyone can still make a Great film, I too was also was in tears, Hollywood is Dead , But not great filmmaking, Thank you Toho

I’ve see the movie three times now, and I loved hearing you narrate the movie. I have BEGGED friends to see this movie, it is so, so good. When I saw the movie, I heard Chato’s voice in my head saying, “Look at all this great Gear Porn!” Not that it lacks a human touch! But: It’s just got everything in it!!

Watching you secretly choke back tears as you relive the story is exactly how I have felt every day for two weeks since I saw G-1. Best film I've seen in years. Whole theater erupted into applause when it ended.. and again after the credits! Perfect script, brilliantly directed, great acting, the whole art department, composer, sound design, cinematography, effects... I mean the set dressing alone is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Outstanding.

SUCH a great film! Hollyweird is morally, creatively, and intellectually bankrupt. More please Toho! Arigatō Gozaimasu too all involved in the making of this stellar film.

It's my favourite movie of the year by far. I never expected that a monster disaster movie would have me on the edge of tears not once, not twice, but three times. And if I hadn't been able to read the German text on the ejector seat, which telegraphed the ending, I probably would have gone full on waterworks after Koichi's final attack. It is so refreshing to see a movie with so much heart that is so incredibly genuine. Most major Hollywood productions feel artificial by comparison. To make a cooking analogy Minus One is a homecooked meal with fully realized characters, heart and thrills, while Hollywood produces readymade tv dinner. They all have the exact same recipe for the monster disaster movie in each studio down to the number of jokes and jumpscares, the timing of when the monster first appears and how it is defeated and always dumbed down way too much and trying to hide the lack in story or characters with random visual noise. Three times in the last five years my favourite movie was made in asia: Parasite, RRR and now Minus One. I don't think that's a coincidence.

Take notes Holywood. You can make compelling human characters in a Godzilla movie instead of them just watching or being fodder for Godzilla's fights.

51 yo male here and I was moved to tears several times. I felt like I was right there in late 1940s post-war Japan. I’m not even a Godzilla fan and this has become one of my top 10 favorite films of all time along with classics in my top 10 such as Solaris, Taxi Driver, Empire Strikes Back, The Shining, Dekalog, Spring Summer Fall Winter… and Spring, Michael Clayton, Burning, and Parasite. Yes Godzilla: Minus One is that good.

The most amazing thing is that its apperently possible to make a movie under 250 million dollars something modern hollywood cant understand

I loved the movie. Saw it in the vip Cineplex in Markham. Was in the VIP area so there was no one under the age of 19 there. Was able to order some food, beer, popcorn and soda. It was our Christmas event so that's why went and splurged a bit. The movie was so good. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I was hooked every second. The whole theater laughed at one joke that was made. I love the foreshadowing they did in this. I'd love the way they used sound and music. Godzilla felt powerful and terrifying. You felt for the characters. You were happy when they were happy. You were sad when they were sad. But according to the left, I should have just been an emotional rock while watching this movie because there was no one on the screen who represented me there to have a personal connection.

The best part about the ejector seat reveal is that we see it happen in the background of the transition shot from the plane explanation. In the back, as you see the mechanics getting everything ready, you see Tachibana do the same gestures to explain everything to Koichi as he does in the reveal, its the same point in time! Its such a cool twist because its actually hinted at earlier in the movie, instead of coming out of nowhere, we just don't realize that's what is going on!

My God Mr. Chato, you made me want to go to this movie more than anything else. Your discription of the stories and scenes litterally had me all choked up and routing for the charaters. It soinds like an amazing masterpiece of story telling. It harkens back to the original Godzilla movies and how invested I was to all the people and the monsters. It is hard to believe stories like that still exist in this world. I am looking forward to seeing this movie next week with my son. Thank you.

This movie is a bit of a miracle. Never once in the 40+ years I've been watching Godzilla movies have I cared about the humans in it. This one not only had me crying at their plight, but wanting a sequel to see where they go next.

My jaw had hit the ground at Godzilla’s first appearance and remained there until the end of the film. Paul, you articulated everything I thought and felt watching Godzilla Plus One. Bravo!

This movie had me in tears like few movies ever do, especially current year. It is a masterpiece.

It was a brilliant decision on the writer's part to move the setting for the movie back a decade (1954 to 1945, hence 'Minus One) bringing in all the associations with Japan's defeat in the Second World War, the wreckage in the cities, the death of so many military and civilians, the destruction of families, and guilt over everything done or not done by his characters.

Came for the thumbnail, stayed for the review. Thanks, Paul. Can always rely on a fair and balanced review from you. 👍

This movie was amazing. For what it cost to make it is a mega winner.

This is such a special movie. A celebration of men and their sacrifices, and redemption arcs, a historic account (even without referencing Godzilla) of a tragic period in Japan's history, the many portrayals of the human costs of war. That's all before we get to the big G. I cannot begin to describe which emotions I went through while viewing this movie with my girlfriend. Godzilla was terrifying to the core and demanded absolute respect and awe from the audience. "Is your war.... finally over?" asked with such tenderness. Everyone going through personal challenges felt this line to the core, it was almost calling us out to be better people. 10/10 easily and one of my favorite movies of all time

Just saw this movie today. It is one of the best films I have seen in a theater in decades!

The Japanese were always good at Kaiju. They were also good at drama. So none of the accolades this film has received is surprising. It was so good, I think I will pay to see it a second time.

I love that... They'll become an item but "the director, the bastard that he is" will drag that to the end. GOLD!

A movie for a Budget of $15 Million Dollars has to be the Movie of the year. They also have to win an award for special effects and those actors have to be nominated too... SPECIAL 😊

Best movie ive seen in years, im so obsessed, not since Jurassic Park 1 , have i been for repeat viewings.. a true miracle , in a sea of shit..

It's proof that you don't need characters to look like you in order to identify with them!

I've seen it twice. Once with my mother who introduced Godzilla to me when I was a kid and again with my Kaiju geek friend.

I really loved the film. I had no idea it was going to be such a well written film! The story was completely unique to anything I've ever seen before, I've never seen a film from the perspective of a disgraced japanese kamikaze pilot. I was in awe at the humanity and the level of empathy i felt for the characters! Man, it feels like it's not often that i care that much about characters in a film. It definitely transcends language barriers. Oh yeah, it's ALSO a Godzilla film! Haha

I saw this movie twice and I teared up just re-living the moments with you.

This is a nigh perfect monster film like Jaws (even with the homage to it). It's not about the monster, but the characters we meet along the way. Best movie of the year!

Better late than never for the review Paul! This was an amazing film and def ranks among the best films ive seen all year!!!

Best movie of the year. I became so attached to all the beautifully written characters.

Although my daughter is now in her latter 30s, the little girl _"Akiko"_ in this movie made my Daddy-eyes water-up more than once.

I enjoy that Godzilla was an allegory for Koichi's guilt. Growing larger and more destructive as time goes by. Pushing it down, and dragging it back up does nothing. Only facing it had on and ejecting himself from it, finally killed the guilt.

My wife and I were SO entertained by this masterfully made film. Your breakdown of the plot and the characters was insightful and interesting. My honey and I are so delighted to see that so many others were as touched and as wowed as we were by this fantastic movie.

Loved this movie. Great review. I hope Toho can continue their line of kaiju films with this level of quality. Hell, I'll take even a little below this quality, this was so good

Man, I knew it was good, but I just saw it today. It was amazing. The layers of stories going on are deep. War veterans ashamed of what became of Japan, how the war was fought, the youth feeling like they missed their opportunity. The reluctance of the citizens to be asked again to put their lives on the line. Those are just the side characters lol. This was a great movie, and Godzilla is done really well.

They did this for under 15 million, such a high quality piece of work for that low of a budget.

Went in for the giant monster kills and action, came out with emotional damage 😅 10/10

Just by sheer coincidence I got wind of this movie and was lucky enough that a theather near me showed it. And by god, I was blown away. To be honest, I dont care much about the humans in godzilla movies... let them get trampled, eaten, vaporized, huzza godzilla! But not this time... I liked the "family" of three... I liked the small crew of the boat... I wanted them to life and be happy and rebuild japan and go on with their lifes. It helped that godzilla was simply a brutal monster this time, no saving the humans from other monsters, no plopping out of the ocean cause of some misunderstanding... godzilla came and took what he wanted, just terrifying. A great point for me was the sound design... you can feel each shot, each impact... and even the impact of the silence hits hard. Im sooooo glad I could see this juwel on the big screen and if you havent, try and go see it, it is definitly worth it. Thanks for the video, Chato. ^^

I receive this movie like a ton of brick in the face. I am a huge Godzilla fan and this movie is the best ever made and the best of 2023.

I will be seeing the movie tonight. I’ll bring some tissues.

Just come out of the cinema and got home and this review is bang on especially regarding the little details. Till today i would have not thought it was possible for an audience to be rapt in silence, but this director managed it. Loved how they made godzilla on land very close to his origanal style of movement while making him menacing and the change in style when in the water. I loved that we also got to see the trauma and not just have it convientily used as a plot device. And both loved and hated the director for what he did toying with us on the survival or death of the 2 leads who we were routing for...he played his cards well looking back i can see the clues but because of the timing in the moments you are thinking of other things very nice use of misdirection...the bugger got the tears out of me as well, i was tricked well and he earned it.

It was OUTSTANDING; I didn’t expect a tear jerker.

This sounds amazing. Can’t wait to see it 🦖

As a 52 year old life-long Godzilla fan, I can say this is the best Godzilla movie ever. Godzilla is legitimately scary, and the human story is brilliant and heartbreaking. The redemption arc is beautifully done for all the characters, and it ends perfectly. Been a long time since I cried at the movies, but this one hit all the emotions.

"There's no crying in Godzilla movies!" Ummm...there is, and not just the actors. Hey, I have allergies...there's dust in my eye...I'm not crying...I'm NOT!

I've seen a lot of kaiju movies. That scene with Noriko dangling out of the train was about the first time I was really afraid for somebody.

I wish modern Hollywood got it, but alas, they don't seem to or want to. It is good that gems like this movie are getting the recognition it deserves.

it felt like a throwback to a better time. when the idea of a giant monster smashing your house is considered a better time says a lot

Best movie of the year by far. First time I REALLY CARED about the humans in a movie. Saw it with my brother and husband. I want to see it again.

I saw this with my mother, who is no fan of kaiju movies. She *really* liked the movie however.

I think it's inspiring, because it put the best side of human nature on display.

SOLD! I'm going to see that movie. Can't wait!

We grew up with Godzilla and it was awesome to have him back.

Women have asked “what is that men really want?” - it’s simple, men just want Noriko

Sounds like a proper homage to Ichiro Honda's 1954 Gojira.