Summary
- Godzilla Minus One is being hailed as a kaiju masterpiece, having debuted with a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Critics appreciate how the film takes Godzilla back to its roots in post-WWII Japan, capturing the iconic monster’s essence.
- While there is some criticism of the film for not addressing contemporary issues, overall, it is praised for its compelling story, stunning cinematography, and entertaining nature.
Toho’s 33rd Godzilla film, Godzilla Minus One, could be the best one yet, as following its Rotten Tomatoes debut with a perfect 100%, the movie continues to hold a 97% critic’s score and 98% audience rating. Now the mighty monster movie is following its record-breaking debut with an extended run at the U.S. box office, remaining in cinemas until at least December 14. This follows the news that the newest outing for Japan’s biggest movie export has broken another record, by taking the #1 spot in the U.S. chart on Monday – the first time a foreign movie has done so since 2004’s Jet Li movie, Hero.
When it comes to the unexpected success of the movie, there are several key factors. Godzilla Minus One opened in more theaters than other recent Toho entries in the franchise, landing in 2308 cinemas on its opening weekend in comparison to the 490 that Shin Godzilla opened in back in 2016, and even higher than Godzilla 2000, released in 2000. However, another big boost for the movie has been the reviews, which have been nothing short of exceptional.
To take a look at some of these, we begin with Katie Rife of IGN Movies, who praised Godzilla Minus One for taking the iconic monster back to its roots.
“A rousing, spectacle-filled blockbuster, Godzilla: Minus One takes the king of the monsters back to his roots in post-WWII Japan. The story is character-driven, but the monster scenes are exciting and effective.”
Sarah Musnicky of But Why Tho? A Geek Community awards the Godzilla movie a near-perfect 9/10 and commends it for reminding audiences why they fell in love with the legendary titan in the frst place.
“Godzilla Minus One is a reminder to audiences why we fell in love with this kaiju, but also the universe in which it resides.”
Screen International’s Tim Grierson meanwhile also praised Godzilla Minus One for going back to the roots of what made the monster so iconic.
“Godzilla Minus One returns the titular beast to its roots as a metaphor for Japan’s postwar anxiety and grief, in the process delivering a stirring spectacle that also contains a palpable emotional undercurrent.”
A somewhat more negative take comes courtesy of Matt Schley of Japan Times, who, in stark contrast to other reactions, felt that taking Godzilla back to the past holds the movie back.
“Visually, Godzilla Minus One evokes the original film more than any Godzilla film since the ’50s. But by locating itself in the past, it avoids taking on contemporary issues, more content to be an entertaining ride.”
Related Every Godzilla Movie, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes See how the King of the Monsters fares when faced with his greatest foe yet: the Tomatometer!
Godzilla Minus One Has Boosted the December Box Office
Release Date December 1, 2023
Director Takashi Yamazaki
Cast Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Takayuki Yamada, Sakura Andou
Main Genre Action
Writers Takashi Yamazaki
Back to the applause, and John Nguyen of Nerd Reactor calls Godzilla Minus One the “best Godzilla film” since the original.
“The result is the best Godzilla film since the original 1954 film thanks to the compelling story, Godzilla doing what Godzilla does best, wonderful cast, and stunning cinematography.”
Finally, Aaron Neuwirth of We Live Entertainment calls Godzilla Minus One a “blast” that manages to continue the quality found in 2016’s Shin Godzilla.
“Having to follow up 2016’s excellent Shin Godzilla, Godzilla Minus One is now in the position of having to keep the good faith from the original studio’s investment with this giant movie monster going. Fortunately, this film is a blast and then some.”
Godzilla Minus One stars Ryunosuke Kamiki (Your Name.), Minami Hamabe (Shin Kamen Rider), Yuki Yamada (Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar), Munetaka Aoki (The Roundup: No Way Out), Hidetaka Yoshioka (Dr. Kotō Shinryōjo), Sakura Ando (Monster), and Kuranosuke Sasaki (My Home Hero).
“After the war, Japan’s economic state has been reduced to zero. Godzilla appears and plunges the country into a negative state.”
Written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, Godzilla Minus One was released theatrically in Japan to huge success on November 3, with Toho’s American subsidiary Toho International set distribution of the movie in the U.S. to begin on December 1, and the movie has been a surprising boost to the start of the month. Now it looks like Godzilla is going to continue to roar in theaters for another week, and possibly beyond. And if you’re a fan of Godzilla, check out some fun facts about the monster in our video below:
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