Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color - Movie Review

Chris Stuckmann reviews Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color, starring Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Sakura Ando, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Kuranosuke Sasaki. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki.

[@gestaposantaclaus]

The protagonist was never a coward. His entire arc is realizing that he wasn’t a coward to begin with. That he was worthy of life.

[@ritawilbur6128]

YES! Thank you. As a kamikaze pilot, he was supposed to throw his life away for an oppressive government that was willing to sacrifice its citizens in a war it had already lost. His refusal to be a tool for this machine is not so much about bravery or cowardice but about valuing life. So for him to choose to live again in the end by parachuting out of the plane is an affirmation of the choice he made in the very beginning.

[@phftheebonidiot637]

i expected at the time that the mechanic had lied to him, but it had much greater meaning as a choice he made to survive.

[@snezanaboskovic8781]

Not a coward!!!! A tormented soul and a wonderful human being. I paid attention to the people and their lives and their struggles, and I barely noticed Godzilla there

[@fattinuggies3571]

@@ritawilbur6128pop😊😊😊😊😊po

[@blur8163]

@@phftheebonidiot637Same, I thought the bomb safe was actually eject, but the way they did it was great for the theme

[@hihhuli1000]

Even though I absolutely love Godzilla, I was not expecting a Godzilla film would be my favourite of the year. Here’s hoping they win their well deserved oscar nomination!

[@artfire28]

I'm dissapointed when it only got nominated to one category but you know what the Oscars really are. When they announced the nominations, it received the loudest applause in the room.

[@FutureLifeSounds]

It should've gotten nominations for Best Sound and Best Film Editing as well.

[@jackkain7141]

I agree, but don't think it will. Alas, the Oscars don't take into account "You did THIS with only a tiny, minuscule budget". It looks like something that's typically 4-5x the budget, but you can still see the seams.

[@kevincheek4237]

Biggest surprise of 2023 for me. Not a HUGE Godzilla fan, but I adore Minus One. Second favorite movie of the year and it wasn't even on my radar prior to its release.

[@OGMillyMillz_]

Chris grew up with Godzilla

[@zeinmoussa6829]

The story about the 3D glasses was absolutely hilarious

[@colli_wolly]

The same thing happened to me when I went to watch Spider-Man: No Way Home, except I did pay to see it in 3D at the time. Also, when I saw Avatar 2 in IMAX, the theater rep handed out 3D glasses, even though they did not advertise that the screening was in 3D, and I really did not want to see it that way.

[@pierluigidipietro8097]

This proves that 3D movies are just meaningless or at least just superfluous to the movie experience.

[@lawsondawson6383]

Chris describing this experience sounds like a weird dream I would have

[@ishaan863]

man thats never happened to me but it would be so annoying to see literally NO ONE else notice 💀 but then again id probably walk down and complain that it isn't 3D, has to be a mistake right? last time i was in this situation 1/3rd of the screen was dark and like the top of the footage was gone and i waited until half time to complain. biggest regret of my life (because the movie was 5 centimeters per second, (Chris should review) )

[@nyanturismo]

I knew there was something funny incoming, but still busted out laughing when Chris looked behind at the audience hahaha

[@kingofthesharks]

At the end, Noriko living was essentially his 'reward' for choosing to live. The movie wants audiences to value life and community. Although the assumption that she was lost helps to fuel Shikishima's will to fight, his survival ultimately leads to discovering what surprises in life are at the other end of his war, which he would've never known if he kamikaze'd

[@jeffreycarey1680]

That's a good point with regard to her place in Shikishima's arc. I also saw Noriko--alive but certainly not unscathed--as mirroring the experience of the hibakusha: those who survived the atomic blasts and faced a medically uncertain future as a result.

[@j.f.fisher5318]

Yeah and the telegram was obviously because she was alive. And for me there was a certain movie logic "we didn't see the body" thing.

[@perspicacioussimpleton7288]

Not to mention the thing that was on her neck, which seems to be hinting that she was affected by the regenerative radiation of Godzilla...​@@j.f.fisher5318

[@jamaicaqueens22]

​@@j.f.fisher5318She survived because of Godzilla. If you check the last scene again Godzillas cells infected her on her neck. She regenerated. There's repercussions coming for her surviving.

[@jasonchavez8706]

Noriko lived? Bro I am coming for u. The world isn't that big.

[@Alfredo.Rafael]

Seen this movie three times, the scene where Noriko is trying to convince Shikishima that he's still alive, man, that scene brings me to tears harder than any other movie has ever hit me. I've been through homelessness four times and pretty much left to die in the streets by my family, and every time I forgave them and let them back into my life it only lead to more tragedy that befell me as they simply went on like nothing ever happened. To me, Godzilla in this particular movie is a PERFECT representation of what trauma has been like in my life. That scene where Shikishima just lost Noriko cause of the blast from Godzilla's heatray, and he can't come up with a reaction more logical than to simply scream in horror and dismay, THAT'S what it feels like to suffer abuse and trauma. It's absolutely brilliant. This movie is a f****ng good movie. Enough said.

[@TheDiabeticGameMaster]

hey, just wanted to say, sorry you had to go through that, and I hope you are doing better now, friend. Stay safe out there!

[@Tz3952ii]

Omg... May God be with you all the time 🙏

[@Alfredo.Rafael]

@@TheDiabeticGameMaster everything's better now, thankfully. I've a lot of work to do to catch up in life so to speak, but luckily I've had the support of someone else in my family who's given me a second chance at life, God willing; I'll be wise enough to live up to it. Thank you for your kind words. I hope I didn't inspire pity, I did just mean to highlight how brilliantly I think this movie takes one through a sort of healing journey, cheers!

[@Alfredo.Rafael]

@@Tz3952ii thank you, with you as well

[@erinm9445]

Hugs

[@tony_wonderful]

Saw this last night in black and white and i agree it really enhances the film. Godzilla is way more frightening and terrifying, it pushed it to the top of my favorite Godzilla movies

[@stdocyuze9000]

Yeah, Sumiko was also way more frightening and terrifying. lol

[@AdamRice9740]

@@stdocyuze9000Totally 😂

[@tylersvedin3864]

I watched the original 1954 movie yesterday right before going to see this. Honestly, it worked incredibly well as a sort of double feature. This movie feels like a direct response to the way the original ended. Choosing to live and respecting life instead of celebrating needless self sacrifice and death.

[@Madmax-tv8ih]

Bro, I am an Indian I recommend you to watch Malaikothai Valibhan, a malayalam movie with polarising reviews and directed by Lijo Jose Pellisery like Jallikattu, Churuli, Angamaly Diaries. Please Review Malaikothai Valibhan movie and pls suggest to Movie Audiences and Cinephiles 🔥😊 Don't miss this Masterpiece 🙏

[@jts8053]

Saw -1.0/C last night. It was my 3rd viewing as well. The first time I saw it, I was a little irked at the survival/reappearance of Noriko at the end, and I heard some folks mention how Shikishima should have died in the crash to redeem himself. But after the 2nd viewing, I though about those things and realized: A) He had to survive. Not just for himself or Akiko, but showing him the eject button and telling him to live was also the completion of the mechanic Tachibana's journey. He saw Shikishima's willingness to make things right and forgave him by telling "Live." B) A recurring theme for Shikishima was that his "war isn't over." He says this a few times. The last line of the movie was Noriko asking him "Is your war over now?" No one else could ask that question of him at that point of the story with anywhere near the same weight. He is at the hospital with Akiko, seeing Noriko alive. His dream of a family was actually returned to him, and his answer to the question allows him to finally move forward. Chef's kiss to the writers.

[@BleedingUranium]

Well said. A core theme of the film is about valuing life, including one's own.

[@oldmate734]

Takashi Yamazaki wrote this movie just by himself, as well as directing it. Simply astounding

[@goldengriffon]

Agreed. Though, if Noriko had looked a bit more worse for wear it might have been more believable. I guess that would have been a bit crass though.

[@boarlee2391]

​@@goldengriffon might be late to the party but at the ending scene, you can actually see a black mark on Norikos neck, and it was confirmes that it was Godzillas cell, which explains how she survived. Maybe a set up for a sequel.

[@SMathai]

The ending was actually heart breaking - you can see that even though Noriko survived, she's actually in a way still dead. The camera zooms in to signs of cancer on her neck, cancer from the radiation fallout from Godzilla. Very likely everyone else will suffer as well - so it's a bittersweet survival. Their fight to live happy lives continues.

[@HarveyRSM00]

Almost didn't catch it especially in the black and white. I didn't jump to the conclusion of radiation contamination but now that I think about it makes sense.

[@yusefendure]

Cancer doesn't have legions that spread that quickly. Noriko has been...touched by Godzilla, but we'll have to wait until the sequel to find out what kind of radiation poisoning she's got.

[@Tazzytoodle]

Pretty sure it is not cancer. It grows and moves

[@RichardsShortHorrorFilms]

Yes.@@yusefendure

[@SMathai]

I only saw this once, so I only have the first impression to go on. However, I don’t imagine the writers had in mind turning this into a marvel she-hulk-zilla movie, but keep it as regular people in terrible circumstances. However, if it’s vague enough to multiple interpretations, then that’s great as well.

[@simonwells733]

It's comforting in these modern times to know that there are still movie makers capable of making good movies

[@samulityyska2269]

Congrats to both Godzilla Minus One film crew and the King of the Monsters himself for the Oscar nomination! Well deserved!👏👏👏

[@chrisbrasel8060]

The first time ever Godzilla got this honor in his long long career. Could've been nominated for more like Best international film, best sound, best director and best picture among other nominations but that's just me and others congrats to the team for making it this far.

[@eliasfigarzon9813]

We all know that they deserve better than just one category, 7 or 8 is the right number, but we know how Americans and Hollywood tend to act so it's kind of if not very sad. Perhaps they shouldn't be nominated at all, these awards are very small without almost no significance on these days looking how they changed their meaning. Films and the cinema industry deserve better. Better than this.

[@elizabethshannon5477]

@@chrisbrasel8060It’s just me, as well. This was my favorite movie of the year. Go Gojira!

[@samulityyska2269]

@@chrisbrasel8060 Totally agree!👍

[@guillermor.tinajero1338]

The writter and director also worked in the VFX, so if Godzilla wins, the director of the movie would get an Oscar.

[@tommyshelby2787]

I saw Godzilla Minus One in black and white version. It was far better than colored version. The minus color version gives you an old classic film vibe. It is a beautiful art with more depth than colored version. You feel like you are watching a movie shot in the late 1940s. A fine choice by the director to give us a black and white version.

[@HanmaHeiro]

I couldn't agree more

[@erinm9445]

I have only seen the black and white, and really want to go back to see the color. I find B&W very distancing. This is such an emotional movie, I want to see a version that pulls me in. I agree that the B&W feels like watching an old 40s movie though.

[@superdopehiphop]

I want to see it in black and white too, but you make it sound like the color version wasn’t excellent.

[@erinm9445]

@@superdopehiphop I saw B&W first, then went out and saw color the next day. I loved them both. B&W feel like an atmospheric old 40s film, which for me added something but also took something away. I found the b&w more emotionally distancing, and also literally harder to see what was going on at points; plus the film is GORGEOUS, which only color can do full justice to. They were somewhat different experiences (but only somewhat), they were both great, and if I had to pick just one I'd for sure I'd pick color--I care more about emotional engagement and stunning visuals than a nostalgic atmosphere; though I've always liked b&w films less, so I'm biased. One final thing: people keep talking about how godzilla is actually scary in this movie, especially in the b&w. I don't know what they're talking about. I am such a chicken at movies; I won't usually watch horror because it just scares me too much, and though I love monster movies, I'm usually very tense and scared and shutting my eyes for big portions. I wasn't really scared at godzilla though. Don't get me wrong, it was intense, and I had huge empathy for the fear of the characters and the stakes for them, but *I* wasn't really scared much, nor was the friend I saw the movie with.

[@stevenszatmari-li7ex]

Saw Minus Color today and was blown away. Couldn't believe I was watching a b&w Toho Godzilla movie in a theater in 2024! Felt like I was 5 years old again and I'd gone back in time. Been watching big G for well over 60 years. Thought I'd died and gone to heaven. And by the way, for me it completely blew the color version out of the water!

[@amirgarcia547]

The fact that Chris even made this review in black and white is pretty hilarious to me lol I loved Godzilla Minus One though, and I’m definitely planning on seeing this black-and-white version due to not having rewatched it yet. And this would give the best excuse to do do.

[@Kaijutopia]

Minus One not only changes everything for Godzilla, but it also changes the kaiju genre. Likewise, I thought the ending was great because it was well-deserved. While the family the main protagonists formed may seem unorthodox, it's the bedrock of our history. In our 100,000+ year history, who isn't descended from someone adopted and raised by another family?

[@douglasalsbury7136]

I cried.. like I never cry in movies. It's just a love letter to my childhood. I was always made fun of for watching Godzilla movies by what amounted to my whole family and my friends at school but that love and passion stayed with me and oh man this got me multiple times.

[@maingamer6846]

The fact that Chris made his review in black and white to go along with this is incredible.

[@nickvannan1005]

If it helps anyone who feels unsure about the woman miraculously surviving at the end, at first I thought it was pretty cliche, but I then couldn't help but think that the fact that her survival was unknown to the main character for some time actually added to the themes and nature of the film. The way I see it is: the main character not finding out about her survival until the end could serve as testament to just how badly in shape war (and now Godzilla) -torn Japan was at the time. Even two years alter, the characters were still living pretty much in a shantytown. Maybe she was buried under rubble for a few days, and maybe the communication and hospital administration systems were still in just such a state of shambles that it did take time for the main character to get the letter about her survival.

[@jcapo5]

I think it was beautiful having him live and having her be alive. Because I think the movie was deeper than just a monster. It was HIS monster that he was running from. And when he couldn't face it, it kept killing all the people that he loved. When he was ready to face his monster and over come it, he can have what he wanted all along.

[@nicks4802]

What he wanted all along….. was an ejection seat

[@letsgetdangerous2785]

I was really moved at the movie by the realization that while he had the making of a happy family right there he couldn't take it because his shame and guilt was too much to think he deserved any form of happiness. For that reason I really was equally moved that unexpectedly it was still there for him after he had settled his many demons.

[@fostena]

She has a sort of Kaiju radiation poisoning, probably has very little to live.

[@jng99]

That’s a great analogy. I hadn’t thought about it that way before.

[@SMathai]

Agreed with everything you said, except the camera zooms in to show Noriko has cancer from the fallout. So... the struggle continues.

[@CadolfWasHere]

this cinematic experience was absolutely just the best edit: i had no idea ... there was a colour release? i almost dont even wanna see it -- the movie as it was in black n white made me cry for like 2 straight hours. ive literally never rooted for humanity in a godzilla movie ever before this film it's almost a crime to call it a "movie" -- it's a cinematic art piece.

[@Rough_Estimates]

Imo best film of 2023, see y'all in theaters. It deserved at minimum a nomination for best picture.

[@Madmax-tv8ih]

Bro, I am an Indian I recommend you to watch Malaikothai Valibhan, a malayalam movie with polarising reviews and directed by Lijo Jose Pellisery like Jallikattu, Churuli, Angamaly Diaries. Please Review Malaikothai Valibhan movie and pls suggest to Movie Audiences and Cinephiles 🔥😊 Don't miss this Masterpiece 🙏

[@grayden4138]

Seeing 'Minus Color' tonight. Will be my 5th time seeing it. Officially the most-viewed film in a theater for me. Last time I saw a film this 4 times was 'The Dark Knight', and 'The Phantom Menace' before that.

[@Cassie00111]

My most viewed movie too

[@brendan00013]

My most viewed movie too! Last one was The Wind Rises

[@Denariusjay]

Same! The last movie I saw four times in the theater was Top Gun 2. Godzilla Minus one is a once in a decade type of film, we don't get these master pieces very often.

[@AdamusStellar24]

Going to see Minus Color tomorrow and super excited, also seeing the Iron Claw as a double feature. I agree about Noriko. When I saw the ending the first time, I was equal parts overjoyed she was alive and confused as to how she was alive, or at least not horribly disfigured. One intriguing, but grasping-at-straws theory, is Noriko was somehow mutated by Godzilla’s radiation, maybe inheriting some of its regenerative abilities (hence, black mark on her neck)

[@Sharkman1963]

When I left the theater after watching the color version of G-1, I remember thinking: "There was something odd about this movie." Took me a couple hours to decide that what was odd was that, except for the first action sequence on the island, the entire movie was shot in clear, bright, glorious daylight. Which makes it seemingly the very first monster/action/superhero movie in all of recorded history that you could see what the f*ck was going on. Whoa!! Mind blown!! So this black and white version may actually be more "comfortable" for movie-goers because it's a little harder to see what's happening and a little darker. I have to say that I very much enjoyed being able to see all the action, as initially unsettling and unexpected as that was.

[@zachman1483]

Only saw this in Minus Color and it was a super cool experience, especially hearing the classic theme play! Now I can almost imagine what it was like to see the original back in the 50’s.

[@rjg02005]

I can't wait to see this in "Minus Color!" I loved the supporting characters of this movie just as much as the main ones. The lady who initially yelled at him when he came back to the rubble but eventually became one of the people who looked after the "daughter," the mechanic from Odo island who came back to fix up the plane and encouraged Koichi to try to survive, the young captain leading the group of boats to fight... every one of them made this such a soulful movie.

[@LITTLEFOOT918]

They don't directly say why she survived but they give subtle hints as to the possibility. They mention Godzilla being radioactive how it spreads. They show how Godzilla glows from the radioactivity. In the hospital they show that same glow on the ladies neck. She's infected. She's mutated. She healed like Godzilla heals.

[@fostena]

I always thought that she has very little to live, like she has been poisoned or maybe she is a host of some kind of Godzilla spawn. Never considered it to be a happy ending, not for one second. But yeah, I guess one can interpret it as magic healing

[@mrmacneil]

I’m so stoked to go see this in B&W. I have already seen the color version twice now and I’m excited to see how different this feels. Also because the Oscar noms are back in theaters near me I’m going to do the Oppenheimer to Godzilla Minus One double feature.

[@djsoulfilter]

Same here!

[@keepingupwithculver545]

Seeing this movie in black and white reminded me of how The Mist (2007) was made black and white for the directors cut, as it gave the movie a more apocalyptic feel than the colored version, and made the experience 10x better, and that’s definitely the case with Minus Color.

[@HarveyRSM00]

What? I need to find this

[@NeoConnor1]

The Mist? You can find the black and white version on the two disc Blu-ray.

[@GLASSB182]

The survival of the woman almost took away for me when logic prompted itself (lack of radiation burns, not casts, etc.), until she spoke the final line "Is your war over?" and how he broke down saying yes, devoting a redeemed life to be with her. That kinda hit me, and preferred the ending.

[@nerulon089]

Godzilla should have been nominated for best acting as well. The actors in this movie did a phenomenal job. This was the first Godzilla movie, when I felt bad for the characters, and didn't mind the scenes where Godzilla wasn't on the screen. 10/10 movie for me. I will watch it in black and white for sure!

[@eliasfigarzon9813]

Objectively speaking this film should have been nominated for 8 or 9 categories, and also objectively speaking it should win in 5 or 6 of them but we know how Americans and Hollywood act, so yeah.

[@a_waff1es_0pinion76]

@@eliasfigarzon9813completely agree

[@andydufresnefromshawshank5866]

And best international film

[@eliasfigarzon9813]

@@andydufresnefromshawshank5866 oh yeah I also was forgetting that one lol. Sorry my bad.

[@awesomeproductions7755]

Who would've thought that a *_GODZILLA_* movie would garner such overwhelming praise from pretty much everyone who's seen it? I'm still *_SUPER_* impressed by the high scores this movie got, considering how hit and miss these films can be with critics - from the high praise of Shin Godzilla, to the generally good reviews of the 2014 film, to the mixed to bad reviews of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, to the critical *_DISASTER_* the 1998 film was.

[@brianmiller1077]

Well, the critics might have taken the 1998 film personally, it made a mockery of two of the best known movie reviewers.

[@nitsugazemag]

I completely agree, and do think that it could have had much more love in other categories at the Oscars, but happy to see just how thrilled the team was when they heard Godzilla Minus One be announced.

[@Madmax-tv8ih]

Bro, I am an Indian I recommend you to watch Malaikothai Valibhan, a malayalam movie with polarising reviews and directed by Lijo Jose Pellisery like Jallikattu, Churuli, Angamaly Diaries. Please Review Malaikothai Valibhan movie and pls suggest to Movie Audiences and Cinephiles 🔥😊 Don't miss this Masterpiece 🙏

[@Olphas]

I really hope they will show Minus Color somewhere around here ... I am not even a Godzilla fan. But this movie ... so good. Was on my third spot of favourite movies of 2023, too.

[@Madmax-tv8ih]

Bro, I am an Indian I recommend you to watch Malaikothai Valibhan, a malayalam movie with polarising reviews and directed by Lijo Jose Pellisery like Jallikattu, Churuli, Angamaly Diaries. Please Review Malaikothai Valibhan movie and pls suggest to Movie Audiences and Cinephiles 🔥😊 Don't miss this Masterpiece 🙏

[@donferoce5652]

I thought they really deserved a nomination for film editing; the third time I saw it I paid attention to that aspect in particular and I was so impressed with the shot choices and the timing of the cuts. I wasn't sure if Minus Color was going to be worth a look but now I'm definitely going to check it out.

[@TalooFoH]

Minus color is the only version I've seen. I genuinely can't imagine watching it in color without diminishing the experience. Absolutely stunning film. Was the third of four total showing within a four hour drive of where I live. I was the only person in the theater, shit was heartbreaking.

[@bgloper]

My only thought is that I wish there was a way to watch it in black and white EXCEPT for the atomic breath. I think that would be astounding to just have that random splash of color in the midst of everything else. I suppose I’ll wait for the fan edit that does that upon home release. Excited to see the B&W cut today! Also wish it had more of a showing at the Oscar’s, it’s rated higher than even some of their best picture noms, but I will also continue to appreciate that it got any at all.

[@conormaguire683]

👍

[@redare7]

I had thought the spines could be in color like "Schindler's List" and then came to my senses and realized the choice would be, justifiably, excoriated. Just read that the spines could be symbolic of pulling the control rods on an atomic pile, really fits.

[@KidYori]

absolutely sobbed uncontrollably at the end, it deserves all the praise it's receiving !

[@grahamjohndavis]

Great review. I thought the black & white version of Frank Darabont’s The Mist really added something that improved on the original colour movie. It’s much more eery. Probably because The Mist is a monster B movie and in black & white it really has the vibe of watching a classic 50’s monster movie. Apparently Darabont wanted to release the movie in black & white originally, but it wasn’t allowed by the the studio, but he dressed all the sets and all the clothing in colours and shades that would grade well in a black and white conversion. I loved Godzilla Minus one and can’t wait to see it Minus colour.

[@UberNoodle]

It was. Definitely. But my only issue with that film is that The ending is cheapened by turning the arrival of the military into a punchline rather than a more natural event in the story. The way that it's edited at least makes it seem like it's minutes after that tragic moment in the car that the military arrived. It twist the story around to almost attack the protagonist. It comes across as the film being vindictive to the protagonist. It makes you the viewer notice that you are watching a film. It would have been a lot more impactful and true to the story to have that event occur a little later at least. Maybe he's got a day or two to really wallow in the misery of what he did and his regret, and then the military arrive. It would have been so much more poignant. So when I watch the film now, I actually pause it before the military arrive on the road and pretend like he's been sitting in the car for hours, days even.

[@Harry64278]

@@UberNoodle very interesting point

[@shannonchurchill4556]

I've seen it 5 times now (IMAX first, 4DX second, [can't recommend] and standard 3 times) and can't wait to catch this version. Every time I saw it, something else popped out to me that I hadn't caught before, because I paid less and less attention to the subtitles with each showing. I saw a clip of the final battle when he blows up the decoy ship and it seemed like the explosion had more definition and detail than the color version.

[@mgrzx3367]

This movie is delicious. Minami Hamabe and Sakura Ando are fantastic actors. Two of my top 10. Thanks for the review.

[@Madmax-tv8ih]

Bro, I am an Indian I recommend you to watch Malaikothai Valibhan, a malayalam movie with polarising reviews and directed by Lijo Jose Pellisery like Jallikattu, Churuli, Angamaly Diaries. Please Review Malaikothai Valibhan movie and pls suggest to Movie Audiences and Cinephiles 🔥😊 Don't miss this Masterpiece 🙏

[@TonyFernandezjkdjedi]

Watched it two times at the theater, I've never done that. Best Godzilla movie hands down.

[@nostrebornod]

I’ve been watching your reviews for the past few years, but ever once in awhile I watch a review of yours that just reminds me that you are my favorite movie reviewer, and you have such great insights into the films. This was another one of those.

[@Madmax-tv8ih]

Bro, I am an Indian I recommend you to watch Malaikothai Valibhan, a malayalam movie with polarising reviews and directed by Lijo Jose Pellisery like Jallikattu, Churuli, Angamaly Diaries. Please Review Malaikothai Valibhan movie and pls suggest to Movie Audiences and Cinephiles 🔥😊 Don't miss this Masterpiece 🙏

[@houston-coley]

An important reason that I was okay with Noriko surviving in the end was that it showed that when you choose to live, you don't know what good things might await you that you didn't expect. If Koichi had sacrificed himself and died, he would have never even known or found out that Noriko was still alive-which would have been a pretty huge tragedy. So yeah, I did have that feeling of "isn't this a little too good to be true?" when I first watched the twist, but after some thought I think it serves the theme of the movie all the more.

[@redare7]

That is not Noriko. Or at least Akiko does not acknowledge her as her mother. Akiko entered the room, didn't change expression and hangs back behind Koichi to the end of the scene. Noriko is now, partially, Godzilla with the visible moving mark on her neck. The director put the view right on that mark telling us it is important.

[@whysosirius2]

I'm in a small town so I missed the first limited release. I was super stoked to see that it was back this weekend! Just saw it and was blown away. It was a blast, pun intended! I loved the black and white but now I'm super curious what it is like in color.

[@Jay30k]

Fun fact: when you play the movie Godzilla backwards, it's really a movie about a giant lizard that helps to rebuild the city and then moonwalks back into the ocean

[@Harry64278]

Can you make that video?

[@krustykrabpizza4328]

And a man that slowly descends into madness

[@DanCummins]

Completely agree about the happy ending. To me, a strong theme of the film is the ways in which our human connections - love, teamwork, friendship, family - can be the lifeline towards healing from trauma, ptsd, guilt, etc. It's only as the characters learn to embrace these connections that they are able to defeat Godzilla. I see it as the movie making a statement about how healing works - it is not a purely individualistic thing, but something that happens when we allow others in. To undercut that with a downer ending would have, I think, really messed up that theme. This isn't The Mist. I also think that, with the tragic epidemic of suic1de among various populations of veterans and other trauma survivors, having the story end with the two leads dead would have been an icky look for a movie so concerned with the power of hope and resilience.

[@fostena]

How is it a happy ending? It's beautiful but tragic

[@SMathai]

To expand on "beautiful but tragic": camera zooms in at the end to show Noriko has cancer from the fallout.

[@bun5118]

This movie was an EXPERIENCE. I really wanted to see Minus One and saw that the only showings this weekend nearby were the B&W version. I decided to give it a shot and took my Dad who is def a fan of the most movies from the Godzilla v. Kong Universe. He actually strays away from anything international because he hates reading subtitles but this movie had him engaged from start to finish. I consider him the average moviegoer and now we’re already making plans to see it in color once it’s out on streaming. This is in my top movies of 2023 for sure

[@deusex3124]

That story about the 3D glasses really cracked me up. I saw the colour version in the cinema recently and it's definitely one of the best films I've seen in a while. Also as a sidenote it's great to see a film with subtitles getting such recognition because it often feels like so much stuff is overlooked because it's not in English.

[@trevorstockwell8290]

Who ever this director is did a fantastic job and with as of small of a budget he had, he put Hollywood to shame.... seriously sir I tip my hat to you sir

[@adampellett4917]

I hope they’ll get a visual effects award from the Oscars. They deserved it.

[@UNSTABLE111]

Its either this or The Creator...I really feel like The Creator could take it too because thats an 80 million dollar movie, which is considered mid budget in hollywood and it looked like a 300 mill movie.....It even looked more expensive than DUNE and it sure looked a hell of a lot better than The Flash..id be happy if minus one win though, and Im kinda disappointed Godzilla didnt get an original Soundtrack nominee...that ost truly eleveated the film

[@guillermor.tinajero1338]

I was troubled by him surviving and the reappearance of her at the end, but immediately started crying after I realized something: Their survival strongly enforces the message of the movie. Characters often shame on war, and encourage the future, they defy the cultural idea of back then, that "dying is an honor". So him deciding to survive is him learning that not doing Kamikaze was not cowardly, but courageous. If he had decided to kill himself, he would've never learned that she had been alive all this time and he would've willingly given up the opportunity of seeing her again. Her reappearance is the reminder that life is worth living, things may look bad, but good things might be on it's way and if we give up we'll never find out.

[@SuPeRNinJaRed]

The biggest thing I wasn’t expecting (aside from making the cgi blend in seamlessly imo) was how much Minus Color emphasized the musical score, when the classic Godzilla theme kicked in it absolutely boomed (so much so I was wondering if with the color grading did they possibly do some sound enhancing too, I don’t think they did but that’s how much a difference it seemed to make) I must also admit I actually cried in a couple parts and I didn’t in the color version, which I wasn’t sure if I was just in a different mindset or if the lack of color sharpened other aspects of the film (this was also the first “monochrome” version of a modern movie I’ve watched so maybe I wasn’t expecting it) but in conclusion I can deny the way it made me have different feelings than watching the color version, so I’m gonna go with it and say it definitely is a new (yet classic cinema) experience you rarely get to enjoy like this, let’s keep supporting these films and these alternate versions so we get more like this!

[@SummahSun]

The whole movie's message is that nobody deserves to die in war, nobody should be sacrificed. The protagonist went from being afraid of death, to accepting that perhaps it was only death that could be his redemption from his past failures. Him surviving showed that truly nobody deserves that, every life is sacred, even the man who blamed him for the death of his colleges at the beginning of the movie wanted him to live, not wanting any more death and suffering. I'm so happy he got to live, and gets a happy ending after all his suffering.

[@WhosTheMorley]

I haven't even seen this! Who would have thought this would have been better then all the Live American Adaptations of Godzilla!

[@GoB1996]

Anybody who knows who ToHo is lol

[@POSSIBLYDYL]

I went to the theater to see Poor Things but missed the showing and ended up getting a ticket to see this without knowing anything other than its Oscar nomination. So when it started in black and white I was surprised but thought this was the only version. I was blown away and I’m scared if I see it in color I won’t love it as much. It truly felt like I was watching a film from the 1950s that just never got released

[@DJ88Masterchief]

I saw it last night. The set design, costumes and actors all fit into the black and white aesthetic. Some of the CG shots look a little weird, so I would say about 95% of the movie works. But the color movie is so vibrant that I just love the original version more. Black and white is still a little treat though.

[@wallacekao9076]

I saw the minus color version yesterday in the Toho cinemas at Shinjuku, Tokyo. I totally agree with Chris here that the black and white really enhances the experience this film brings. A lot of acting, Godzilla details in appearance appear to be clearer and impressive. Having seen the original colored ver. twice in the US, aided a lot chewing through Japanese dialogue without subtitles, but also benefits the view by not having subtitles distracting me from the performances.

[@redare7]

How does the Japanese audience react to this sunning film? We stood and applauded at the end of the minus color version at Tanforan theater. I dragged five coworkers to see it since I knew it was fantastic. Side note, Tanforan was a horse racing track and was used to house the Japanese-Americans that were then sent to internment camps, to our shame.

[@redare7]

Stunning, of course, sunning has nothing to do with this great film.

[@padawanmage71]

I was floored when i heard this is the first Gozilla movie EVER to get nominated for anything! It floored me even more as WHY it didn't get Nominated for Best Foreign film? I'd read that Japan didn't submit it for consideration? Either way, I will be getting this in Blu-ray when it comes out. As to the 3d Glasses thing...NO ONE else noticed? God God...

[@jianyuyj2016]

This film came out after the deadline for Oscar consideration. It qualifies for 2025 Oscar instead

[@whimsicalman]

They know how the american Hollywood is I guess

[@donindiana8504]

​@@jianyuyj2016then explain why it was nominated for best visual effects of the deadline is passed?

[@xtraalexx909]

I just seen the Godzilla Minus One, Minus Color version as my first time seeing Godzilla Minus One, and i can say hands down its the best movie ive seen to date, the effects, the character development, and the horror was off the charts, im very happy i saw the 70th anniversary minus color version, because it just added that much more to the horror parts, and really gave an example of how it was a few years after WWII, and made it seem believable if it actually did somehow happen in history. Even my grandma saw this and she said it was THE BEST movie shes ever seen, and she loved everything about the historical accuracy, the charecter development and acting and the small slices of horror, and i really agree with her in every way, if you haven't seen it, you 100% should, 10/10 in my book.

[@DogBrainDingus]

Godzilla Minus One was so great, probably tied with Guardians of the Galaxy 3 for my favorite movie going experience of 2023. Such great heart and action in both films.

[@ChasingWaterfalls99]

Saw it tonight and loved it! I dont understand why people wanted it to be more tragic. That guy deserved a win!

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

One wrinkle regarding the lead character's development: He knows the giant Godzilla might have never happened had he pulled that trigger on Odo island. So all that death and destruction at Godzilla's hands are on his shoulders. I think this (rightfully) sets him back to levels of shame and guilt far beyond his initial sense of disgrace. Another state of "minus one" if you will. So when he goes on that final mission, I'm not sure he was ready to live without the mechanic's forgiveness.

[@Kllnmesmllz]

I have love Godzilla since I was a kid, and this is the first time I was ever terrified of him. Watching it for the first time in black-and-white must've been similar to what people experienced in the 50s when they saw him for the first time. Amazing!

[@Pupeyes]

I didn’t necessarily mind her surviving. What took me out was how beautiful and perfect she was in the end and the bandages looked like they were barely hugging her “injury” 😂

[@scoke15]

This is an interesting comment that I've seen quite a bit since the movie came out, re: how good she looked in the hospital at the end. I thought the whole mysterious "neck" visual answered that. When Godzilla nuked Ginza, the blast blew off parts of his body too - his body that could regenerate itself. I'm of the understanding that those biological shards flew into some of the victims of the blast, including Noriko, and immensely helped their healing process, possibly even making them stronger.

[@bigdreams5554]

​@@scoke15exactly... She's a little too beautiful after the blast... Hint hint. Looking forward to the sequel

[@EZ-IZZY1995]

Yeah...she would probably look more like Anakin Skywalker during thr Mustafar scene....

[@SMathai]

@@scoke15 Interesting interpretation, but in my opinion doesn't fit this movie. This isn't a marvel movie where people get magic powers from radiation (Hulk), this is a movie of regular people dealing with devastating circumstances. One of those is living on after Hiroshima/Nagasaki - people got cancer and kids were later born with lots of genetic disorders, as would the survivors of this Godzilla's attack.

[@UltraRareCustom]

The story about the 3D glasses was absolutely TRAGIC, how distracting to have that in the back of your mind, and disheartening that NO OTHER "Super Fan" noticed... actually appalling. Much love Chris! love seeing Godzilla in this way, enhancing the terror

[@SassyScentsTM]

I just watched it today for the first time, and I have to agree, it's the best Godzilla film I'm seen. And the B/W they did was excellent; it even made the already great CGI look better, I feel. I'm genuinely amazed that this didn't have a significantly larger budget.

[@catbravo994]

Loved that you did this video in black & white. I saw the movie a few times in color and one time in IMAX. I wish the minus color would be in IMAX, such a missed opportunity there. I got my tickets for the minus color and can't wait to go see it. I have been a huge fan of watching Godzilla movies since I was a little girl watching it with my dad. I passed on that tradition with my daughter.

[@SkullHQ]

I feel like no one is talking about how when Noriko comes back, she's got this growing blackness in the veins of her neck. Very prudent to her return.

[@nicholasbella7459]

Regarding the woman surviving at the end... I wonder how many ppl noticed the mark on her neck. She got some of that Godzilla juice in her. I believe that's how she survived.

[@idontwantahandlewhymustidothis]

I love Godzilla, but did not expect it to be the 10/10 movie that it is

[@deerjerkydave]

I loved how the Japanese veterans chose to live for Japan instead of die for Japan. And I loved the redemption of the mechanic who hated Shikishima. They all had reasons to hold grudges but chose to forgive and live for a better future.

[@Plaidx2Productions]

I really hope the 4K release of this film gives us both editions!

[@celticbat3792]

Reminds of Roger Ebert saying, "The world is in color. Black and white is value-added."

[@Cattle_Snacks]

I’m seeing this film for the first time this evening! No color version. Can’t wait based that what trusted people have said… 😊🙌🏻

[@SlideRSB]

I respect that they actually went through the effort of grading each shot for black and white instead of just turning the saturation down. In spite of that, if you want to make a black and white movie for artistic reasons, then shoot in black and white.

[@frederichiebler4690]

This movie is so well written just for the characters development, you feel for them and are completely invested in what's hapening to them. I am not a fan of Godzilla movies but i went to see it because of the buzz it was getting. It is very moving and simply well acted, it is also so good that it is in japanese, the emotions from the actor come through so brightly. And all this for $25 millions. So much better than the average garbage you get from hollywood. It feels so nice to see little gems like this! I went to see it twice...

[@SeanBlazze]

I didn't even know this was a thing, looking forward to seeing this version

[@VastKrutEmpire]

It's definitely much better than you would expect a Godzilla movie to be. The protagonist has a great hero's journey arc. And the rebuilding of lives in a shattered Japan by sympathetic characters adds much emotional depth. There are a LOT of hackneyed plot contrivances, though, that kept undermining the film for me a bit. Every time I was getting very impressed by the film, something made my eyes roll and brought it back down to earth. Impressive as much of it is, it never quite escapes B-movie territory. Perhaps it doesn't want to escape. That's perfectly fine. There's a place for movies like this. I agree it is the best Godzilla movie, but I think there's plenty of room to make one even better.

[@samuellee257]

Godzilla Minus One B&W version reminds me of The Mist (2007) in B&W. The VFX looks so much better without color. Really hope they win Best International Film!

[@superdopehiphop]

This (color version) and Oppenheimer were my 2 favorite movies of 2023. Both masterpieces I thought.

[@chromebull884]

This movie was the first Godzilla movie I was able to see in theaters. I was a huge godzilla fan as a kid into my teen years. The monsterverse movies started when I felt like I was "to old for Godzilla". On the 30th of September I almost committed suicide out of shame for an addiction. Not long after that I found a KZbin channel explaining how all these movies were made and what they meant. It reminded me of a safe place from my childhood. I found out this movie was going to be released November 31st and went to my local theater. It wasn't till the second time watching this with my sister that I realized my addiction was my Godzilla. I didn't have to kill myself out of defeat. I must live and fight against it and kill it. If I had gone through with "dearh before dishonor" my family would be "orphaned".

[@sirdropbeartv]

i feel the black and white will enhance the CGI especially in the 3rd act in the daytime on the field

[@ghostdragonzw5241]

As a Godzilla Fan since I was 6 yrs old I Loved this movie and I am going this week to see the Black & White Version. But I have always loved Black & White Movies. I Can't Wait. Oh, This will be my 3rd watching.

[@sophiaisabelle01]

The colored version is as bright as my future. Only I can see the dark amidst the light at the end of the tunnel.

[@kellysucksatgaming8354]

The fact that I actually teared up at the end tells me this is the best Godzilla movie.

[@shannondore]

I didn't know there was a black and white version, I'm intrigued. The color version is one of the best Godzilla movies I've seen in a long time.

[@weston407]

I tell people that if you take Godzilla out of the movie, it’s still an amazing movie - for some reason people think I’m joking when i say it was the best movie of 2023 but I LOVED it and am seeing it again next week

[@JoeGrizz1y]

I thoroughly enjoy their film. Everything about it is good to at moments excellent. The only thing I do dislike is the random reintroduction of his “soon to be wife”. I felt like the emotion would’ve hit harder if he lived and went back to the child. Making his life mission no longer a suicide attempt, but now his mission being to become a father. I felt like that would’ve gave the film more weight and would’ve really gotten the emotion out of me by the end. Highlighting a happy ending, but one with trials. I feel like they suckered out and made the sudden reintroduction out of fear of audiences hating the end. Not giving much merit to the audience being smarter than they think. Overall, it is the best Godzilla film since the original and it definitely is rewatchable. That’s all that matter while it still gives some heavy talking points for viewers.

[@fabiorosolen]

Minus One and the original one from 1954 are the best.

[@geekedkryptonian614]

Saw it last night, and it was my third time. It really took me back to the original 1954. I hope this version of the movie is included with the 4K and Blu-Ray as well.

[@HoopleHeadUSA]

My 2nd fave movie of 2023. Soooo good, saw it 3 times in color. Seeing the black and white next week! Chris - Parasite has a nice b&w version too

[@chrisridenhour]

I enjoyed it more the second time and in black and white. The aesthetic gave it a more haunting quality

[@57tye23]

Saw this in its original format back in December and caught a minus color showing on the 25th and let me say, if you liked the movie or appreciate Godzilla you NEED to see this while it’s out! The way he looks in black in white AND color is worth it!

[@Bloooo95]

I actually just saw this today without realizing it was black and white nor having seen the original release. It was great. It felt like a WW2 era film. I’m excited to see it in color though to get a second fresh experience of it. :)

[@waywardlaser]

This was my movie of the year. Even as a longtime Godzilla fan I was not expecting to say that.

[@SG98Films]

The oscars robbed this film. 8 nominations for Barbie is a joke. If you give Barbie 8 nominations then you gotta give Minus One like 13

[@JakeRanney]

I can't wait to watch Shelby Oaks in 3D!

[@kenhallermd8897]

Good Lord! 2023 was an amazing year for movies, and I've been doing my best to catch up on as many of the big Oscar-bait films as possible, but I never suspected that the movie that would absolutely destroy me is “Godzilla Minus One.” I saw it tonight finally, and I sobbed through the last 20 minutes. It is one of the most emotionally engaging, deeply moving films I've seen in at least a year. What makes it so captivating for me is that the characters are all deeply wounded, most especially the main character, Koichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki), a kamikaze pilot who can't go through with his mission so that he feels like a traitor to his country and is subsequently wracked with survivor guilt. In addition, this is probably the first narrative film I've seen that is set in Japan immediately after the end of the war, mostly in a Tokyo that has been reduced to rubble. To go through this experience with an entire society whose characters are all suffering from PTSD, and then to have them experience more trauma in the form of a monster whose heat ray destroys cities with the force of an atomic bomb, is absolutely wrenching. Yet with all of this baggage, the movie is still wildly entertaining. The special effects are flawless. I have rarely seen a film that is such a brilliantly effective combination of social commentary, rollicking adventure, and deeply engaging characters. I saw “Godzilla Minus One Minus Color,” and it is gorgeous, a brilliant homage to the earliest Godzilla films. While I would love to see it someday in color, it is still deeply affecting and thoroughly engaging in this current format. By all means, do not miss it!

[@eliasfigarzon9813]

This movie objectively speaking should have been nominated for 8 or 9 categories, and also objectively speaking it should win in 5 or 6 of them including best picture. But we know how Americans and Hollywood act so it is sad to say at least, but at the same time these awards have almost no significance on these days by looking how much they have changed their meaning, nothing to do with how it was when they were created during the first 40 to 55 and 60 years. On this I give my professor of filming all the reason when he speaks about these awards on the modern day.

[@Aaron-cc7yq]

I haven't seen the color version, but I just saw this version tonight and it was without a doubt the BEST movie experience I have had in years! The black and white put it over the top! I would only want to watch this version again and again