Drinker's Chasers - Godzilla Minus One: Our Favourite Movie Of 2023

In a year filled with generic superhero flicks and disappointing overstuffed flopbusters, Godzilla Minus One turned out to be a surprise hit that pleased everyone.

[@josh113866]

Godzilla's Atomic Breath attack in Minus One is jaw-droppingly beautiful and I think his most powerful yet.

[@liamphibia]

Yeah, probably more jaw-droppingly beautiful than MonsterVerse Godzilla's.

[@Indianaflynn]

His roar was so loud in the cinema I was at that people watching different movies on screens adjacent were complaining they could hear it.

[@sethheier7548]

White Eyes Godzilla aka GMK

[@rhedosaurus2251]

​@@liamphibia Legendary Godzilla's heat ray drilled through the Earth for miles. I'd say that would make it far more powerful.

[@josh113866]

@@Indianaflynn The best way to have it, up to 11!

[@M.C.ThomasReviews]

I appreciate the fact that the characters are actually SMART. They make quick, logical decisions and come up with a brilliant plan at the end. Nobody says or does stupid things for comedic effect.

[@cronid9623]

Very refreshing seeing a film that actually treats a monstrous threat as a threat, instead of a jokey, videogame baddie.

[@Dave.Angel.Eco.Warrior]

If this has been made by Disney there would be some throw away quip at the end of every scene. "It breathes fire now?!" , " It breathes fire now!"

[@soundtreks]

Yes and their reactions were in line with how real people would respond. Tachibana’s reaction to Odo Godzilla was what everyone in the theatre thought at the sight of the monster destroying the watch tower. “We’re screwed”. Yes.. yes they were.

[@leohirtsche8341]

I loved the way they used "plain" physics as their weapon. Fight the force of nature with a force of nature.

[@JnEricsonx]

Boat Captain: We're gonna stay and fight! 10 seconds later: NOPE WE'RE GONE.

[@liamphibia]

The fact that the director actually commented that he wished the budget was 15 million dollars. That is *insane.* I tip my hat off to Toho and every single individual who brought this film to life. The Japanese still continue to be the MVPS in the entertainment realm. And I will *happily* rewatch this movie over and over again once it's on DVD.

[@liamphibia]

Also, Happy New Year to y'all.

[@ConnorMcCartney95]

There's only like 13 people credited in the visual effects and there's about 1400 on Godzilla (2014)

[@fammader96]

I‘m sure Hollywood films are made for 15 million. The rest of the money is laundered.

[@michaeldc951]

It was an awesome movie. There were definitely some parts of the movie that you could tell the had a smaller cgi budget, but it took absolutely nothing away from the story and it still looked great!

[@marbellaotaiza801]

The director actually commented that he wanted the Open Bar Crowd to like his movie.

[@jenniferst.george810]

Godzilla is how you do a blockbuster- cgi at a minimum with a plot driven story.

[@Masteroftheweb]

It wasn't minimum CGI, it was just good, unnoticeable cgi

[@nk_3332]

Thank you for mentioning Tachibana, the mechanic, he too had to put the past behind him. For me it was a bit of a spoiler with the German writing on the pilot's seat, but then I wondered if Tachibana would forgive the pilot and tell him about it. It was the perfect closure for their arc that once the pilot was willing to die for something, Tachibana ensured he could live through it and was relieved/overjoyed that he had. Everyone worked through their survivor'as guilt and escaped the shackles of the past in their own way.

[@EclipseHedgehog]

i also loved as soon as "mechanic" is brought up again, your mind immediately goes back to Tachibana, and as soon as it cuts to the shot to his legs and how he walks, you immediately remember and recognize him.

[@zoeadkins9095]

I greatly appreciate Tachibana doesn't have some long-winded, expository explanation for his turn of heart. He simply tells him how to work the ejection seat, firmly takes Koichi by the shoulder when he recoils from it, and commands him: "Live." Enough context clues are given for the audience to piece it all together themselves. Tachibana believed Koichi was responsible for tearing fathers, sons, brothers from their families through his inaction. Only to find himself in a similar position now. He learns Koichi has a little girl waiting for him back home. Though he has resigned himself to death, Tachibana has the opportunity to help ensure he makes it back home to her alive. He doesn't want to see another family torn apart by the war that has yet to end for either of them. For all I know, he may still resent Koichi to some extent. But he, too, seems more eager to see people living for the future rather than fighting to the death. It's a genuinely touching way to end their entwined story.

[@EclipseHedgehog]

@@zoeadkins9095 agreed. we also have to remember he wasn't mad at Koichi for not committing to kamikaze, he was mad at him for not shooting godzilla or at least doing something, He agreed with him after all near the shore.

[@wambutu7679]

Same thing happened to me. It said ejection device right on it. But from me the moment I read it I thought he would eject. Didn't care. Minor point. Went and saw it again with a friend. 😏 I just made sure he couldn't speak German.

[@rbp9773]

​@@EclipseHedgehog That wasn't Tachibana that talked to Koichi on the shore, it was the guy who tried baiting Godzilla back towards the plane so Koichi could get another chance at shooting Godzilla with the 20mm.

[@harbl99]

Did..did I just watch a moving story about a failed kamikaze pilot coming to terms with PTSD and survivor's guilt in a _kaiju_ film? Well played _Godzilla -1_ .

[@seb2750]

I just watched this movie, the guy's redemption arc is amazing.

[@samnieves8158]

this is the essence of great b-movies

[@andrewtaylor940]

@@samnieves8158You can’t even call it a B movie. It’s a movie using one of the world’s most recognizable franchises and characters. Yet it uses it to tell this beautifully crafted human story that is compelling even without the giant monster.

[@Roymerewayne]

As a lifelong Godzilla fan, this is an unbelievably joyous moment for me.

[@seanmckelvey6618]

Here here!

[@roboatnick6178]

It’s not just 2023’s best film, it’s the best of the past few years, IMO. I was amazed that not only did the main character have an arc, most of the secondary characters had arcs! It’s astounding in an era where Hollywood doesn’t seem to remember what a character arc even is.

[@bobjohnson1633]

Even when we have to come to terms with how the Japanese make films and some of their peculiar tastes.

[@rankoorovic7904]

If Hollywood doesn't understand the lessons from Godzilla minus one they really are completely detached from reality

[@looinrims]

They think everyone who doesn’t vote democrat are Nazis, they’ve been detached from reality

[@sickbozo8152]

narcissists never learn, and hollywood is a 24/7 narcissist assembly

[@dagdamor1]

They are definitely the latter. The Mario movie made a mint right in front of their eyes by simply being competently done and not a piece of propaganda, and they STILL didn’t take the hint.

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

I suspect they will learn nothing. I'm convinced that many of the studio heads simply cannot understand what a story *is.* It's like expecting a color-blind person to suddenly understand what 'green' means just because someone else was successful at drawing a lawn that the public praised for being very realistic. The colorblind person cannot see the colors, so they cannot duplicate that success. _[ note: I'm somewhat "color deficient" myself, in that there are some very different colors which look exactly the same to me. I do not mean to insult colorblind people by comparing them to studio execs... 🙂 ]_

[@vincentfalcone9218]

Lol pretty sure most of Hollywood still doesn't even know this film exists. They exist in a true masturbatory bubble.

[@Dolphination]

Seen it twice. Took my daughter, took my wife. All blown away. Most engrossing new film in years.

[@gokhanersan8561]

“In years” for us, too, not just 2023.

[@stevegovea1]

Godzilla minus one was so good my 11 year old didn't mind reading the subtitles. The movie had human and culture development and action perfectly balanced.

[@jamesduncan6415]

Yip, yet another bonus to this movie, an educational tool for young kids to help develop their reading skills 😂😂

[@swanvictor887]

Try Last Train to Busan next: best Zombie film I've ever seen! Its Korean.

[@robertsalcido5518]

Wanted to take my 2 daughters to see it. (Wife def not into monster movies). My 27 year old said “You lost me at subtitles”.

[@swanvictor887]

@@robertsalcido5518 tell the silly sod he is going to miss out on a shit-ton of fantastic movies then lol. Try him with Last Train to Busan or the brilliant Kung Fu Hustle: I'm certain these two films alone, will change his mind....and I haven't even mentioned French films!!

[@stephenmckay6762]

Same here. I was a little worried about the subtitles and long non-monster sections, but he (also 11) just really enjoyed the film.

[@seb2750]

Did anyone manage to get the film's underlying message: HOPE. Not a glorious death, death or glory. Just plain HOPE and I WANT TO LIVE! The fact that the participants all pulled together in a common belief and threw themselves into it really inspires me. Even the kid did his part in his own way

[@TheGreenKnight500]

Oh yeah. It's very much a story about choosing life over nihilism or suicide. I can see how it would be particularly poignant in a Japanese context, but it's a very human struggle universal.

[@sgtmac62]

Just saw it for a second time. This time, I really could appreciate the writing. Far deeper than I thought. As a war vet, I found myself tearing up. Thanks guys, all the best.

[@swiss_Otaku]

its no surprise that for me my favorite stuff came from Japan this year: Godzilla Minus One, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 , Resident evil 4 Remake and so on. I look back at this year and I am happy that atleast somewhere in the world we still get great new entertainment. I am also happy that I was finally able to visit Japan again this year. Never change Japan. Wish you all a great 2024

[@vincentfalcone9218]

Western culture and entertainment is so weak that I'm not surprised Japan is really filling the void. They've always been 2nd to the U.S. in terms of worldwide cultural influence. At this rate I wouldn't be surprised if they take the #1 spot eventually.

[@spencerstabio5936]

Check out Suzume as well if you can.

[@bobjohnson1633]

Jujutsu kaisen is the worst trash I have ever read.

[@GeraltofRivia22]

Suzume was another great anime movie released this year.

[@bluemutt9964]

Best Godzilla film of this era. They treated every character, including Godzilla with respect. There is so much love for the franchise as a whole from Godzillasaurus to GMK. It says a lot that Americans are able to relate to the story of a failed Kamilaze pilot more than most actual US films this year. Godzilla doesn't need to be 400 feet tall to be scary, he's only frightening when you care about the people below. Go Go Godzilla!

[@CatsMeowPaw]

This movie was surprisingly good. I had written off all Godzilla movies as comic book type movies, but this movie had great acting, a good script, and actually made me care about the characters. When Godzilla appeared on screen he really delivered. There was a genuine sense of anticipation before he stomped around a city and then unleashed his nuclear breath. The required amount of people were squished and eaten on screen. Overall this was one of my favourite movies of 2023, and made on a budget that wouldn't get Tom Cruise out of bed.

[@azuresaiyan9005]

Most Godzilla movies are very very different from one another and don’t follow set formulas. The first film is a psychological disaster, Son of Godzilla is a comedic kids movie, Godzilla vs King Ghidorah is a science fiction war commentary, Shin Godzilla is a bureaucratic parody. There is something for someone in each film.

[@jts8053]

There's a lot I didn't see this year, but for me it was Godzilla Minus One and Blue Eye Samurai that shone the most for 2023.

[@GeraltofRivia22]

Puss in Boots 2 and Suzume were also really amazing.

[@ifu138]

@@GeraltofRivia22 Those are technically 2022.

[@the8thknight]

Godzilla deserves gold. Not even just because of this film. It absolutely does deserve it for this film alone but It also deserves it for the 1954 film and for what Godzilla has meant for Cinema over the last 70 years. Long live the king.

[@JustTooDamnHonest]

Godzilla is a pop culture icon and cinema legend that has entertained the masses for nearly 70 years has returned to show Hollywood how it is done and it is the FILM OF THE YEAR 2023!!!!!!!

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

It's so nice to have a movie that people can *enjoy* talking about...

[@liamphibia]

Yeah, a relaxing breath of fresh from the rough madness of it all.

[@kaiju115]

I have managed to see Godzilla Minus One 8 times in theaters, that is how much of a blast I had with this movie.

[@och70]

You absolute legend. I tip my hat to you, sir.

[@norihiro01]

Wow, that awesome!😮 I will see it my 3rd time in B/W !

[@anarwally]

My adult daughter isn't a real Godzilla fan but she really liked this movie too. The reason it was so successful was because it had good, relatable characters acted like real people and made the decisions, mistakes and choices a normal person would.

[@tylergoodman3560]

This was a hidden gem that was rich in storytelling; I hope it makes a lot of money. 🎉

[@thelaughingrouge]

The fact that this movie was made for a few million dollars while Disney is out here spending close to a billion dollars on absolute flops tells you everything you need to know about the film industry.

[@jskrabac]

The amazing thing about -1 is that every character, even smaller side characters, had a pretty amazing arc. Every single one! Honestly, on second viewing one of my favorite arcs was actually the neighbor Sumiko. Koichi, Noriko, and Akiko basically gave her a second life. And it's truly poetic. When we first meet her, she starts crying and hitting Koichi blaming him for her kids death having lost all hope. When we last see her, once again she's crying and hitting Koichi, but this time because of her newfound love for her new family and being so distraught that for a minute he lead her to think he might not ever return. Just beautiful!

[@shercrox8650]

This movie just blew me away. By far my movie highlight of the year. This was real cinema !

[@john_michael97]

I saw it three times, once with my boyfriend, once with my dad, and once with my sister. All of them loved it

[@rathenn6959]

This film was incredible. Especially the small budget and the amazing output from that. Definitely my number one film this year.

[@simcard027]

i'm seriously considering a 40 min drive and a 9:20pm showing tonight to see it again for the 4th time because it will probably be the last chance i will get to see it on the big screen

[@simcard027]

did it worth it

[@escarretada]

Man i watched in 4Dx was insane,

[@dustinhogle3844]

Literally, the greatest film of 2023, and we all know "The Academy" will never acknowledge it.

[@Dave.Angel.Eco.Warrior]

But the whole cast and crew are non-white! It's pure diversity!

[@tomscarborough]

It was a fun movie but the writing was just terrible imo. I can excuse the melodrama because that seems to be dime a dozen for japanese action flicks. But this movie was the most cliche ridden thing I’ve seen in a while.

[@bertimusprime7900]

​@@Dave.Angel.Eco.Warrior pure diversity is a hilarious concept😂

[@gokhanersan8561]

The entire Hollywood press is dead silent about it. They exposed themselves as “advertorial” agencies.

[@SnorgYippee]

Boy do I have good news for you

[@CaptToilet]

Minus One was a beautiful movie. The human side element was written so well and it legit made me teary eyed when things started going south for them. If they truly made the movie for less than $15 million US dollars then my god. It really does make you wonder the hell Hollywood is spending all this money on. Inflated salaries?

[@ip3887]

Look up the budget. I saw $7mil was the actual budget.🤯 A TRUE labor of love in deed and action.

[@gokhanersan8561]

Creative bookkeeping

[@juddgoswick2024]

It was a great film and one of a very few I went to the theatre to see. I used to go to see movies very frequently, but now I barely go and barely watch TV. I hope this movie, and others, will cause a sea change in entertainment.

[@ShockDiamondStudios]

I am obsessed with Godzilla and saw Minus One 5 times now.

[@scottag3597]

I actually went to see Godzilla Minus One in the cinema just because of the praise you guys were giving it. In the end, we vote/make our voices heard with our wallet. Boycott the woke crap, but also reward the good products by going to see them!

[@glennkelso9662]

Sound of Freedom has to be a solid choice for second best film of the year, for many of the same reasons Godzilla Minus One did so well.

[@Blisterdude123]

That was honestly so overrated. When I did get around to seeing it, it was fine, but it was blown out of all proportion by all the culture war dialogue around it. It wasn't a bad film like some were saying, but it wasn't great either.

[@Raiden6277]

I fucking cried while watching it. The main character is a man with PTSD coming to terms with survivor's guilt. Something about having nothing to live for and finding every opportunity to die is relatable for a lot of viewers, me included. The relief of him forgiving himself and choosing to live really brought out the waterworks. Godzilla -1's atomic breath scene has this underlying dread that the western Godzilla movies lacked.

[@zoeadkins9095]

I was hopeful Minus One would be good but I never expected it to have the loving reception from Goji fans, mass audiences, and critics alike. It's such an incredible validation for one of my favorite characters and I'm so happy to see so many enjoying it! I'm thankful the team behind it put in the thought, creativity, skill, and work to make a genuinely engrossing, intense story with Godzilla.

[@scottwalker1300]

Godzilla Minus One was my favorite movie this year by far. Can’t think of another “monster film” in a long time where I was solidly rooting for the humans. All due to character arc that allows for empathy, growth and achievement. (And music transported me to 7 year old self, glued to Saturday morning Godzilla movies)

[@bobjohnson1633]

Rooting for the humans because Godzilla wants just a force of nature, he was an evil rat fuck.

[@Etherealsighting]

To steel man the film, a reason the Japanese weren't keen on using airpower against Godzilla was because they had none. The lack of ejection seats in their planes and the Kamikaze strategy killed off all their pilots and wiped out all their aircraft. Koichi was probably the only pilot they could find and the "locally made Shinden" fighter plane was implied to be the only plane that survive the war. And it wasn't just a kamikaze run to the mouth that killed Godzilla. The pressure change scheme did a lot to weaken Godzilla, but the critical exploit was that the Kamikaze run interrupted his atomic breath and backfired it into Godzilla's body thus sundering it. That's a lot of circumstances that's not easy to project or plan for...

[@logicerrormusic]

Can't believe we got Oppenheimer and its sequel in the span of months

[@shirw]

Saw this yesterday with the fam (hubby and older teens)... it was so good! We all loved it!

[@kh884488]

I think the film is more of a historic drama that happens to have a monster in it than necessary being a monster film per se. I loved it, hoping to be able to watch it again on the big screen soon

[@nickcoupe2964]

Godzilla minus one despite being a film about a giant monster somehow had a real human heart with believable characters you really became invested in.

[@Blisterdude123]

It's funny to me in a way, seeing lots of non Big-G fans reception because a lot of us would point to the 1954 original and say that was always in Godzilla's DNA.

[@mcribprime6594]

Simply put, the perfect movie!

[@isaacmaurice227]

I'm hoping the Black & White version comes to American Theaters I would definitely go and watch for an 3rd and 4th time!

[@ip3887]

🙌👏💯🔥🔥🔥🐲

[@gokhanersan8561]

Yep. My family would be doing the same.

[@ROMANTIKILLER2]

A story told from beginning to end, characters with a clear arc and behaving like real human beings, and substance over spectacle (which was still there where it needed to be): those were the ingredients that made Godzilla -1 better than the vast majority of anything that Hollywood has released lately.

[@velociraptor3313]

A phenomenal movie with interesting characters and a griping story. I'm glad that my best friend and I got to see it.

[@brownline1463]

Many thanks, Drinker, for putting me on to "Godzilla Minus One". I took my son and daughter to see it, and we all enjoyed it immensely. Still, twenty years ago, GMO would have been interesting little movie that appealed to a niche market; the fact that it's the movie of the year shows how thoroughly Hollywood has imploded.

[@godzilla0974]

This movie deserves best picture.

[@stevewright1539]

Minus One is superb! Much like Jaws you don’t need to see the “monster” all the time to create suspense and drama, but when you do!

[@kevinoneil5120]

The trick to making a good monster movie is making the monster's presence felt even when it's not on the screen. Godzilla 1954 did this perfectly, Minus One did it very well.

[@hi_im_ana]

The acting in this film was terrific!

[@marzipanmonkey]

What I love most about this film is it's clearly been expertly crafted and a lot of passion has gone into every detail - but it feels so very simple and a reminder that you don't need to run your audiences through complex and obsessive 2023 analytics to figure out what they ultimately want from you. If you can create likeable, vulnerable yet strong, admirable yet flawed characters and put them on a journey that will get the audience eagerly following on behind and wondering where it takes them and caring about the destination then you're pretty much destined to create an experience the audience will find themselves latching onto and coming along for the ride. Once that is locked in you can just imagine the creativity and ideas you can then surround that with and I just love the fact that in the case of this film where the titular star looms so large, awe-inspiring and literally fills the entire screen at times people come away thinking about the journey of those characters just as much.

[@JnEricsonx]

I'd say this, Sisu and John Wick 4 were probably among my tops for the year.

[@darthkek1953]

Wick 4 is just a boring noise at this point. Wick 1 is the masterpiece.

[@saltycat662]

A lot of people disliked Wick 4.

[@JnEricsonx]

@@saltycat662 I liked it. Needed to see some massive ass kicking after going to the hospital for the better part of a week before hand. I liked it, 1 was the best, but 4 was enjoyable enough. Donnie Yen ftw.

[@GIBBO4182]

@@darthkek1953couldn’t agree more. Those movies just get worse…#1 I can rewatch over and over again

[@Dave.Angel.Eco.Warrior]

Sisu was like a fun grind house film! I thoroughly recommend it, even if it did get a little silly towards the end!

[@godzilla234ful]

“Is your war over?” Never knew I’d tear up in a Godzilla movie

[@fightingfortruth9806]

I think Minus One is also speaking to Japan's young people today in light of their fertility crisis. This film is trying to encourage Japanese men to get married and have families even IF getting married is painful and difficult. Heck...this is a great message for western nations as well

[@Pochita6]

Phenomenal take my guy

[@matthewreyes5951]

That's a bit of a stretch, but I get where you're coming from. That said, it won't help for obvious reasons.

[@alsmith9853]

I was surprised at the sophistication of some of the acting and themes, the protagonist's struggle with being a failed kamikaze and his survivor guilt was an interesting choice for a "monster movie". Great film.

[@StefanoBorini]

I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Amazingly intense movie.

[@agentooe33AD]

My daughter went and saw this movie with some friends, and she loved it. She's not even a Godzilla fan. I do think that in terms of surprise low budget movies that did exceptionally well with a great male lead, Sound of Freedom should definitely be recognized as well. Disturbing subject matter, but a well done movie.

[@AMERICANPATRIOT-dy1ec]

Thank you for the heads up on Godzilla. I went to see that movie on New Year's eve with my family. It Ended at 2 minutes to midnight. What a Great Great Great Movie especially for being a reboot from scratch. Fucking best movie of the last 3 years.

[@radiologer]

Godzilla Minus One was the best film of 2023

[@chasehedges6775]

Puss In Boots The Last Wish my favorite film of the year.

[@josephkerrigan733]

@@chasehedges6775 Wasn't that 2022?

[@tarzantabi7845]

Bassed

[@matthewmagda4971]

Oppenheimer??!

[@1800REDGENESIS]

Sound of Freedom for me.

[@psychomammoth9640]

Great film, one that actually ties the human part towards Godzilla. Really spot on.

[@Amoschp524]

The amazing thing about Godzilla Minus One is that there is political and social messaging in the film that is tailored for Japanese issues but it is done in a smart way. The film was enjoyable as entertainment and if you decide to dig into it, it makes think about different issues. The anti-government and anti-military were the obvious big ones but each of the different characters and their motivations make you think. Refreshing to be allowed to explore what the Director added to the film without it being belted over the head with a hammer demanding that you think one way.

[@robwalsh9843]

I've been a Godzilla fan since I was a little kid. I'm so proud that the King of the Monsters is finally recognized for the badass character he is.

[@Ganon999]

I loved Godzilla Minus One, being a lifelong Godzilla fan it's hands down in the top 5 best Godzilla films and it was definitely the best movie of 2023 for me. It was carefully crafted especially being post WW2 with a kamikaze pilot being the main character. It doesn't bash you over the head with America is bad propaganda or anything like that, it uses the setting appropriately, it's respectful to the audience's time and attention. The film is emotional, grounded, mature, and it's a great achievement.

[@LuigiL75]

I walked away from Hollywood back in 2015 and the inner peace I received afterwards has been miraculous! We don’t NEED Hollywood for our entertainment needs…😊

[@GeraltofRivia22]

I was honestly floored by how amazing it looks with less than a $15 million budget.

[@floridashawn7317]

This is the first time I’ve been back to the theater in 2 years. Loved the visuals of the plane flying around Godzilla. Reminded me of the old movies from when I was a kid instead of the over the top CGI.

[@ascendrio]

Thank you Drinker, at this point you're my signal through all the noise so thank you for the recommendations. Cheers to a new year

[@Kiljaedenas]

Saw it in theatre...damn it was even better than I expected! The characters were smart, made logical decisions, etc...extremely well made!

[@lanzer22]

If someone haven't watched Oppenheimer, I would say go watch it. If someone haven't watched Godzilla -1, I would watch it again with them. That's the difference between the two movies for me.

[@soundtreks]

Another under $15 million production was M3GAN which was also a great film (it kinda of caved to genre tropes in the third act but up until then it was excellent). It also grossed $70 million dollars so another example of modest budget but great story and filmmaking

[@5150serg]

I was just thinking the other day, I want to see Mr. H and Drinker talk about Godzilla Minus One. Christmas just keeps coming! Also , love that Platoon joined in as well as everyone else.

[@VictusPrime]

Godzilla Minus One very easily took my #1 spot for film of the year. It's so bizarre for me to say that for a Godzilla flick, but it really is a testament to how well they made the film. An instant classic for cinema.

[@1coleador]

Attended cinema with my boys. Great time, great movie. Great nachos.

[@hoibsh21]

Any movie with Godzilla is never a little film!

[@jonathankozenko]

To me, I've noticed 2 groups of people -- "2023 was a shit year for movies, but Godzilla Minus One was the shining beacon of light. The one truly good film and I loved it!" and "2023 was meh -- there were some movies that gave me fleeting moments of enjoyment, but Godzilla Minus One was the one that stuck in my mind long after I left the theater!" But like The Drinker, I'm inspired by the fact that I loved a ~$10-12M movie more than any >$200M this year, and for the most part it's not even close - Godzilla Minus One just kicked all of their asses. It reminds me of how in 2018, there was a $5M movie called 'Upgrade' that might be my favorite movie of that decade, because it was clever, craftfully constructed and was memorable despite costing far, far less than countless Blockbusters released around the same time. It really comes down to a few individuals knowing exactly what story they wish to tell, and how to tell it, and they just need the money to tell it - they don't need to use excess spectacle just to trick the audience into believing that something stupid was actually smarter than it is.

[@MiguelFlores-pg8fi]

Minus One is, personally, THE movie of the year for me and a new go to Christmas time movie now. The one thing that bothers me is, how did Noriko survive, it’s the only thing but hey the ending made me cry out of genuine relief

[@theeggshen598]

There were a couple quick shots of a few stitches on her neck. During Godzilla's first attack, when the reporters were on the roof, they said scientists were trying to get some Godzilla's tissue to study it. My guess is they implanted the tissue in her neck to experiment with Godzilla's regenerative powers.

[@zonzillamagnus5902]

Thousands of people survived both nuclear bombs btw

[@askmewhosjoe6682]

@@theeggshen598those were stitches? I thought it was just radiation poisoning in her veins? I thought it was symbolic as to the long term damage of what nuclear war did to Japan ie godzillas attacks as well

[@angeljjustice1345]

This all reminds me of a part in “ FAQ about time travel “ where they stated, “Story is king.. always has been always will be “

[@saltdoll5288]

I chose to understand the incongruity of the pilot’s reticence to follow through on a kamakasi mission, but voluntarily making the choice to - what he thought at first - was a suicide mission by looking at it like this. He saw the first circumstance as pointless; as an act that would not result in much of a positive outcome. *But* the flight into Godzilla’s mouth, he believed, would accomplish what it was supposed to.

[@fishingpatriotisback]

Minus One was SO good. Easily my number 1 for 2023

[@bangazboom9925]

Extraction 2 was the only film I watched from start to finish without interruption. Though I haven’t seen Godzilla or Oppenheimer yet.

[@misugita]

I very much hope that we get the black and white version of _Godzilla Minus One_ as a theatrical release in the States. Even if I have to pay extra to see it as a special Fathom Event or something. Can't get enough of this fantastic film!

[@dimebag505]

Was an excellent film, my fave of 2023, its a shame it didn't show in more cinemas had to go out of the way to watch it

[@AjaxJP]

Every time Godzilla showed up I was genuinely terrified for the characters, compared to Hollywoodzilla who doesn't even seem like a giant monster amongst helpless people.

[@cryptoforecast]

Crazy how Minus One has a better nuclear scene that Openhiemer

[@gokhanersan8561]

Mr H summarized it beautifully.

[@bri55118]

Godzilla is a franchise that has shown it can weather almost type of storytelling. From its horror of the 50s, the high point of the 60s, the goofiness from the 70s. It's rebirth in the 90s. The 200x style. It's something Hollywood just can't master in today's climate.

[@paulsnyc]

Godzilla Minus One ... what it had that just about every other film lacked was characters to care about and a story that made sense and a plot, although it has been done before, easy to follow.

[@fightingfortruth9806]

I didn't even think Minus One was that great of a movie on its own. If it had come out 20 years ago, it would have been an average film. But by today's standards, it feels like a masterpiece.

[@bluemutt9964]

If this came out in the Millennium era it would be considered the best film, you are absolutely wrong lmao

[@fightingfortruth9806]

Return of the King came out exactly 20 years before Minus One. You think Minus One is better? I disagree.

[@1800REDGENESIS]

Agreed

[@RK-ck6pl]

It's just jaws. If America made a movie with special effects like this (flash) it would be ripped to shreds by fans. And the soundtrack is mostly just a tapping noise.

[@MrShadowSmith]

​@@RK-ck6pl ofcourse it's effects are weak because it's budget is just 15 million. The flash cost 300 million and still looks cheap. What a stupid comparison

[@lancethompson6839]

Plenty of details that don't make sense, but an excellent movie and thoroughly enjoyable. Among the best of the year.

[@joshhuntermovies]

Fr. It’s about 16 of the year for me, very enjoyable but heaps of people are overrating it.

[@lancethompson6839]

I haven't even seen 16 new releases this year. @@joshhuntermovies

[@SnorgYippee]

What doesn't make sense?

[@zeronitro2]

I've seen almost all the movies that have come out and this is the best on of 2023 this godzilla movie is so damn perfect. I need to see it a 3rd time

[@MrJustinOtis]

Funny when Drinker brings up subverting expectations. In most Godzilla movies, the pilots flying the planes attacking Godzilla aren't even shown, they're not even characters, they're just there to explode on command as a way to show that Godzilla is practically invulnerable. But in G-1, not only is the pilot the protagonist of the movie, he actually has a death wish through most of the film, which is averted at the end of the film. G-1 is a master class in subverting an audience's expectations in a way that surprises them, while also giving them what they want. A deep character drama isn't something I would have ever thought I'd want to see, or could work, in a Kaiju movie, and G-1 is successful because it delivered something that I didn't even think about, while also delivering on the things I wanted to see.

[@AMERICANPATRIOT-dy1ec]

Me, my girlfriend and her son loved the movie. Her son is 15 and even he got what things are going on in the movie. Thank you Again for your recommendation about this movie

[@barricade1391]

I’ve seen it a few times in two different cinemas and only last night the 9pm showing the cinema was half full which is highly unusual. It’s a slow burner film and could easily keep making bank slowly

[@MrBonified66]

I really enjoyed G-1 even though I couldn't see myself on screen. That's weird.

[@willer3399]

It was great for me. I identified as Godzilla.

[@ip3887]

🤣 ikr! Almost as if the ONLY qualifier that EVER mattered was relatable human experiences. Now watch the slow ones say "you weren't a WW2 kamikaze pilot this movie wasn't for you!" Empathy is a gift few lack. Unfortunately those few are the most vitriolic and petulant.

[@kevinizatt4358]

My favorite part of the protagonist character arc is that he hates himself,as does everyone else, for surviving when his death would have achieved nothing. Yet when it actually matters he's ready and willing.

[@kry0stat1s74]

It is 7:41 A.M. I have been awakened through the powers of either my body, luck, or God to bear witness to a chaser despite not being one to drink. Nice. Good morning everyone.

[@chasehedges6775]

Probably a combination of all 3.

[@jneumy566]

Yes. Perfect comparison betwee. Hollywood's idea of "strong characters" and what they actually are. If this were Hollywood, Shikishima would've stayed a guilt, PTSD, anxiety-ridden man still too afraid to face Godzilla, and Noriko would've probably said something about having to do it herself and then effortlessly flies the plane in herself and who cares if she has no piloting experience. But instead, they actually let him complete his character arc and let her play her role as the nurturing support, and after he thinks she's dead, the motivation he needed to fulfill his arc

[@ashleighyoung5076]

Thanks Little Platton! I watched G Minus One yesterday and thought the same Jawzilla, plus they screened a trailer for Godzilla X Kong and lent over to my son and said let's see how that holds up against this one!

[@nl4064]

watched it twice and cried both times its unbelievably great