Godzilla Minus One (2023) User Reviews

Maybe the best Godzilla movie since the original

[druss44121-1 · 9/10 · 30 November 2023]

I'm a huge fan of Godzilla, I think the original from 1954 is a genuine classic and a great film (not just a great "monster" movie). The Heisei era is my overall favorite, and I thought Shin Godzilla was weird in all the right ways. It was one of my favorite movies from that year.

This one might be even better. You actually care about the characters. It deals with some very serious topics, such as survivors guilt and the aftermath of war violence on civilians and conflicting emotions around national pride and feeling betrayed by your government. Yet the film is also exciting and optimistic and has some of the best Godzilla sequences ever put to screen. My favorite depiction of Godzilla is as a force of nature, representing the power of the atomic bomb or the fury of war itself. That's the Godzilla you get here. I think this film can very favorably be compared to American classics like Jaws and Jurassic Park, too.

I don't want to say too much, it's best to just experience the movie for yourself. The only part that felt a little false to me was the very end, but I understand why the director wanted to do it that way. The special effects look great for the most part, but there are a couple of shots here and there that aren't perfect when compared to some Hollywood movies. However, it hardly matters. This is an incredible film.

9/10 easily, probably closer to 9.5

My current Godzilla rankings:

1) Gojira (1954) 2) Godzilla Minus One (2023) 3) Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) 4) Shin Godzilla (2016) 5) Return of Godzilla (1984)

Special mentions to GMK, Godzilla vs. Biollante, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) and Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)

The best movie I've seen in the theater this year

[MissSimonetta · 9/10 · 3 December 2023]

I would not call myself a huge Godzilla fan by any means and I mainly went to see this one at the urging of a friend. Holy heaven, I was so surprised by GODZILLA MINUS ONE. In a year where both of my most anticipated movies turned out to be crummy disappointments (BARBIE and NAPOLEON), this movie-- a film I had no initial plans of seeing and had little enthusiasm for going into it-- blew me away.

Godzilla is actually terrifying in this. The post-WWII setting was well-realized, with the characters exhausted after years of violence, destruction, and struggle. The characters were all relatable and interesting-- unlike other Godzilla movies I've seen, I cared intensely about their fates and was emotionally invested in the little found family they formed. And thank God for the lack of ironic jokes undercutting emotional scenes-- after so many trash Hollywood movies, I didn't even know it was possible for a blockbuster to be sincere like this anymore.

Most of all, I love how life-affirming this film is. The cautious but persistent optimism is such a breath of fresh air. About my only criticism is that the ending twist is a little hokey... but to be honest, I can forgive that. The movie is too good for me to complain about a happy ending.

A Masterpiece Retelling of a Classic

[Squirrel_the_Grip_1 · 9/10 · 1 December 2023]

Godzilla Minus One is an amazing spectacle on a retelling of a classic Kaiju movie from the prospective of a post-war Japanese veteran who leaves one horror for the next while making an arrangement of "friends and family" along the way. The story was so compelling that it didn't feel like two hours past and I was craving for more. The classic Godzilla sounds design, masterful cinematography, along with the original score from Akira Ifukube made this movie an absolute masterpiece on storytelling! The visuals of the Godzilla update made him more memorable and menacing for the citizens of a distraught Tokyo. Highly recommended!

This is a different kind of Godzilla movie

[dprinzing · 10/10 · 5 November 2023]

Without spoiling anything, this movie hit different from any other. It felt much more serious and quite a bit darker at times. The movie was amazing, the effects were great. I never thought I'd see a Godzilla movie where people were crying in the theater. It was quite the experience. Godzilla was truly an unstoppable force in this movie, whenever Godzilla would show up it was hard to feel anything but futility. Even in the rare event that Godzilla was injured he was only slowed down. This version of Godzilla might be more evil than Shin Godzilla though his motives are hard to understand where shin Godzilla it became apparent.

This is what a Godzilla is supposed to be

[dormantgene · 10/10 · 30 November 2023]

From the opening to the ending, I was enthralled by the whole movie. It kept everything that I loved about Godzilla, and was able to make an extremely interesting backstory with the human characters. There was a lot of things that was addressed in this movie that I had never seen before.there was so many things that people will pick apart, but that's upon reflection. I had no criticisms or a reason to dislike this movie the whole time I watched it. So, in that respect, I will give it a perfect score. And I don't go slinging those out just every review. As a Godzilla fan, this was perfection to me.

One of the year's best films - a must see for franchise fans of the iconic sci-fi monster that entertains on every level. Utterly fantastic!

[george.schmidt · 10/10 · 1 December 2023]

GODZILLA MINUS ONE (2023) **** Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Sakura Ando, Yuki Yamada, Kuranosuke Sasake, Hidetaka Yaoshioka, Yuya Endo, Saki Nakatani. Director Takashi Yamazaki's Herculean efforts of reviving the Kaiju franchise is effortlessly awesome and absolutely top-tier filmmaking with the origin story of the gigantic monster showing up off the shores of post WWII Japan as it engages a full-tilt invasion of Tokyo and its environs with atypical destruction and death. Key to the film's strength is the plot involving ex-kamikaze pilot Kamiki (suffering arguably cinema's most poignant PTSD) and love interest Hamabe as a make-shift family attempting to survive with the thread of a palpable redemption narrative laced with surprisingly heartfelt emotion. The clean visual f/x propel the radioactive creature is jaw-droppingly astounding with some neat extras (his spiny back igniting as it re-charges its nuclear energies is eye-poppingly epic). One of the year's best films.

OUTSTANDING

[rhmacl · 10/10 · 30 November 2023]

This is an exciting film. The pace, story, imagination, production are all done expertly. Dialogue is in Japanese with English subtitles. I wish I could comment on writing but just be assured that despite my remedial Japanese (and a range of inconsequential translation departures the I detected), the cast's ability to convey agony, loss, hope, love, fear, and anger was appreciated, even with its 'just-right' dose of melodrama. Special effects are superior and well presented.

The film sucks you into a vortex of history, monsters, and surprisingly restores your faith in humanity. It makes you fall in love with the characters.

Then with perfect timing, reflects the singular and exquisite quality of the Japanese people; their acute sense of the cost of war and their abiding commitment to the future.

Because of that, there is nothing in this film that I can criticize.

Enjoyable Monster Film with a Human Touch

[SpaaceMonkee · 7/10 · 11 December 2023]

How many monster movies come with substantial critical claim attached? I was intrigued, even though I've never seen any of the classic Godzilla films. You won't regret seeing the film, but I didn't walk away feeling like I'd just watched the film of the year either.

Godzilla Minus One follows the story of a kamikaze pilot who aborts his mission and lands on a small supply island. Later, Godzilla emerges and wipes out nearly everyone. Haunted by his actions, both in failing to carry out his mission and failing to act in saving the others on the island, the pilot returns to Tokyo and attempts to rebuild his life. Before long though, Godzilla reemerges and he feels compelled to join the defense of Tokyo.

It's a good story, and there's an endearing human element to it all. The movie's not short of political commentary either, whether in subtext or unambiguous comments from the characters, ranging from views of honor and duty, criticism of the government, or even Japan's diminished autonomy in light of defeat in WWII. Notice that no government really does anything in the movie. The U. S. is sidelined because of concerns over raising tensions with the Soviets; the Japanese government is unable to act. Instead, it's the people themselves who have to act and save themselves.

Towards the end, the film veers harder and harder towards melodrama, which detracted from the nice balance of seriousness and humor that had been present throughout the first several acts. Maybe it's a terrific Godzilla film; I can't speak to that. (This reminds me of the 007 films. There are "good" Bond films that still aren't good movies.) I can say that this Godzilla is a good movie and worth your time.

This is one of the best iterations of Godzilla I have ever seen, and I have seen them all

[sheridan-turner · 9/10 · 30 November 2023]

I just saw the advanced screening of Godzilla minus one and I have to say I was very pleased with the final product. If I had any complaints about this movie it is just that the CGI Godzilla often looked weird similar to a video game. However when Godzilla looked good, it was very impressive especially in the water scenes.

Unlike every other Godzilla movie I have ever seen this is the first Godzilla movie where I actually liked on the characters and the storyline actually made sense and touched the human heart. It showed what people were dealing with at that time which was directly after world war II and how people were suffering not only with the after effects of the war but also the trauma from being exposed to a huge monster destroying cities.

Godzilla may be a fictional character but loss and tragedy are real, and people are dealing with it everyday.

Overall I really like this movie and it is obviously a prequel to the original Godzilla movie that came out over 70 years ago. Once you see this movie at some point you will understand why.

What I would really like to see since it is clear that there have been multiple Godzilla's at some point in time is some type of legitimate crossover between toho and the American studios who are producing Godzilla monster verse in America. Last thing I or any fans want to see is a competition on who could spit out different and unique Godzilla's in two different countries.

Since this is a Toho and Japanese produced movie, it would have been nice to have some of the theater edition Godzilla toys for sale like they do in Japan on every release.

Enjoyable With a Glimmer of Insight into Japanese Culture

[ArgonReviews · 7/10 · 24 December 2023]

This is an enjoyable film to watch, and if you're on the tail end of its theater run or considering if it's worth streaming, the short answer is it's worth seeing. I do feel like among certain fan circles the movie is slightly 'overhyped' but that doesn't make the movie bad, it is in fact quite good. I think the exploration of the main character's relationship with kamikaze piloting, and in turn both Japan's historical understanding of that phenomenon as well as the West's, is actually still more poignant and worth exploring than perhaps we might be inclined to give it credit for. It's hard to overstate how culturally significant the kamikaze pilots were during and in the immediate aftermath of World War 2; although we had Oppenheimer to remind us of the cultural impact of the bomb, for soldiers that lived during World War 2, it was the stories of the kamikaze pilots that left a huge impact, even for people not in the Pacific theater. Likewise, Japan has long struggled to articulate its historical relationship to kamikaze pilots, with the memorial there being a kind of hot-button issue for multiple decades now. This film perhaps doesn't offer a searing insight, but rather a kind of wishful alternate path to how Japan and the west feels about kamikaze pilots. I think what's particularly remarkable about this film, frankly, is the way it pushes against the grain--a lot of Japanese cinema, especially that designed for view by western audiences, tends toward a construction of victimhood due to the bomb. This film tries to grapple with the echoes of imperial desire both immediately after the war and, perhaps, now.

Honestly, come for the big cool depiction of Godzilla, but leave with a reflection of Japan's relationship to World War 2.

The best Godzilla film in years.

[bunderwood7878 · 8/10 · 3 November 2023]

Set at the end of World War 2 and Japan is defeated and in ruins. Our protagonist is Koichi, a pilot who returns to his devastated hometown in Tokyo. He is unwelcome and guilt ridden for sneaking out of a kamikaze raid in the pacific. Japan is at its lowest point and then Godzilla arrives.

This is a brilliant setup for this period story that sees a country without the military might, technology and morale to face this new enemy. The film also leans into the drama and emotion that made the first film so iconic and sets it apart from the family fun films of the 70s and 80s as well as the recent American blockbuster treatments. My Japanese is not good enough to understand all of the film so there will be lots that I didn't get. However it manages to be a strong, emotional story with a scary and ferocious Godzilla. In my mind it is far superior to Shin Godzilla which I found dull and goofy. This is the best Godzilla film in many years and perhaps the best since the 1954 original.

Don't even read reviews, go in blind, go watch it already!!

[dhk-51057 · 18 December 2023]

Alright. I knew nothing about this movie before I went into it. I'm a Godzilla fan but haven't really enjoyed the Western version of Godzilla movies beyond watching them as eye candy/cheap-thrill/forget-as-you-leave-cinema/switch-off-brain type movies.

Very rarely do we see GOOD movies that actually have a good plot and a storyline that sticks to quality script writing, screenplay and keeps you engaged for all the right reasons Vs Throwing a bunch of explosions, music and constant "something happening" to make up for lack of quality filmmaking.

Godzilla minus one... Is just a good movie. Japanese cinema slows things down and focuses on the quality of what's happening in the moment, in every moment. I was drawn to every part of the film and the story was about the humans with Godzilla in it, not about Godzilla.

I don't even know what to say. I don't want to say much. Don't go into it thinking "this is Godzilla a highly rated film".

Just go in, sit down and enjoy the ride.

I often watch low budget movies because the focus is on the story and not having a lot of pointless fillers to flesh out the movie.

This film does exactly that in a way that stays with you and leaves you thinking about the movie for days after you've watched it.

Highly recommended :)

War, PTSD, Drama, classic godzilla movie.

[nima-mirzaalikhan · 6/10 · 2 May 2024]

I wanted a Fantasy/Sci-Fi movie not a drama and i know this one is not a Fantasy/Sci-Fi genre but this is a godzille movie for Godzilla sake :))

If you love a classic bold in drama Godzilla movies, watch this movie, you'll think it's awesome.

Everyone else who's over 18 and don't want drama are going to feel like they've wasted their time on something which is no better than a made for TV movie.

The movie succeeds in introducing some very interesting characters as a Drama Movie.

At the lowest points in their lives, consumed by despair that is only added onto by the appearance of this almost otherworldly monster.

It's true, Minus One absolutely NAILS presentation and characters as a drama.

How can this be one of top rated movies?

I walked out of the theatre

[mrmbordbar · 1/10 · 1 January 2024]

The sheer number of positive reviews and hype I've seen around this movie makes me think I'm living in an alternate reality. Did I watch the same movie as everyone else?

This movie was unwatchable. I don't want to be too unfair because there were a few nice things about it. The characters were likeable. That's about it.

The CGI was god awful. Like a low budget movie from 2003. Godzilla's introduction was rushed and underwhelming. The dialogue was cheesy and lazy. There were many unrealistic elements (even within the fictional universe) - e.g. The guy finding the girl in the exact right spot in the middle of absolute chaos and an attack in a city.

Everything just felt half-assed and amateur. There was no real suspense. No ominous feeling. No fear. When we see Godzilla full blown standing, he looks flimsy and cartoon ish. There was no 'grand' scale.

No mystery.

Some characters said the silliest lines just to drive the plot forward but in the most lazy way possible.

"Am I real? Maybe I died! Maybe you aren't real either! AAAAGHHH!!" "No. You are real. Can you not feel it?" - "How could it be? You're a kamikaze pilot! You are a disgrace! My family died because you didn't!" -

I'm cringing even thinking about these lines. I would have really enjoyed the narrative of the disgraced failed kamikaze pilot if it weren't for the terrible writing and dialogue.

I am genuinely shocked that so many people thought this was a masterpiece. I had high hopes for this and really wanted to like it.

I'm deeply disappointed. I had to walk out of the theatre 1 hour in.

One of the Best Godzilla movies in recent times

[tyzilla-02450 · 9/10 · 30 November 2023]

Godzilla Minus One is one of the best Godzilla films in recent time. It gave me everything i wanted for the first time ever I was actually invested in the human characters and their story normally you are just waiting for Godzilla to show up but not here Godzilla shows up alot and when he does he is BRUTAL. This Godzilla makes things personal by actively attacking the humans. The movie had great pacing where it doesn't feel like it's going on for too long and it was nice to have a darker story set after WW2. It really goes back to the franchise's roots. There's so much to say but it would give a lot away JUST SEE THE MOVIE ON THE BIGGEST SCREEN POSSIBLE 9/10.

The King Has Come Home To Japan🇯🇵

[zachlopez-86014 · 10/10 · 30 November 2023]

"This Movie, Painted In Despair, Will Strike You With Fear" - Director Takashi Yamasaki

OH MY GODZILLA!!!!

I'm utterly speechless, this movie was amazing in every possible way imaginable for an audience wanting to be entertained. The Human characters were very well written, the acting was outstanding, the emotions were strong with loss, pride and hope. The main cast were perfect together as a group, even the minor characters were amazing. The music, Oh My God the Music was conducted to fit every scene it was in and the OG theme was incredible to hear in a Dolby theater for the first time. Akira Ifukube would be proud, May he Rest In Peace. Lastly it was very educating in a way to see what Japan was like immediately after the War following the Atomic Bombs. The hardships they went through just to rebuild was very emotional to watch, but the way they climbed out of that pit of hopelessness would inspire any viewer to the franchise both Long Time along with Newer Fans

Now to the matter at Hand, the Star Himself, GODZILLA.

The King of the Monsters is more terrifying in this movie than any other in the 69 year history of the Longest running franchise in the World! Every time he appears on screen he strikes fear into your very soul and leaves you in Awe at the same time. His destruction was unrelenting, the action out of this world, his Power Godly, his portrayal Very Real. At times you almost feel sorry for him because what's happened to him wasn't his fault. I haven't seen a monster movie this well done since Peter Jackson's King Kong (2005) and Cloverfield (2008).

My solid review of this movie is a 10/10, and I recommend save notifications of any kind for when this movie hits the Home Media market because I sure will.

Honestly I don't think I've ever watched a movie this perfect before

Last note, The Whole Theater shook everytime Godzilla took a Step and my very bones were vibrating from his Roar #godzilla #godzilla1954 #godzillaminusone #monster #japan.

Felt that now Godzilla movies are coming to the stage of evolution

[diversitytetsu · 9/10 · 9 November 2023]

I could see the obvious progress of quality from "Shin-Godzilla" and other Legendary's Godzilla series. It's no doubt thanks to all new creators' mindset to try to outperform the previous works, based on and standing at the established brand "Godzilla". All the successors can benchmark the prior ones and analyze their successful points and failures. Yamazaki learned a lot from Anno's work and made some improvements and corrections particularly on the point that it couldn't catch on overseas. One of them is the music. He succeeded in taking on Naoki Sato, who is the graduate of Tokyo university of the arts, paying respect to the alumni and predecessor Ifukube and understanding his music deeply. In this film, vision and music are fantastically synchronized. And of course, the main character is Godzilla, but Yamazaki has done well in letting him act simply as a fearful object. Therefore, we can empathize fully with characters competing with Godzilla. Yamazaki who has suffered a streak of bummers in making films looks to be recovering his confidence, and is expected to deliver another sequel of Godzilla film, in which we can see a "real" duel with monsters like Ghidra or Mothra.

Very good surprise

[koroxx · 9/10 · 3 November 2023]

Finally a Godzilla movie with interesting and developed characters, for this point it's certainly the best of the franchise.

(Spoiler part) I also thought the death of one particular character was really surprising... Well, until she suddenly turns out to be alive at the end, in order to allow a happy ending. Kind of ruined the meaning of the death for the main character and emotion part (as the title "Minus One" can have a meaning for Japan overall AND specificaly the main hero).

The idea to set the story in the 40's Japan is also interesting, as a foreigner i really discovered this post-war period of the country that i didn't really know about (i only saw Kurosawa's "Subarashiki nichiyobi" prior to this movie).

The actions sequences are also very cool. You definitively won't be disapointed with them. I loved the treatment of the King of the Monsters, who have an interesting design and new ability (both are kind of linked).

I saw it in a casual cinema, but i guess the IMAX version is worth it, so go for it if you got the chance.

Perhaps the best film of 2023

[joefishel · 5 December 2023]

Yes, a Godzilla movie really is a candidate for the best film of the year. Godzilla Minus One is the best Godzilla movie of all time and even surpasses the original. This is more than a Godzilla movie, it is an examination of the human condition and humanity's effect on the natural world and the natural world's response as was the case with the original 1954 classic. In many Godzilla movies, the creature is cartoonish at best. Not this Godzilla. The monster is the best and most fearsome Godzilla of all-time. Although it does cover the post-war period in Japanese history as the original did, Godzilla Minus One takes a different approach to the story. This film should be nominated, if not win, the Oscar for Best Picture. If it is not nominated at least, the Academy should be rightfully criticized and criticized harshly for their choice.

Godzilla Goes Forth...

[Xstal · 6/10 · 18 December 2023]

Now here's a film you might call it a thriller, as a beast from the sea rises up it's a killer, an evolution of sorts, this mutation cavorts, a demonic immortal by the name of Godzilla. It's created by those who have pushed a big button, results in an explosion of several megaton, radiation awakens, the seabed's a shaken, there's nothing and no one that it can't outrun. So a team is assembled to conjure a plan, to send the fiend back to where it's beam can't fan, and a not so brave flier, will use all his ire, in a battle that pitches a god against man.

I think you need to be a bit of a fan to get maximum return.

It's okay but I would not call it a masterpiece.

[Luce1417 · 6/10 · 20 January 2024]

Went to watch this movie with huge expectations, I've heard and read amazing reviews so I was expecting a lot.

It's an okay movie, I do find the review a bit bias and calling Hollywood movies bad based on this one is an exaggeration.

The plot is so overdone, in Japan and in the US. We have seen this story many many times. It was very predictable and very slow. I found myself a bit bored and wanting for it to end.

There were multiple things I like, the characters are likable, there is a good post war feeling between people caring for each other. The characters were one of the things I liked. I like that they didn't need to call anyone to defeat Godzilla, that was nice.

My main issue was the editing and plot. I feel if it was cut properly it could have been and hour and half movie instead of a two hours dreadful movie. Also the logistics of the movie annoyed me, the war boats moving so fast, them connecting all the boats to the warship boats in seconds, the coincidence of the main character being in the train when Godzilla attacks, the main character casually finding the girl in the middle of a huge chaos? This is very 90s, if a movie has such a rating and such praise it needs to be better. The acting was also extremely dramatic. I constantly watch Japanese shows and movies and it's overdone but this was was insane.

Another issue for me was the CG, not the best Godzilla model I've seen, compared to the one in Kong vs Godzilla.

Overall I'm annoyed by the overhype, a movie rated this high should be better, it's rated there with parasite, fight club and game of thrones. Those are masterpieces, and I would say this is just not it.

AMAZING!!!

[mahmatcar · 10/10 · 30 November 2023]

Godzilla is back and is better than ever! This film is one of the best to date and is a personal favorite of mine. If you are a fan or new to Godzilla, I recommend this movie 100% and the visuals and CGI looked amazing. The CGI in this film is the best for any TOHO Godzilla film and even looks as good as the Hollywood Godzilla films for only a fraction of the budget! Overall, this is a perfect Godzilla movie to me and really takes him back to his roots to being a frightening force of nature/result of atomic weapons and is really a step up for the franchise in a long time. Long live the king!!!

A highly flawed, yet highly entertaining, re-imaging of the classic Godzilla legend that should should please many, if not most, fans of the film franchise!

[jdlewisinc · 7/10 · 24 December 2023]

I recently saw Godzilla Minus One and I really enjoyed it, warts & all. The first two-thirds move at a rapid clip. The final third is needlessly padded & bloated. Right after the leading character's love interest is lost, the film's third act falls into a bottomless pit of exposition & emotion and doesn't climb out until the all-too-brief final battle.

This movie is a period piece reboot that takes place between the years 1945-1947 and the leading character is a coward who is on a hero's journey to atone for his cowardice. When the lead loses his love interest, he spends the majority of the third act wallowing in a pool of angst & indecision, which slows the third act considerably. Also, the prolonged "town hall meeting" scene is an endless exposition dump that transitions the film from a rapid clip to a snail's pace. Also, at two hours & five minutes, the film is far too long. A half-hour could have been cut out, without hurting the film at all. If anything, editing the film would have strengthened it.

Yet, even with all these drawbacks, I still really enjoyed this film. The main characters & their motivations are very well defined. Also, even at it's worst, this is infinitely superior to the several insipid American reboot films that were released from 1998 to 2022. All in all, I really liked this film very much, even with warts & all. Please feel free to give it a try. Hope you enjoy it!

Actually what the heck?

[test-96175 · 1/10 · 3 May 2024]

Im not sure what happened, but the movie looks like a low budget film and storyline is not interesting at all. Perhaps im to much into high end production and movies where cgi needs to hit every mark.

In the Cinema i had to walk out, i couldnt finish it.

Bad acting, bad cgi, story was blant (how can i get invested emotionally when it just looks like b grade acting?)

I really wanted to enjoy this movie so i gave it another try - this time on blueray. It still gave me the exact same let down. However, i did finish the whole movie.

The good parts in this movie is that we actually get some character building (backstories), but they come from nowhere and makes little scense. The appearence of godzilla just the same.

Im sorry, this movie is not it. Even if i want it to be.

Never thought a Godzilla movie would make me cry

[sbarr10-1 · 10/10 · 2 December 2023]

The story is set amidst the physical and emotional wreckage of Japan at the end of WW2 and just after. This realism is blended very well with a fictitious monster. For Japan, the war was not over.

The unforgettable production utilizes some of the original Godzilla music. It is in Japanese with English subtitles.

The story is pro-human. Seeing how people cared for each other in the midst of disaster is what moved me to tears. No snarky or edgy dialog or lame jokes that ruin so many Hollywood scripts in my opinion. Come to think of it, I can't remember a single humorous moment in the movie, though there were moments of joy and comraderie.

It is a story about grass roots self-reliance and cooperation. Although some military men assist them, the Japanese realize that their government won't save them. Scientists and former military men come together, borrow some military equipment form a plan to defeat Godzilla.

It is also a story about cowardice, the crippling shame that comes with it, and how cowardice can actually buy time for one to build one's courage. Remember what they say about backing away from a fight and staying alive so you can live to fight another day.

I am not going to spoil it for you. Go see it.