Godzilla Minus Zero – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Godzilla Minus Zero – Of Family and Destruction: A Monster Sequel

The aspect of an escape becomes a manner of seeing the layers of what is, to what can be.  We come to find enjoyment in many things, but to fall deeper becomes a manner of grip and experience.  For film, it is a pull of the imaginary, no matter how realistic or fantastical it can be.  If that hook grabs a hold, it is a journey that will bring you along a path where emotions ride high … and satisfaction will be true.  In this review, I look at the latest action/sequel to hit the big screen.  Built as a continuation, we head further into adventures of personal worth and survival.  Even when things feel a little too convenient, Godzilla Minus Zero is a journey of endearment … with some monster fun.

When two catastrophic monsters decide to reign terror in Japan, a family must confront their past while trying to find a way to survive … again.  Film is a layer of moments, progressing ideas of the situations, no matter the genre.  From action to romance, everything is pushed by the situation … creating a place where choice and consequence can be much more than typical plot elements.  For this sequel, it takes a shot at balancing between its action and characters, creating a place that feels more like a next chapter … which isn’t a bad thing.  The story takes place two years after the previous film, where the Shikishima family is trying to live a simple life after surviving the attacks from Godzilla.  After scenes of grounded conversations, we are introduced to a slew of characters (you can view the list at the film’s IMDb page – link) that are part of the Disaster Response Bureau, who have discovered a new threat to Japan they call Ghidorah.  With this new threat on the horizon, and some convenient plot details, the Shikishima family is brought back to help in the fight.  This leads the audience on a linear journey of characterization that is complimented by subtle hints of monster destruction.  When you look at this latest chapter, it does a good job of continuing the moments of emotional reverie.  From the trepidation of familial situations to the fragility of personal worth and sacrifice, you see every character struggle to find reason to continue the fight.  Coming off a world war where a country is trying to rebuild, dealing with ungodly creatures creates a place where raw emotional fervor brings about realism to the fantastical.  Choices lead to harden consequences, creating a place where the inevitable and harsh truths drive the journey.

As things continue to weave through a path of unearthly destruction, characterization and convenient plot moments, it creates a red herring where the group doesn’t realize … Godzilla has returned.  His arrival brings about an ironic truth, the only way to beat Ghidorah is with Godzilla.  This leads to a series of heavy expositional scenes that lay the framework for their fight.  As things fall into place, we head into a third act of true monster action.  As things weave between convenience and circumstantial plot movement, everything is brought together in a full circle climax and a poignant epilogue.  Godzilla Minus Zero is an endearing tale that is a worthy sequel.  If you are a fan of kaiju tales, action or the previous film, there will be a lot to enjoy here.  For everyone else, there is enough here for a good time.

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)