Take the stress out of keeping up with the issues affecting our lives by checking out ground.news/cinematherapy and get 40% off the unlimited access to the Vantage plan.
This is a off topic and more related to the sponsor, but the "4B movement," is not actually a very large thing in Korea. It is considered a very fringe extremist movement, and in fact, most people in the general public don't know about it. A lot of Western news outlets are blowing it extremely out of proportion and acting like it is a huge wave in the country. There is definitely a problem with sexism in the country, but the main reason people aren't getting married and having kids isn't because of 4B or toxic men. It is the same reason why the rest of the world isn't. No one has money or house and are not financially secure enough to do so. In fact, in a recent poll given to Korean men and women about the marriage and birthrate crisis, 60+% of women cited finances as the number 1 reason and career was the second reason. Toxic men was near the bottom with ~10% of the vote with women.
@@TheMask-q7l Stop saying feminists since there are so many typs of feminism. Besides a lot of things the Barbie movie criticis are a result of patriarchy even internalized patriarchy in women is a result of patriarchy not of feminism.
Since I've commented on a couple of past videos regarding sponsor choices, thought I should hop in after a few videos to say: I'm glad that I haven't seen Better Help as a sponsor lately. I know contracts can last a while, and these things are always shot WAY ahead of time and something like sponsorship per video is really hard to change after the fact. Maybe I'm speaking too soon and next video they'll re-emerge, but we all have to deal with too much pointing out things wrong, not nearly enough what's right.
As a HUGE lifelong G-Fan, I would love to do an episode on the original film with you guys! I would be able to give LOTS of background insight on the film and I’m also just really curious to hear what you would have to say about it. Please let me know if you’re interested in doing an episode with me.
My grandfather survived WW2 and when my father saw this movie all he said was "it is like watching dad when I was young, he was with us but his presence is far away"
@@manriquez1991 and now we understand that being "manly" was their only way to cope / exist. The amount of pain they held on to ( and unfortunately passed on to their families... )
It’s more impactful how it is said in Japanese. If you translate it directly she said “father, is your war over yet? (as in he has accepted his role as father to Akiko and husband to her. In Japanese families, you refer to each other from the lowest position in the family).
I really like how even Godzilla is a victim of trauma. He was burned alive and mutated into a horrific unnatural monster. Even in the opening scene, he only attacked when provoked. He’s lashing out at the people he deems hurt him. There’s a great fan speech about Godzilla: “I was the last of my kind, and you turned me into the first. That is why I punish you. Because I never thought I could be more alone”
Especially with how Godzilla hurts himself with his atomic breath in this version and needs to regenerate, it's a very nice way to add depth to a big monster. He's lashing out at those who hurt him and simultaneously hurts himself.
Something that struck me is how Tachibana gets his own kind of release at the end. He was an airplane mechanic that for the latter part of the war worked on kamikaze planes; in other words, sending men off explicitly to die. In the end, he helps someone accomplish their mission and live as well. When he tells Shikishima "Live" I feel like he's also thinking "Please don't let me send another person to their death."
It's not just caring about them, but for me it was also the first one since Final Wars (which was the final japanese Godzilla movie until Shin Gozilla and Minus One) that didn't make the human plot really boring. ...and tbf, Final Wars is a silly, cheesy battle shonen anime/Matrix clone with Godzilla beating asses left and right, but I love that movie. It's so fun.
Godzilla is one big-ass metaphor for survivor's guilt/PTSD in Minus One. Which is especially bad when you're a Kamikaze pilot who clearly didn't do his job.
@@siraaron4462 destruction for destruction sake has its place though, when I'm having a bad day I would rather watch a silly showa era Godzilla instead of the first 1954 one, although that one is clearly better written.
He wouldnt have to do his job if the government just installed ejector seats. Instructing soldiers to die senselessly and calling it honorable is horrid.
@@Phantomsbreathi bet in reality the japanese didnt find out what hit them for some time after. Imagine just being hit by such destruction and not knowing what caused it. It had to seem like some horrendous supernatural event causing wild speculation as to the cause.
As a man that's had suicidal ideation and felt like I didn't deserve to live and be on this earth, I cried in the middle of this movie whilst watching it in the cinema. It reminded me of the quote "sometimes even to live is an act of courage." I've found that choosing to live can be a hard choice at times, but I'm glad I've chosen to live and not act on my dark thoughts
I think Sumiko doesn't get enough credit in the movie. She lost everything too, her home, her neighbors, her husband (in the war probably), and especially her kids. She placed blame on Koichi immediately, gave up "caring" in her despair. But she quickly turned around as soon as she saw a chance to help their little found family. She has too much kindness in her to let the bad things that happened keep her down.
She is Japan, she is the nation itself, I thought that when she said to Koichi “my children died” blaming the loser soldier, but the she forgives and protects
I knew it! If you close your eyes, the voice inflection is EXACTLY like that of an anime. I believe that this choice in direction was key to making this movie more digestible to non-Japanese audiences.
The other reason Shikishima did not kill himself is his parents told him to come back to them, to come back alive. That's why coming home to find them dead had a greater impact. He acted "dishonorably", in his opinion, and does not even get to come home to his parents.
Everyone who has watched or knows about Grave of the Fireflies will understand this: I love Noriko above all characters in this movie because she "got involved". She saved Akiko without being a mother, she stuck by Koichi despite all his inner demons and loved him without being his wife or his lover, and only was about leaving him when she sensed she could be a liability. We praise the heroes who pilot warplanes and fight, but it's human being like Noriko the ones who make the world worth fighting for. (Yes I actually cheered and cried in the last scene)
I love their romance. Like it's so good. It's exactly what every romance should be. They clearly fell in love each other, it's was just a question of if it was going to be the intimate "relationship" love or if it's sibling or if it's best friends. I love it, and I love that its in this movie and. Ugh. It's so perfect.
@@seaborgium919 RIGHT? It was based of mutual respect and companionship first and foremost and THEN, romantic love appeared. I'd say their marriage would last a lifetime.
Indeed. Although one of the problems I have with the atomic blast city in the city scene is that she shoul dhave died. All that debris, which are multiple varying sizes of concrete and whatnot, being flung towards her. Ain't no way anyone can justify her surviving that.
@@nalublackwater9729 so much better than any romance subplot in any other movie I've seen, because that's how actual love is in real life. I wish other movies did romance like that. companionship and respect are the building blocks, not the after effects.
@@pheunithpsychic-watertype9881 End up like Assassins Creed Shadows? How? By including a historically existing black person in a country he actually was in? I'm very confused by this claim you're making.
@@CaptainPikeachu He's not talking about who is being used, simply how they use them. Disney, and other American companies reduce everyone to archetypes instead of fleshed out characters.
As a non-deployed Marines Veteran that has ptsd, survivors guilt, and imposter syndrome. I relate to this character. Not going to lie, i cried in the theater with some of the PTSD triggers. This is the best movie of 2023. And probably of the decade.
As an Army Vet who did deploy, you have nothing to be ashamed about. You put on that uniform knowing there was always a chance of getting in harms way. That takes guts.
The hero’s journey archetype is displayed here along with these other emotions… you are not alone, there is an awesomeness about your life. Top 5 movie of all time for me.
My wife and I discussed this movie for a couple hours after seeing it and one of the things we came away from it with was how it depicted honor and duty. At the beginning, he has a duty to die and is dishonored because he chickened out. But as the movie goes on it shifts and becomes a duty to LIVE. And to find the honor in moving forward every day despite your demons. This movie was awesome. And props to the sound design too. The super loud parts were saved for the most important. And it got ghostly quiet in my theater at some points. It was magical.
I love how this movie, from right out of the gate scoffs at the idea of "dying honorably" the only honorable "death" in the movie was when someone who promised to live no matter what spent what maight have been her last moments protecting someone else. No death that fails to honor the sanctity and value of life is honorable.
@@siraaron4462I know a lot of people (including myself) when I first saw this movie felt it was dumb how Noriko just pushes Shikishima into the alleyway and essentially nearly gets herself killed when she could’ve easily just fit in the same alley with him… but honestly looking back at it… it just makes the movie even better and more tragic. The way she was willing to give herself up despite feeling the need to live to essentially someone who believed had no reason to live just makes the final third act so powerful. This personal stake and driving force of vengeance, but to fight for honor and not just vengence.
Another aspect of duty was the fact that the ex-navy personnel volunteered to go out and fight the monster. And they did this despite the fact that far too much had already been asked of them already. For that kind of person, they volunteer because they cannot even imagine letting somebody else take their place. They did this because he was the future - and they were the past.
@@colincampbell767 The scene where they're asked to volunteer was so incredibly well done, because it's done in a unique way that actually makes them all feel like individuals making decisions. When they're asked, a few slowly start to speak up that they can't do it, they have families now and such. And so they leave, and no one thinks lesser of them for it. But what got me is it's not just one or two, but _also_ isn't most of the room. Normally in movies these situations end with either every single person deciding to stay like a hivemind, maybe like two people leaving, or everyone but the main characters leaving. This film went with none of those options. A decent chunk left, though still less than half, and it really felt... natural and human. Yukikaze's captain insisting that these are not orders, that everyone is free to decide for themselves is also such a core theme of the film.
@@retro_gamer8587 I gonna have to check again, but I remember reading that in an interview someone asked the director about how they achieved the visual effects with only 15 million dollar budget, and he answered "I wished we had that much" Edit: because UA-cam always deletes my comments if I have links in it, go search "Godzilla Minus One Director Denies $15 Million Budget Claim", apparently he said that during Tokyo Comic Con
“There may be people who don’t want you around. There may be people who treat you like garbage. There may be people who blame you for a lot of things. And maybe there’s some truth to what they blame you for. Maybe there are areas where you stumbled, where you fell. But how they treat you, that’s a them thing. And how they value you, that’s a them thing.” I really needed to hear this. As someone who got thrown to the side by someone who I thought I was close to, it messes with me a lot. Hearing this just helps. Thanks Cinema Therapy!
At what point does some become whole? At what point is a them thing just the reality of the situation. Gotta love psych one min they coding and strapped and the next it’s all forgotten.
We can’t exactly learn if mistakes don’t exist and we can’t be fiercely determined to be a better person if we don’t have at least one “enemy”. And we can’t learn what kind of chocolate is the best kind if only dark chocolate exists… unfortunately.
@@benwasserman8223 Nah, the original one (not the american adaptation) does that pretty well. And personally I find the characters in SHin Godzilla pretty interesting as well.
I saw this movie in the theater with my brother and dad. All three of us, grown men, cried our eyes out. Such a wonderful surprise, to see a movie so life-affirming.
I loved that, when they found out that Koichi and Noriko weren't married and not related to Akiko, their reaction wasn't "Oh, god. Scandal!", but that it was good that he was able to build a family amongst the ruins and tragedy of the war. He is rebuilding as much as someone repairing the city.
Them not being married _and_ not being related to Akiko is such a beautiful representation of everyone coming together to support each other and rebuild.
When the destroyers charge forward to enact their plan, and the classic Gojira theme starts playing. I had the biggest smile on my face, it felt like the whole theater was there as part of the team.
Historically in the Godzilla franchise that decision actually carries a lot of weight. In the original 1954 film the theme was for the Japanese air force that arrived to drive Godzilla away. People just associated the theme more with the monster so it became a core part of Godzilla's theme over the years. In Gojira the defense forces were powerless to stop Godzilla but now in Minus One they take that theme back from representing the monster and use it to once again cheer on the defenders of Japan.
Something I've always loved about Godzilla is that he can be used to tell any story you want him to. Be it the dangers of nuclear warfare, a titan protecting nature and keeping its balance, an allegory for the triple disaster in Japan, and in this case, how a kamikaze pilot learned to forgive himself and find purpose in his life. This Godzilla movie felt more human than all the other Godzilla movies combined and I adore it
I actually didn’t watch any Godzilla movies before this. I watched this because I loved two of the Japanese actors, Ryunosuke and Yuki. And this is an amazing movie and I’m so happy that the two are involved in this beautiful movie
I've never watched any stompy-stompy monster movie because it's not my cup of tea. And that was exactly why a friend recommended this iteration to me. Was not disappointed.
I think there is also a huge relief for Tachinbana who spent the war fixing planes for Kamikaze pilots knowing he was aiding in the process that would send them to therir deaths to be able to finally help a pilot survive and come home.
I agree, the attack on the city, especially the black rain moment, will be one of those movie scenes I'll never forget. Easily one of the best depictions of the devastation war brings.
The fact this movie wasn’t nominated for Best International Film (only Best Visual Effects) is criminal! This film had everything: great set pieces, a storyline where you actually care about the characters, and (yes, admittedly) stellar visual effects. I could on and on about this film, but it was hands down one of the best Godzilla movies ever produced. I cannot wait for the sequel!
I only disagree about waiting for a sequel. The stories of the characters is closed. Godzilla isn't dead because Toho don't like him dieing, but I don't think you can add something after that would enrich the story more.
@@thomasfplmWell the movie did tease at Noriko becoming Biollonte because of her infection with G-Cells and if you pay attention to the framing of the scene, you’ll notice how a plant horn is symbolically appearing out her head
@@cloudshines812, I'm kinda hoping this is an open ending and not a continuation, because I think it would be hard to continue the story widout damaging it.
One thing about Tachibana (sorry if I spell any names wrong) is that he has an entire character arch of being a mechanic that makes sure suicide bombers can do their job, to building an aircraft that let's the kamikaze pilots do their job without dying. He doesn't say "live" for no reason. This man spent a period of time making sure aircraft were fit to fly a pilot to his unenviable death. He lived every time (probably a reason he was so willing to lay his life on the line in the first place) knowing he sent yet another pilot to their death. This time, he has a chance to change that. To accomplish the same mission with a different outcome. No aircraft mechanic wants to see their pilots perish. Tachibana is the same. But he was forced to. And when given the chance......... he makes sure his pilot has the chance to come home and live.
One thing I missed the first time around but noticed the second time was how when he fails to shoot Godzilla on the island, Godzilla is smaller, and because he didn't take care of him then and there Godzilla grows and becomes a much bigger problem to deal with. Problems are like that sometimes, if we ignore them when they are small, they will just grow to be a big problem that will be much harder to deal with.
In that scene, all of the sudden i remember that Tachibana always wanted him to live. That in the first act, Tachibana tells him explicitly that he shouldn't die for a cause, lost or not. And what's wild is, we go on that journey with Koichi and we completely forget that aspect until that scene reminds us
Saburo Sakai was a WWII Japanese fighter pilot and ace. He was the highest scoring Japanese ace to survive the war. In his autobiography, he recalled his feelings when he heard about High Command's decision to commence the kamikaze attacks. The first thing out of his mouth was basically, "That's stupid. What's that going to accomplish other than get men killed for nothing?" By that time, it was already very clear that Japan had no hope to win any war against the US and its material might. Despite the propaganda that the kamikaze corps was all volunteer, there were those who refused the "honor" because of the uselessness of the tactic. Those who refused were shamed and socially ostracized to accept.
I currently live in Japan and saw this movie in theaters. While I am studying Japanese, I went a good portion of this without always understanding what was being said. No English subtitles, just me and Japanese. So my praise for this movie is that I was able to understand, and to feel, through the directing alone through the whole movie. I cried, I cheered, I cried some more, and I fell in love. So for all the phenomenal writing, the action, the history of it, the directing and acting brought it home in a way that even I could understand, emphasize, and feel deeply with
Can you imagine this being your first Godzilla movie and you're so blown away, and then you start going through the back catalog? What a rollercoaster.
@@thebookwyrm235the first Godzilla is probably tied with this fro my personal favorites as far as storytelling goes. OG Godzilla is a metaphor for nuclear testing and asks the question of what it means to be a conscientious contributor-while also following a character driven narrative. Of course, some of the rest are goofy and just meant to be kaiju fighting kaiju, but the movies that stand out are gems.
Holy moley , as someone who’s watched the show since the pandemic days I wasn’t expecting an episode on a godzilla movie. Makes perfect sense though, exploration of the characters’psychology is a big part of this film.
I love how they showed Godzilla as a force of nature from the civilian perspective. It really sells the main character's fear during their city confrontation.
What hit me the most was when koichi was opening up to Noriko about what happened in Odo island. I never seen a scene accurately depict a man who has so much shame, so much guilt, so much weight that he to carry, to the point where when he finally tells Noriko, it feels like a weight that has been lifted for not only the character but for the audience. I’m so used to American movies where a character tells someone what happened and they don’t believe them because of how ridiculous it is. But for Noriko, she instead listens. That’s what makes the relationship between Noriko and Koichi so beautiful, she is willing to listen and help koichi no matter what. When she says that koichi was meant to live, the look koichi gave her was heartbreaking. It was like he wanted to believe her but deep down his guilt can’t let himself be happy. And that’s when I knew this was the best movie of 2023. The acting was superb.
I went in expecting “blow this sh** up, kill everyone” with low budget special effects and I was in for a surprise! I cried my heart out watching it! 😅
The movie was written during the pandemic, which shows through in two ways: 1) Godzilla is a disaster that, like it or not, affects everyone equally. It is a collective problem that the people in Japan need to handle themselves, because 2) The Japanese government was very slow to respond to the crisis, preferring instead to keep the peace rather than tackle the situation head-on. The regular citizens realized it was up to them to come up with a solution and pull themselves out of their mess. This was in an interview with the filmmakers from The Verge, if anyone is interested.
Like the other guy said, isn't this more in line with Shin Godzilla? That movie was made in response to the Government's oopsie response to the Fukushima Disaster.
There are so many moments in the third act that are just pure cathartic release for so many characters and I think the biggest one is when they're detailing the plan and they make a statement to run this operation without planned casualties and everyone intending to make it back home. Their country wanted them to die and they chose to reclaim their right to live. And it's so satisfying to see them succeed without losing anyone.
Absolutely! All the main characters (and destroyer crews) living was absolutely crucial to the story's core theme about _living._ A lesser film would have taken so many opportunities to have random extras die for "drama", like someone getting crushed when Yukikaze's crane collapses, or have Hibiki get sunk, etc. But it turns out that especially when it's a well written story with good themes, audiences do in fact prefer a happy ending.
anybody who doesn't register that a bunch of movies made in japan about a gigantic nuclear monster that levels cities and slaughters innocent civilians are an allegory for hiroshima and nagasaki needs to repeat 8th grade history class.
I liked how the people were sent home to see their families before the final battle, but not to say goodbye, but so they could be reminded of what they had to live for.
We see something similar as Koichi is flying out too. There's a shot of him looking down at the countryside below shortly before he engages Godzilla, and it _seems_ like him taking one last look at his homeland before going to his death... but as we learn later he had already decided to live. He was reminding himself of what he's protecting.
I watched this film only about a week ago for the first time, this upload came at the perfect time for me! One of the things that hit me so hard was the fact that they tell you that kamikaze planes didn't have parachute seats installed, because the pilots were expected to do the noble thing and die for their country. Their lives were expendable and devalued and they were EXPECTED to give up literally everything with no way out if they did get cold feet. This is then contrasted with the fact that the team that took down Godzilla were all volunteers who were given an out - they were told "if you don't want to to this, you can leave. We can't guarantee you'll live and we don't want to put that on you." And then at the end? Not a single person died in that battle, including Koichi. You feel the weight of Koichi's death right before the parachute reveal, and you feel how tragic it is to lose even one person - but then they reveal that he made it. Even Noriko makes it in the end. Just this once, everyone lives.
There's one thing I can say about this movie. This movie is a genuine masterpiece that transcends time and allows you to ``watch the movie and cry, and cry while listening to everyone's heated discussions.''
This is actually an episode I've been waiting for for the longest time. Metaphors are how I kind of navigate my emotions and experiences, and my therapist is a huge nerd, so I've often taken to speaking with him about Minus One, making comparison between the movie and how one experiences guilt, grief, and shame. I've spoken at length with my therapist about various symbology within the movie as well, like how Godzilla can be considered a physical manifestation of the main character's shame. So happy to finally see you guys cover this.
I loved how consious the movie was about it's message in the end. I never had any doubt that Shikishima would eject, but the movie primes the viewer to think that he's being tricked by the mechanic...that the 'arm the bomb' lever would somehow actually eject him at the last minute; which would lead to his survival, but wouldn't complete his character arc at all. The twist isn't that he survives, it's that he consiously chooses to, and that is so much more important given the broader themes of the movie.
I loved that the characters and relationships in this movie felt so real. So many movies rely on the rough and tough, perfect action heroes. The vulnerability of the main characters in this movie made them human and relatable.
This movie moved me deeply! I currently struggle from imposter's syndrome, depression and trying to get out from an abusive home. I also have autism, which makes dealing with the anxiety, pressure and my feelings much more difficult. I am a massive Gojira fan, so this movie hit me in such a different way. It doesn't ignore the pain that one feels when one's stuck in a horrible situation. It also doesn't justify the self-destructive ideas that can come when facing trauma and taking too much responsibility from things out of our control. I really cried with both the themes of found family and finding the strength and will to live, even when everything seems to be falling down. I want to thank you for covering this movie. I adored it, am thankful for being able to revisit it with you both, and can't wait for knowing the depth and meaning you will find with it as well.
To me this movie is about forgiveness; forgiveness to others and forgiveness to yourself. While I agree with your view on the theme of the movie being no matter your past, today you can stand up and be different, I would say or rather supplement the theme is you should forgive rather than hold onto hatred and anger. Both themes support each other, so I think both are valid and also strong. Themes should be something that could be argued; where both sides can be believed. I love this movie because not only did Shikishima make that journey from anti-theme to theme which any protagonist in any story should do, but so many of the side characters in this story made that thematic journey too.
"Stop checking boxes and start telling stories" as Cap america meme said "i got that reference!" now really, well said as a latin america/african desendent just stop checking boxes and start doing good quality stuff!
So I’m surprised that Allen didn’t talk about the cinematography during the scene where Koiichi tells his backstory. How the camera starts behind him and slowly circles around as he opens up.
I watched this movie and less than two weeks later a bunch of trauma happened to me, to the point that I almost ended my life. I got on antidepressants and have a therapist who I talk to about this movie a lot. We’re doing parts work and one of my “parts”, my trauma, is Minus Goji. I’m learning to soothe this enraged part instead of cowering in fear of it. So in my own way I’m facing a Godzilla, but I am working on loving the rage out of him because he is a part of me. So by loving that hurt part, I am learning to love myself too. There is a version of Godzilla for every decade of my life (I’m 44) and I’m typing this on Godzilla’s 70th birthday.
For me it was: 'I came home - but the war came with me.' And when she asked if his war was over yet - I asked myself that question. And to my surprise - the answer was: 'yes.' I thought that it would always stay with me - but sometime in the past several years it left and I never realized it until that question was asked at the end of the movie.
One of the things I really liked in this movie is how so many characters were dealing with trauma in their own ways, and their horror when they see someone else trying but falling to their own trauma, like the mechanic that gave Koichi those photos. He was hurting and lashing out, but over time came dealt with the trauma of surviving the war and Godzilla's attack just before the end of the war. His horror when he realizes what he's done to Koichi was powerful.
That scene where Tachibana asked him to live was so powerful. I agree with the two of you, that movie was so awesomly well written and maybe exactly what some people with PTSD need to hear and see. I know I did.
My husband and I are huge Godzilla fans, my husband especially, and Minus One is top tier in my list. The human story and relatability of the characters was so beautiful and yes, so unexpected in a big stompy stompy monster flick. As someone who gets kind of bored with how predictable most movies have become, the ending of Minus One with the twist?! Got me good, and the nice tease for a possible sequel that's been confirmed by the director. My favorite thing is that in a time period portrayed that was filled with death and destruction, symbolized by our G-Man, the film's main message is "Live". Also Dr. Noda's plan was a critic on how cheaply war supplies was made( like no ejection seats for kamikaze pilots) and how no shortcuts should be taken in the plan against Godzilla, that human life matters, it is not expendable. By far one of my all time favorite movies to-date now.
Sure there are 38 Godzilla movies but I honestly think there are two. 1. Godzilla is here to fight other Kaiju in what is basically pro wrestling. This Godzilla movie rules. 2. Godzilla is a metaphor that has the ability to touch something deep inside you. It can reach you in a way that reminds you that the human experience has some universal touchstones that cross all cultural lines. This Godzilla movie also rules.
Yes! I feel it's very important especially nowadays to remember what allowed godzilla last this long is to jump between serious and goofy movies on a dime!
@@ExpertContrarian need I remind you of the following Godzilla vs Monster Zero Godzilla vs Megalon Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla Godzilla vs the Sea Monster Godzilla:Destroy All Monsters Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla II Godzilla vs Space Godzilla AND godzilla final wars And that's just some of the stuff
When I told a friend why this movie was so great, I started laying out the plot, and after getting into in a little bit I said "And you'll notice I haven't even mentioned Godzilla yet!" Godzilla was a boon to this movie as a force to help drive the character-driven plot, not as a cheap source of thrills. I love that this and Oppenheimer seem like to sides of a coin: one is about the effect of nuclear Armageddon from a historical perspective, the other from a fictional perspective. They were the best films of 2023!
In the best monster movies, the monster is a metaphor. In this movie, the metaphor is several levels deep. The monster represents the devastation of WW2, the atomic genie that will never be back in the bottle, the spectre of samurai/kamikaze survivor's guilt and the reckoning of a government that never cared for its people. That's why killing the monster is so rousing and heartfelt - it's a found family that joins together to do the right thing because they want to.
I'm a lifelong Godzilla fan and this movie had me giggling and crying in theaters. The original Godzilla embodied the terror and helplessness of radiation hitting the country first in war, then in peacetime. This movie is the first one in almost seventy years which finally made Godzilla MORE again. And the music. I can't tell you how much I adore the music!
This movie was absolutely amazing, Godzilla was an absolute force of nature. The music was amazing, and the acting, characters and story were perfection. I really enjoyed how the characters aren't dumb either. I loved how immediately Kochi was called out when he requested a fighter plane. It showed the characters actually have some awareness and paid attention to him. When a lot of other movies would just gloss over it. His breakdown was absolutely tear jerking and heart wretching
I went in expecting giant smashy fun, I came out speechless, Hands down, the best Godzilla film ever. The best modern design for Godzilla that balances the power of the Legendary version, while still clearly being the "classic" Godzilla.
Lost in translation: Tachibana speaks in a dialect that is typical for the tough guy or gangster (Brooklyn, Boston type) He’s definitely speaking from the heart when he’s screaming in the bar. He is lashing out because he’s probably seen how this plays out before
"stop checking boxes and start telling stories" Is such a good way of explaining what's wrong with a lot of media these days. I would rather watch a low budget, crappy effects movie with good characters and plot then the grand majority of what's on screen these days.
I have CPTSD. So it’s from many, many years of repeated trauma. I’m 39 and am still having incidents that pile on onto it to this very day, just before watching your video. I’ve tried therapy and other things sources online say to do. But it doesn’t work. I think my best shot is for the trauma thing to stop. I keep changing people and finding new people and going to new places, but the same thing keeps happening. Only answer I have for why is potentially that I’m autistic (which I just found out last year). I ask everyone “why?” They either don’t answer at all or try to tell me it isn’t me, yet they keep doing it. Godzilla Minus One did such an incredible job or portraying someone with PTSD. It’s accurate, even down to showing that those with PTSD do go on with their lives and try to live normally even as they struggle. I’ve seen portrayals that show PTSD suffering folks just sitting in one room at home, staring at the tv and not doing anything. But this movie, they nailed it. People need to know and see that there’s a lot of people around them with PTSD and you wouldn’t know it because they look normal on the outside. The writing is excellent. The actors did a phenomenal job. The effects crew (even did well where the movie doesn’t feel or look like it’s over dripping with cgi like what Disney and Marvel do). The camera crew for doing the angles and movements just right. I mean, just everyone did great. This movie deserves all the rewards and praises. If human drama has to be a part of Godzilla, this is the way to do it. And Godzilla carries a deep meaning with him like he was originally meant to. They knocked it out of the park with this. PTSD is hell to live with. According to my counselor, PTSD folks have something like an 70-80% chance of recovery (I can’t recall the exact number). Which means, yes, there is a good chance if you have PTSD, you can recover and at least get close to normal. And there is a decent portion who can’t recover and are forever stuck there. I’m glad that Koichi is positioned where he could recover. I’m also extremely appreciative of Noriko sticking by him and trying to help him. This is rare. Very rare. She’s very strong and an excellent human being. Between Koichi and Akiko, I don’t see very many people who have as much love for others as her.
My sister and I went through so much when we were younger that it's almost impossible to explain the beginning and the end of our extremely unstable upraising. One parent endured extreme physical abuse, resulting in her getting a shattered cheekbone. That anger and emotion resided in her for nearly 1.5 decades, firing off in all directions, including us. After that divorce from my former stepdad, she went through multiple relationships with guys who had drug and alcohol problems. On top of that, I did not have normal behavioral and social patterns. Most kids my age did. It's not that I did not have thoughts and emotions, but had an extremely hard time coherently expressing them. Loving family members gave me an idea of what love is supposed to be. In a way they helped me compartmentalize my thoughts and emotions in a good way. Many thought I was suicidal because I could go for a couple months without speaking a word. I never was but always deeply paid attention while simultaneously having an overactive imagination. On top of that, the court's stepped in and we moved from family to family. My biological dad wanted nothing to do with me. When I lived with him, it was like living with a stranger. He never said "I love you" or actively communicated. Thankfully that has since changed. Not long after the courts, move me again. My little brother, Nathan passed away and dad became a registered sex offender. If it weren't for loving grandparents and other family members. I would not be here today. The seeds of love they planted also gave me the strength to survive 5 military combat deployments and help 2 good friends who attempted suicide after traumatic months.
I mentioned it in a previous comment that I have schizophrenia, and I was recently diagnosed with PTSD due to a childhood bully sending a death threat to my house. This movie was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in how real it gets the PTSD feeling.
I'm so glad that scene with Tachibana explaining the eject lever was in there, as well as the actual moment of forgiveness. I remember seeing Tachibana working on the eject lever and knowing what it was for. I thought it was going to be his last minute plan to completely destroy Shikishima by robbing him of the death that he chose. In a US script, I have no doubt that T. would have tricked S. into pulling the lever and ejecting and tried to play that off as demonstrating forgiveness.
It's really important to understand that this movie is tackling 2 very very serious emotional psychological things at once; survivors guilt and PTSD. This movie hits home because in the real world....... they are, in the instances of war veterans, always intrinsically linked. And this film nailed it.
As an avionics nerd friend told me, they foreshadowed the parachute brilliantly: those few who would know what they were seeing recognized that the seat Tachibana installed was a German one, one which had an ejection seat, because Japan had never built one.
Yep, even if you can't read German, the fact that there's German writing specifically on the seat and Tachibana is seen taking notice of it was a stellar hint. Ejection seats (in their "modern" iteration, as we think of them) were developed by Germany (and Sweden) during WWII, so it's a very appropriate "historical what-if".
That was one of the most thoughtful, original, and intelligent breakdowns of the film I've heard. And you've locked onto the core messages and themes of the movie precisely, expressing them so gracefully. You guys are something special. I'm subbing and looking forward to seeing your takes on other films of this caliber and depth! Cheers!
I saw this in IMAX, and it was a whole other experience. The scale, sound, and size of Godzilla, especially the opening scene, was so terrifying. My brain actually thought the monster was going to step on me. MASSIVE adrenaline rush like the best Universal Studios ride ever. It's now my favorite not just because of the IMAX screening, but I actually cared about the human characters when they are usually footnotes in the story. It was an incredible time at the movies. Watch as a double feature with Oppenheimer for one hell of a ride.
The authenticity of this film and it emotions really blew me away. "...my war isn't over" was probably the only thing he could have said to stop his crewmate from beating the snot out of him, but he understood, even in his drunken and unreasonable state. Amazing stuff.
As someone who's living in a country, that is in w_r, it's certainly hard to watch this movie since you literally understand the main protagonist and his struggles like guilt for surviving Each day you question yourself whether you can live through it or not, you literally have so much stuff to live through without any breaks This feeling is crushing you all the time Thank you for this important video, Cinema Therapy 🙏🏻
The man whose "duty" was to die was there to save everyone in the end because he chose to live. You should also see how our beloved engineer's speech about how Japan treated it's people as disposable for too long and it was now everyone's duty to live played into Koichi's battle against his guilt and feelings of failure.
22:00 Certainly not a cheat ^^ I'm from Germany, and when we watched the movie, we grinned at the whole drama of him potentially sacrificing himself, because when we saw the plane, we could read the thick fat lettering on the seat that said "Schleudersitz" - ejection seat ;D And my boyfriend even had to laugh when I reminded him "They never said it out loud. Everyone else outside of German-Speaking folks think he's dead at this point." XD
I saw the German on the seat, and I knew what it signified even thought I can't read it. But I was honestly unsure if I could trust the director not to twist the knife again and just make it a tragic movie.
One part i liked was the fist scene with tachibana showing the bomb rig on the plane, beeing a huge plane nerd i instantly picked up what was going to happen when the seat had german lettering
11:17 Damn........ I really needed to hear that. I've been undergoing training to become a mental health therapist and some days I have intense impostor syndrome, like I'm not helping anyone. Hearing the emphasis on empathy and human connection really fed my soul.
Telling the studio execs “If you don’t have humanity, invest in people who do” is an A+ quote. And very apt these days. They all think there’s some kind of numerical data they can analyze for what will make something a hit. No. It’s just human stories. We like movies and tv shows because they’re stories, not because they’re a product.
I think this Godzilla is one of the best Macguffins I've seen in cinema. I love how it drives the character's development and the relationships he has with the people around him. The balance between threat and perceived responsibility is really nicely tuned.
@jean-bastienjoly5962 Yeah, the neighbor auntie receives a telegram from her, and she takes it to Koichi when he gets back ashore from the battle and he rushes himself and Akiko to the hospital in Tokyo. She's got the arm cast, the eye bandage, the whole nine yards.
I can generally predict most twists in movies anymore but yes!! Noriko surviving and giving a lead into a possible sequel was the first twist of "Ah they lived!!" and truly got me good
She's likely infected by Godzilla's regenerating DNA implied by the "radioactive materials" found at the scene and the black bruise looking thing growing up her neck.
I cried so many times watching what Koichi is going through.. even though I never have PTSD or trauma ... Sometimes I also ask "Why am I still alive instead of..." when someone I knew pass away.. and most relatable is the feeling of "I'm not worthy of her" and "She'll be miserable if we are together"..
I've been a Godzilla fan since I was in diapers. I enjoy the Legendary pictures, but this movie had me in pieces. And the two moments that in any other movie would have taken so the gravitas away - Koichi ejecting from the plane, and Noriko surviving in the hospital - were the moments that made me weep. The fact that he finally learned to forgive himself, and the fact that after it had taken everything from him, the world finally gave something back.
Even the clip of the final plane scene here, without all the buildup, was enough to get me crying. I knew there was going to be some twist with Tachibana, but I had guessed that he would reveal to Shikishima on the runway, once it was too late to turn back, that he had removed the bombs so trying to kamikaze wouldn't accomplish anything. The movie's twist is so much better because it doesn't take away Shikishima's agency. It's his choice as to whether or not he pulls the ejection switch, he gets to choose to live. The ejector seat is also specifically important, as during the citizen's response meeting it's brought up that the government never installed ejector seats. Tachibana goes out of his way to install this non-standard system because he wasn't just an airplane mechanic, he was a kamikaze mechanic. Shikishima gets to be the one he saves, the one he doesn't send to their death.
My personal favorite Godzilla movies are definetly the ones that carry some sort of heavy cultural importance and historical significance to Japan, those being Minus One's representation of Imperial Japan's treatment of life, Shin Godzilla's representation of the Government's response to disasters and in particular Fukushima, and the original's representation of the whole world's hunger for more nuclear and general life threatening powers. I love of the Kaiju stuff as well, but man when you have so many layers to just one film it just makes the entire experience all the better. (Also I'm sure I haven't mentioned every Godzilla film with that type of message, those are just the ones I've watched)
"Stop checking boxes and start telling stories." I love that, and agree with it so much! Also, I loved this movie. Definitely one of my favorite from last year
When I watched this movie, the ending made me think of how my now husband changed my life through telling me that using an eject button isn’t cheating, it’s just valuing yourself over beliefs that don’t save you. That hit me hard. Not to mention how exhuberent I was that the big moment at the end was not that he sacrificed himself for mankind, but that he chose to live.
Impeccable timing as always, Cinema Therapy. I’m writing a character that’s going through similar trauma as Kōichi: trauma from her past, from her job, and now survivor’s guilt. The timing simply couldn’t have been better and I can only hope to write a story that’s 10% as good as Minus One. Thanks again and y’all have a lovely day!
I went into this movie with zero idea what to expect--my friends wanted to see it and I was like "yeah sure why not" I was absolutely blown away, did not expect at all to FEEL so much. I was fully expecting a big loud action monster movie, not a beautiful examination of love, loss, the devastation of war, the trauma that comes after, and the fight to rebuild. It was so refreshing to see Godzilla return to his roots as a powerful metaphor for true, real horrors.
Take the stress out of keeping up with the issues affecting our lives by checking out ground.news/cinematherapy and get 40% off the unlimited access to the Vantage plan.
This is a off topic and more related to the sponsor, but the "4B movement," is not actually a very large thing in Korea. It is considered a very fringe extremist movement, and in fact, most people in the general public don't know about it. A lot of Western news outlets are blowing it extremely out of proportion and acting like it is a huge wave in the country.
There is definitely a problem with sexism in the country, but the main reason people aren't getting married and having kids isn't because of 4B or toxic men. It is the same reason why the rest of the world isn't. No one has money or house and are not financially secure enough to do so. In fact, in a recent poll given to Korean men and women about the marriage and birthrate crisis, 60+% of women cited finances as the number 1 reason and career was the second reason. Toxic men was near the bottom with ~10% of the vote with women.
@@TheMask-q7l Stop saying feminists since there are so many typs of feminism. Besides a lot of things the Barbie movie criticis are a result of patriarchy even internalized patriarchy in women is a result of patriarchy not of feminism.
I just watched this a couple days ago. And this movie is amazing.
Since I've commented on a couple of past videos regarding sponsor choices, thought I should hop in after a few videos to say: I'm glad that I haven't seen Better Help as a sponsor lately. I know contracts can last a while, and these things are always shot WAY ahead of time and something like sponsorship per video is really hard to change after the fact.
Maybe I'm speaking too soon and next video they'll re-emerge, but we all have to deal with too much pointing out things wrong, not nearly enough what's right.
As a HUGE lifelong G-Fan, I would love to do an episode on the original film with you guys! I would be able to give LOTS of background insight on the film and I’m also just really curious to hear what you would have to say about it.
Please let me know if you’re interested in doing an episode with me.
My grandfather survived WW2 and when my father saw this movie all he said was "it is like watching dad when I was young, he was with us but his presence is far away"
They were so "Manly men" that never wanted to talk the horrible shit they saw
@@manriquez1991 and now we understand that being "manly" was their only way to cope / exist. The amount of pain they held on to ( and unfortunately passed on to their families... )
@@lynxthewise7233the Japanese🇯🇵 were possibly the Greatest & most Brutal Enemy we ever fought! 🇺🇸
@@treystephens6166 I'm tired of all the political division and strife.
@@lynxthewise7233 me too, maybe in 100 years it will be good again.
Man, "Is your war finally over?" still gets me. This movie is such a beautiful human movie disguised as a Godzilla film.
so true
It’s more impactful how it is said in Japanese. If you translate it directly she said “father, is your war over yet? (as in he has accepted his role as father to Akiko and husband to her. In Japanese families, you refer to each other from the lowest position in the family).
@@Evil.Totoro
She said “Kou san”, not “Tou san”.
Hero’s name is “Kouichi Shikishima”.
@@user-us7lm1mb5t oops my bad, I swear I heard Otosan. I hear what I wanted to hear I suppose.
That's exactly what a Godzilla film has always been.
I really like how even Godzilla is a victim of trauma. He was burned alive and mutated into a horrific unnatural monster. Even in the opening scene, he only attacked when provoked. He’s lashing out at the people he deems hurt him.
There’s a great fan speech about Godzilla: “I was the last of my kind, and you turned me into the first. That is why I punish you. Because I never thought I could be more alone”
Especially with how Godzilla hurts himself with his atomic breath in this version and needs to regenerate, it's a very nice way to add depth to a big monster. He's lashing out at those who hurt him and simultaneously hurts himself.
The movie just gets even better each day.
@@evangremlich5775 Perfectly said
Jeebus. That gave me goosebumps. The anger feels so palpable
Underated comment hands down.
Something that struck me is how Tachibana gets his own kind of release at the end. He was an airplane mechanic that for the latter part of the war worked on kamikaze planes; in other words, sending men off explicitly to die. In the end, he helps someone accomplish their mission and live as well. When he tells Shikishima "Live" I feel like he's also thinking "Please don't let me send another person to their death."
That's beautiful! I love that!
Amazing take! I completely agree!
He forgives him and he helps him understand that he deserves to stay alive.
His reaction when he gets the news that Shikishima ejected safely honestly just sells it and hits me hard everytime I see it.
Oh fuck! That had not occurred to me at all!
This was the first Godzilla movie where I actually cared about the humans! Such a beautiful movie.
I agree, usually, you're just waiting for Godzilla to kill them, since they're usually so insufferable. Luckily, they're a lot more tolerable now.
It's not just caring about them, but for me it was also the first one since Final Wars (which was the final japanese Godzilla movie until Shin Gozilla and Minus One) that didn't make the human plot really boring.
...and tbf, Final Wars is a silly, cheesy battle shonen anime/Matrix clone with Godzilla beating asses left and right, but I love that movie. It's so fun.
This one and the original 1950s film
But this one even more
The first one too
I guess you haven't watched many Godzilla films. There have been some solid human characters in there since 1954.
Godzilla is one big-ass metaphor for survivor's guilt/PTSD in Minus One. Which is especially bad when you're a Kamikaze pilot who clearly didn't do his job.
Kaiju are always at their best when they're a "big ass metaphor" anything less than that is mindless destruction for destruction sake
@@siraaron4462 destruction for destruction sake has its place though, when I'm having a bad day I would rather watch a silly showa era Godzilla instead of the first 1954 one, although that one is clearly better written.
And as usual, he's always a metaphor for the atomic bomb. In this case, the collective PTSD of a nation that got *literally* Nuked.
He wouldnt have to do his job if the government just installed ejector seats. Instructing soldiers to die senselessly and calling it honorable is horrid.
@@Phantomsbreathi bet in reality the japanese didnt find out what hit them for some time after. Imagine just being hit by such destruction and not knowing what caused it. It had to seem like some horrendous supernatural event causing wild speculation as to the cause.
As a man that's had suicidal ideation and felt like I didn't deserve to live and be on this earth, I cried in the middle of this movie whilst watching it in the cinema.
It reminded me of the quote "sometimes even to live is an act of courage." I've found that choosing to live can be a hard choice at times, but I'm glad I've chosen to live and not act on my dark thoughts
And we're glad you're still here with us!
❤
I'm happy you didn't.
As someone who's had similar issues that speech Noda gives got to me a bit as well.
I have schizophrenia and depression, so I deal with Suicidal Thoughts quite often. I was hit hard by the movies message
“Stop checking boxes. Start telling stories.” -Johnno
Hear hear!!
I think Sumiko doesn't get enough credit in the movie. She lost everything too, her home, her neighbors, her husband (in the war probably), and especially her kids. She placed blame on Koichi immediately, gave up "caring" in her despair. But she quickly turned around as soon as she saw a chance to help their little found family. She has too much kindness in her to let the bad things that happened keep her down.
Agreed, I loved her story!
She is Japan, she is the nation itself, I thought that when she said to Koichi “my children died” blaming the loser soldier, but the she forgives and protects
She set aside her pain for the sake of the greater good and a better future
The guy who played Koichi is the guy who voiced Taki in ‘Your Name’. This guy gotta stop making me cry in movies he’s in.
yeah, between those two movies he has enough tears for a decent sized pool. What a Chad.
do not remember him making me cry in Rurouni Kenshin movies, so... Try them?)
What a legend!!
I knew it! If you close your eyes, the voice inflection is EXACTLY like that of an anime. I believe that this choice in direction was key to making this movie more digestible to non-Japanese audiences.
@@ArseniyShved I almost cried when he had the breakdown at the end of Kyoto Inferno...
The other reason Shikishima did not kill himself is his parents told him to come back to them, to come back alive. That's why coming home to find them dead had a greater impact. He acted "dishonorably", in his opinion, and does not even get to come home to his parents.
So many seem to miss that point. It's another turn of the screw to that character's psyche.
Yes, he took living as a mission given by his mother, not something he needed for himself.
Very few movies really showcase how our main heroes can have a life that just fucking sucks
Everyone who has watched or knows about Grave of the Fireflies will understand this: I love Noriko above all characters in this movie because she "got involved". She saved Akiko without being a mother, she stuck by Koichi despite all his inner demons and loved him without being his wife or his lover, and only was about leaving him when she sensed she could be a liability. We praise the heroes who pilot warplanes and fight, but it's human being like Noriko the ones who make the world worth fighting for.
(Yes I actually cheered and cried in the last scene)
I love their romance. Like it's so good. It's exactly what every romance should be. They clearly fell in love each other, it's was just a question of if it was going to be the intimate "relationship" love or if it's sibling or if it's best friends. I love it, and I love that its in this movie and. Ugh. It's so perfect.
@@seaborgium919 RIGHT? It was based of mutual respect and companionship first and foremost and THEN, romantic love appeared. I'd say their marriage would last a lifetime.
This movie had me crying multiple times
Indeed. Although one of the problems I have with the atomic blast city in the city scene is that she shoul dhave died. All that debris, which are multiple varying sizes of concrete and whatnot, being flung towards her. Ain't no way anyone can justify her surviving that.
@@nalublackwater9729 so much better than any romance subplot in any other movie I've seen, because that's how actual love is in real life. I wish other movies did romance like that. companionship and respect are the building blocks, not the after effects.
"Stop checking boxes and start telling stories."
Disney feels personally attacked right now. 😂
That would imply Disney is capable of feeling
Well they did make shogun. Fortunately it was a limited series otherwise it would end up like assassins creed shadows if it went on longer
@@pheunithpsychic-watertype9881 End up like Assassins Creed Shadows? How? By including a historically existing black person in a country he actually was in? I'm very confused by this claim you're making.
@@CaptainPikeachu ask the Japanese what they think of AC: Shadows and you'll see what claim he's making
@@CaptainPikeachu He's not talking about who is being used, simply how they use them. Disney, and other American companies reduce everyone to archetypes instead of fleshed out characters.
As a non-deployed Marines Veteran that has ptsd, survivors guilt, and imposter syndrome. I relate to this character. Not going to lie, i cried in the theater with some of the PTSD triggers.
This is the best movie of 2023. And probably of the decade.
You're not alone, brother. No judgment from this vet.
Yes sir
As an Army Vet who did deploy, you have nothing to be ashamed about. You put on that uniform knowing there was always a chance of getting in harms way. That takes guts.
The hero’s journey archetype is displayed here along with these other emotions… you are not alone, there is an awesomeness about your life. Top 5 movie of all time for me.
My wife and I discussed this movie for a couple hours after seeing it and one of the things we came away from it with was how it depicted honor and duty. At the beginning, he has a duty to die and is dishonored because he chickened out. But as the movie goes on it shifts and becomes a duty to LIVE. And to find the honor in moving forward every day despite your demons. This movie was awesome. And props to the sound design too. The super loud parts were saved for the most important. And it got ghostly quiet in my theater at some points. It was magical.
I love how this movie, from right out of the gate scoffs at the idea of "dying honorably" the only honorable "death" in the movie was when someone who promised to live no matter what spent what maight have been her last moments protecting someone else. No death that fails to honor the sanctity and value of life is honorable.
@@siraaron4462Dang, that almost made me tear up.
@@siraaron4462I know a lot of people (including myself) when I first saw this movie felt it was dumb how Noriko just pushes Shikishima into the alleyway and essentially nearly gets herself killed when she could’ve easily just fit in the same alley with him… but honestly looking back at it… it just makes the movie even better and more tragic. The way she was willing to give herself up despite feeling the need to live to essentially someone who believed had no reason to live just makes the final third act so powerful. This personal stake and driving force of vengeance, but to fight for honor and not just vengence.
Another aspect of duty was the fact that the ex-navy personnel volunteered to go out and fight the monster. And they did this despite the fact that far too much had already been asked of them already. For that kind of person, they volunteer because they cannot even imagine letting somebody else take their place.
They did this because he was the future - and they were the past.
@@colincampbell767 The scene where they're asked to volunteer was so incredibly well done, because it's done in a unique way that actually makes them all feel like individuals making decisions. When they're asked, a few slowly start to speak up that they can't do it, they have families now and such. And so they leave, and no one thinks lesser of them for it. But what got me is it's not just one or two, but _also_ isn't most of the room.
Normally in movies these situations end with either every single person deciding to stay like a hivemind, maybe like two people leaving, or everyone but the main characters leaving. This film went with none of those options. A decent chunk left, though still less than half, and it really felt... natural and human.
Yukikaze's captain insisting that these are not orders, that everyone is free to decide for themselves is also such a core theme of the film.
This was my 2023 movie of the year no joke. Beautifully crafted and the first Godzilla movie where I actively cared about the human protagonists.
Totally agree!
My movie of the decade
With a 15 million dollar budget no less. And it won best visual effects at the Oscars. 😲 My favorite Godzilla movie of all time.
@@retro_gamer8587 I agree with Nerdrotic all movie budgets going forward should be in how many Godzilla Minus One.
@@retro_gamer8587 I gonna have to check again, but I remember reading that in an interview someone asked the director about how they achieved the visual effects with only 15 million dollar budget, and he answered "I wished we had that much"
Edit: because UA-cam always deletes my comments if I have links in it, go search "Godzilla Minus One Director Denies $15 Million Budget Claim", apparently he said that during Tokyo Comic Con
“There may be people who don’t want you around.
There may be people who treat you like garbage.
There may be people who blame you for a lot of things.
And maybe there’s some truth to what they blame you for.
Maybe there are areas where you stumbled, where you fell.
But how they treat you, that’s a them thing.
And how they value you, that’s a them thing.”
I really needed to hear this. As someone who got thrown to the side by someone who I thought I was close to, it messes with me a lot. Hearing this just helps. Thanks Cinema Therapy!
At what point does some become whole? At what point is a them thing just the reality of the situation. Gotta love psych one min they coding and strapped and the next it’s all forgotten.
We can’t exactly learn if mistakes don’t exist and we can’t be fiercely determined to be a better person if we don’t have at least one “enemy”. And we can’t learn what kind of chocolate is the best kind if only dark chocolate exists… unfortunately.
Finally a new Godzilla movie in which the humans are relatable and convincing and not just running away from being stomped!
So... the first ever Godzilla movie to do that?
@@benwasserman8223 Nah, the original one (not the american adaptation) does that pretty well. And personally I find the characters in SHin Godzilla pretty interesting as well.
It's was an impact full movie putting real life situations I love it
Shin Godzilla is good in this department too
I think the ratio is like 1:10, maybe 1:9 or 8 where they tell real human stories like this.
I saw this movie in the theater with my brother and dad. All three of us, grown men, cried our eyes out. Such a wonderful surprise, to see a movie so life-affirming.
No matter you sex or gender, you can cry, no shame man. It's a human thing to have emotions and to express them.
At the start of the movie he was too afraid to die, at the end of the movie he had the courage to live.
Both while flying an airplane. This film has some great symmetry.
Ypu put that soo good 👏
飛行機の着陸のシーンと離陸のシーンは両方とも飛行機の底を映しているが、上に乗っているシキシマの気持ちは全く違っている。
👏🏼
LET’S GO!! Never thought a movie about a radioactive dinosaur would make me cry, but here we are 😂😭
Same! 😭
The Matthew Broderick version made me cry but for all the wrong reasons
Watch the original godzilla
@@oldbirbman I’ve seen pretty much every Godzilla movie, bar maybe 4
I loved that, when they found out that Koichi and Noriko weren't married and not related to Akiko, their reaction wasn't "Oh, god. Scandal!", but that it was good that he was able to build a family amongst the ruins and tragedy of the war. He is rebuilding as much as someone repairing the city.
Them not being married _and_ not being related to Akiko is such a beautiful representation of everyone coming together to support each other and rebuild.
When the destroyers charge forward to enact their plan, and the classic Gojira theme starts playing. I had the biggest smile on my face, it felt like the whole theater was there as part of the team.
I also loved the almost angelic choir that would play during the godzilla destruction scenes. Really kind of sold this feeling of "it's a god"
Historically in the Godzilla franchise that decision actually carries a lot of weight. In the original 1954 film the theme was for the Japanese air force that arrived to drive Godzilla away. People just associated the theme more with the monster so it became a core part of Godzilla's theme over the years. In Gojira the defense forces were powerless to stop Godzilla but now in Minus One they take that theme back from representing the monster and use it to once again cheer on the defenders of Japan.
@@kamenriderkfp6684the indomitable human spirit took Godzilla's precious theme away
Something I've always loved about Godzilla is that he can be used to tell any story you want him to. Be it the dangers of nuclear warfare, a titan protecting nature and keeping its balance, an allegory for the triple disaster in Japan, and in this case, how a kamikaze pilot learned to forgive himself and find purpose in his life. This Godzilla movie felt more human than all the other Godzilla movies combined and I adore it
I actually didn’t watch any Godzilla movies before this. I watched this because I loved two of the Japanese actors, Ryunosuke and Yuki. And this is an amazing movie and I’m so happy that the two are involved in this beautiful movie
The whole cast did an incredible job!
I've never watched any stompy-stompy monster movie because it's not my cup of tea. And that was exactly why a friend recommended this iteration to me. Was not disappointed.
I think there is also a huge relief for Tachinbana who spent the war fixing planes for Kamikaze pilots knowing he was aiding in the process that would send them to therir deaths to be able to finally help a pilot survive and come home.
I agree, the attack on the city, especially the black rain moment, will be one of those movie scenes I'll never forget. Easily one of the best depictions of the devastation war brings.
The fact this movie wasn’t nominated for Best International Film (only Best Visual Effects) is criminal!
This film had everything: great set pieces, a storyline where you actually care about the characters, and (yes, admittedly) stellar visual effects. I could on and on about this film, but it was hands down one of the best Godzilla movies ever produced. I cannot wait for the sequel!
It was totally snubbed, yes.
I only disagree about waiting for a sequel.
The stories of the characters is closed.
Godzilla isn't dead because Toho don't like him dieing, but I don't think you can add something after that would enrich the story more.
@@thomasfplmWell the movie did tease at Noriko becoming Biollonte because of her infection with G-Cells and if you pay attention to the framing of the scene, you’ll notice how a plant horn is symbolically appearing out her head
@@cloudshines812, I'm kinda hoping this is an open ending and not a continuation, because I think it would be hard to continue the story widout damaging it.
@@thomasfplm Agreed. This is very much one of those cases where a phenomenal film is best left standalone.
One thing about Tachibana (sorry if I spell any names wrong) is that he has an entire character arch of being a mechanic that makes sure suicide bombers can do their job, to building an aircraft that let's the kamikaze pilots do their job without dying.
He doesn't say "live" for no reason. This man spent a period of time making sure aircraft were fit to fly a pilot to his unenviable death. He lived every time (probably a reason he was so willing to lay his life on the line in the first place) knowing he sent yet another pilot to their death.
This time, he has a chance to change that. To accomplish the same mission with a different outcome. No aircraft mechanic wants to see their pilots perish. Tachibana is the same. But he was forced to. And when given the chance......... he makes sure his pilot has the chance to come home and live.
👏🏼
One thing I missed the first time around but noticed the second time was how when he fails to shoot Godzilla on the island, Godzilla is smaller, and because he didn't take care of him then and there Godzilla grows and becomes a much bigger problem to deal with.
Problems are like that sometimes, if we ignore them when they are small, they will just grow to be a big problem that will be much harder to deal with.
this.
The scene when Tachibana told him to keep living hit me like a ton of bricks in the theater.
Yep 😭
In that scene, all of the sudden i remember that Tachibana always wanted him to live. That in the first act, Tachibana tells him explicitly that he shouldn't die for a cause, lost or not. And what's wild is, we go on that journey with Koichi and we completely forget that aspect until that scene reminds us
This movie was sooooo great. As a massive Godzilla fan, this is the closet that we got form the original Godzilla movie (1954).
Yeah, a modernization of the 1950 version in every respectable way.
Love how they subverted the ending though
Saburo Sakai was a WWII Japanese fighter pilot and ace. He was the highest scoring Japanese ace to survive the war. In his autobiography, he recalled his feelings when he heard about High Command's decision to commence the kamikaze attacks. The first thing out of his mouth was basically, "That's stupid. What's that going to accomplish other than get men killed for nothing?" By that time, it was already very clear that Japan had no hope to win any war against the US and its material might. Despite the propaganda that the kamikaze corps was all volunteer, there were those who refused the "honor" because of the uselessness of the tactic. Those who refused were shamed and socially ostracized to accept.
I currently live in Japan and saw this movie in theaters. While I am studying Japanese, I went a good portion of this without always understanding what was being said. No English subtitles, just me and Japanese. So my praise for this movie is that I was able to understand, and to feel, through the directing alone through the whole movie. I cried, I cheered, I cried some more, and I fell in love. So for all the phenomenal writing, the action, the history of it, the directing and acting brought it home in a way that even I could understand, emphasize, and feel deeply with
Can you imagine this being your first Godzilla movie and you're so blown away, and then you start going through the back catalog? What a rollercoaster.
It was my first... I'm guessing it's not really worth it, huh?
@@thebookwyrm235 the original is worth a watch. Then, yeah, I guess it depends on what you're into...
@@thebookwyrm235the first Godzilla is probably tied with this fro my personal favorites as far as storytelling goes. OG Godzilla is a metaphor for nuclear testing and asks the question of what it means to be a conscientious contributor-while also following a character driven narrative. Of course, some of the rest are goofy and just meant to be kaiju fighting kaiju, but the movies that stand out are gems.
@@elagabalus5149 Good to know. Thanks!
Holy moley , as someone who’s watched the show since the pandemic days I wasn’t expecting an episode on a godzilla movie. Makes perfect sense though, exploration of the characters’psychology is a big part of this film.
We weren't expecting it either, but the movie has real substance!
@@CinemaTherapyShow CT replied to me , I shall treasure this memory until I fade away.
I love how they showed Godzilla as a force of nature from the civilian perspective. It really sells the main character's fear during their city confrontation.
What hit me the most was when koichi was opening up to Noriko about what happened in Odo island. I never seen a scene accurately depict a man who has so much shame, so much guilt, so much weight that he to carry, to the point where when he finally tells Noriko, it feels like a weight that has been lifted for not only the character but for the audience. I’m so used to American movies where a character tells someone what happened and they don’t believe them because of how ridiculous it is. But for Noriko, she instead listens. That’s what makes the relationship between Noriko and Koichi so beautiful, she is willing to listen and help koichi no matter what. When she says that koichi was meant to live, the look koichi gave her was heartbreaking. It was like he wanted to believe her but deep down his guilt can’t let himself be happy. And that’s when I knew this was the best movie of 2023. The acting was superb.
Husband and I saw this one in theaters twice - once in color and once in B&W. One of the best movies I've seen in a long time.
I wish I had a chance to see this film in theaters but life happened both times it released
I went in expecting “blow this sh** up, kill everyone” with low budget special effects and I was in for a surprise! I cried my heart out watching it! 😅
The movie was written during the pandemic, which shows through in two ways:
1) Godzilla is a disaster that, like it or not, affects everyone equally. It is a collective problem that the people in Japan need to handle themselves, because
2) The Japanese government was very slow to respond to the crisis, preferring instead to keep the peace rather than tackle the situation head-on. The regular citizens realized it was up to them to come up with a solution and pull themselves out of their mess.
This was in an interview with the filmmakers from The Verge, if anyone is interested.
I think you're getting this film confused with Shin Godzilla
Like the other guy said, isn't this more in line with Shin Godzilla? That movie was made in response to the Government's oopsie response to the Fukushima Disaster.
It's usually better when they're isn't a government response.
@@jg3000 Godzilla can't be allowed to destroy people's lives.
@@economiccrisis9267 Right and the citizens solved the problem better than the government ever could.
There are so many moments in the third act that are just pure cathartic release for so many characters and I think the biggest one is when they're detailing the plan and they make a statement to run this operation without planned casualties and everyone intending to make it back home. Their country wanted them to die and they chose to reclaim their right to live. And it's so satisfying to see them succeed without losing anyone.
Absolutely! All the main characters (and destroyer crews) living was absolutely crucial to the story's core theme about _living._ A lesser film would have taken so many opportunities to have random extras die for "drama", like someone getting crushed when Yukikaze's crane collapses, or have Hibiki get sunk, etc. But it turns out that especially when it's a well written story with good themes, audiences do in fact prefer a happy ending.
Godzilla movies started off as an allegory since original Godzilla was an allegory for nuclear bombs and the destruction they can cause
The only good monster movies keep the allegory in the forefront imo
anybody who doesn't register that a bunch of movies made in japan about a gigantic nuclear monster that levels cities and slaughters innocent civilians are an allegory for hiroshima and nagasaki needs to repeat 8th grade history class.
@@siraaron4462 yup
@dietotaku
広島と長崎だけではなく、1954年3月の第五福竜丸事件の事も忘れないでください。アメリカが、ビキニ環礁で行った水爆実験（キャッスル作戦）による死の灰で第五福竜丸他、多数の日本の漁船が被曝しました。この事件に衝撃を受けて作成されたのが初代「ゴジラ」です。ですから、初代ゴジラ以降の共通のヒストリーとして、ゴジラはビキニ環礁での水爆実験によって生まれた（生き残っていた恐竜が突然変異した）と言われているのです。
@@siraaron4462 GMK was pretty good at it
I liked how the people were sent home to see their families before the final battle, but not to say goodbye, but so they could be reminded of what they had to live for.
We see something similar as Koichi is flying out too. There's a shot of him looking down at the countryside below shortly before he engages Godzilla, and it _seems_ like him taking one last look at his homeland before going to his death... but as we learn later he had already decided to live. He was reminding himself of what he's protecting.
I watched this film only about a week ago for the first time, this upload came at the perfect time for me!
One of the things that hit me so hard was the fact that they tell you that kamikaze planes didn't have parachute seats installed, because the pilots were expected to do the noble thing and die for their country. Their lives were expendable and devalued and they were EXPECTED to give up literally everything with no way out if they did get cold feet.
This is then contrasted with the fact that the team that took down Godzilla were all volunteers who were given an out - they were told "if you don't want to to this, you can leave. We can't guarantee you'll live and we don't want to put that on you." And then at the end? Not a single person died in that battle, including Koichi. You feel the weight of Koichi's death right before the parachute reveal, and you feel how tragic it is to lose even one person - but then they reveal that he made it.
Even Noriko makes it in the end.
Just this once, everyone lives.
There's one thing I can say about this movie. This movie is a genuine masterpiece that transcends time and allows you to ``watch the movie and cry, and cry while listening to everyone's heated discussions.''
This is actually an episode I've been waiting for for the longest time. Metaphors are how I kind of navigate my emotions and experiences, and my therapist is a huge nerd, so I've often taken to speaking with him about Minus One, making comparison between the movie and how one experiences guilt, grief, and shame. I've spoken at length with my therapist about various symbology within the movie as well, like how Godzilla can be considered a physical manifestation of the main character's shame. So happy to finally see you guys cover this.
I loved how consious the movie was about it's message in the end. I never had any doubt that Shikishima would eject, but the movie primes the viewer to think that he's being tricked by the mechanic...that the 'arm the bomb' lever would somehow actually eject him at the last minute; which would lead to his survival, but wouldn't complete his character arc at all. The twist isn't that he survives, it's that he consiously chooses to, and that is so much more important given the broader themes of the movie.
Well said. :)
I loved that the characters and relationships in this movie felt so real. So many movies rely on the rough and tough, perfect action heroes. The vulnerability of the main characters in this movie made them human and relatable.
This movie moved me deeply!
I currently struggle from imposter's syndrome, depression and trying to get out from an abusive home. I also have autism, which makes dealing with the anxiety, pressure and my feelings much more difficult.
I am a massive Gojira fan, so this movie hit me in such a different way. It doesn't ignore the pain that one feels when one's stuck in a horrible situation. It also doesn't justify the self-destructive ideas that can come when facing trauma and taking too much responsibility from things out of our control.
I really cried with both the themes of found family and finding the strength and will to live, even when everything seems to be falling down.
I want to thank you for covering this movie. I adored it, am thankful for being able to revisit it with you both, and can't wait for knowing the depth and meaning you will find with it as well.
To me this movie is about forgiveness; forgiveness to others and forgiveness to yourself. While I agree with your view on the theme of the movie being no matter your past, today you can stand up and be different, I would say or rather supplement the theme is you should forgive rather than hold onto hatred and anger. Both themes support each other, so I think both are valid and also strong. Themes should be something that could be argued; where both sides can be believed. I love this movie because not only did Shikishima make that journey from anti-theme to theme which any protagonist in any story should do, but so many of the side characters in this story made that thematic journey too.
"Stop checking boxes and start telling stories" as Cap america meme said "i got that reference!"
now really, well said as a latin america/african desendent just stop checking boxes and start doing good quality stuff!
So I’m surprised that Allen didn’t talk about the cinematography during the scene where Koiichi tells his backstory. How the camera starts behind him and slowly circles around as he opens up.
I watched this movie and less than two weeks later a bunch of trauma happened to me, to the point that I almost ended my life. I got on antidepressants and have a therapist who I talk to about this movie a lot. We’re doing parts work and one of my “parts”, my trauma, is Minus Goji. I’m learning to soothe this enraged part instead of cowering in fear of it. So in my own way I’m facing a Godzilla, but I am working on loving the rage out of him because he is a part of me. So by loving that hurt part, I am learning to love myself too.
There is a version of Godzilla for every decade of my life (I’m 44) and I’m typing this on Godzilla’s 70th birthday.
I may not know you, but I'm glad you're still here with us!
Yes! This movie hit me so hard, especially, "Is your war finally over?". I really related Koichi's PTSD to my anxiety disorder.
For me it was: 'I came home - but the war came with me.' And when she asked if his war was over yet - I asked myself that question. And to my surprise - the answer was: 'yes.' I thought that it would always stay with me - but sometime in the past several years it left and I never realized it until that question was asked at the end of the movie.
One of the things I really liked in this movie is how so many characters were dealing with trauma in their own ways, and their horror when they see someone else trying but falling to their own trauma, like the mechanic that gave Koichi those photos. He was hurting and lashing out, but over time came dealt with the trauma of surviving the war and Godzilla's attack just before the end of the war. His horror when he realizes what he's done to Koichi was powerful.
fun fact:山崎監督は明子役の女の子を絶賛しており、オーディションの前までは男の子の設定だったが彼女を見て女の子の設定にしてしまった。
山崎監督の一番のお気に入りのシーンは、最後の夜にシキシマにイラストを渡した時彼女が笑顔になった場面だ。監督は彼女を天才だと述べている。
This is the first ever Godzilla movie that made me weep like a baby
That scene where Tachibana asked him to live was so powerful. I agree with the two of you, that movie was so awesomly well written and maybe exactly what some people with PTSD need to hear and see. I know I did.
My husband and I are huge Godzilla fans, my husband especially, and Minus One is top tier in my list. The human story and relatability of the characters was so beautiful and yes, so unexpected in a big stompy stompy monster flick. As someone who gets kind of bored with how predictable most movies have become, the ending of Minus One with the twist?! Got me good, and the nice tease for a possible sequel that's been confirmed by the director.
My favorite thing is that in a time period portrayed that was filled with death and destruction, symbolized by our G-Man, the film's main message is "Live".
Also Dr. Noda's plan was a critic on how cheaply war supplies was made( like no ejection seats for kamikaze pilots) and how no shortcuts should be taken in the plan against Godzilla, that human life matters, it is not expendable.
By far one of my all time favorite movies to-date now.
Sure there are 38 Godzilla movies but I honestly think there are two.
1. Godzilla is here to fight other Kaiju in what is basically pro wrestling. This Godzilla movie rules.
2. Godzilla is a metaphor that has the ability to touch something deep inside you. It can reach you in a way that reminds you that the human experience has some universal touchstones that cross all cultural lines. This Godzilla movie also rules.
Yes! I feel it's very important especially nowadays to remember what allowed godzilla last this long is to jump between serious and goofy movies on a dime!
No, only 2 is good. 1 is a disgraceful cash grab
@@dinosaurdundeeog1462that’s just a narrative you created in your head
Disrespectful....to themselves? Toho were doing goofy ahhh monster brawls LONG before the monsterverse
@@ExpertContrarian need I remind you of the following
Godzilla vs Monster Zero
Godzilla vs Megalon
Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla
Godzilla vs the Sea Monster
Godzilla:Destroy All Monsters
Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla II
Godzilla vs Space Godzilla
AND godzilla final wars
And that's just some of the stuff
When I told a friend why this movie was so great, I started laying out the plot, and after getting into in a little bit I said "And you'll notice I haven't even mentioned Godzilla yet!" Godzilla was a boon to this movie as a force to help drive the character-driven plot, not as a cheap source of thrills. I love that this and Oppenheimer seem like to sides of a coin: one is about the effect of nuclear Armageddon from a historical perspective, the other from a fictional perspective. They were the best films of 2023!
Funny enough, you could take Godzilla out of Minus One and still have a great period piece film.
@@tristanmilner9511 As someone who'd never seen a Godzilla film before, the historical setting is exactly what pulled me in. :)
In the best monster movies, the monster is a metaphor. In this movie, the metaphor is several levels deep. The monster represents the devastation of WW2, the atomic genie that will never be back in the bottle, the spectre of samurai/kamikaze survivor's guilt and the reckoning of a government that never cared for its people. That's why killing the monster is so rousing and heartfelt - it's a found family that joins together to do the right thing because they want to.
as someone whos struggled with suicidal thoughts and just hopelessness the whole theme of living hit me like a truck when i first saw it
I'm a lifelong Godzilla fan and this movie had me giggling and crying in theaters. The original Godzilla embodied the terror and helplessness of radiation hitting the country first in war, then in peacetime. This movie is the first one in almost seventy years which finally made Godzilla MORE again.
And the music. I can't tell you how much I adore the music!
Been waiting for this for a while, so glad you guys are covering it. This movie made me feel ALL the emotions in the theater.
Yeah, what an intense movie theater experience!
This movie was absolutely amazing, Godzilla was an absolute force of nature. The music was amazing, and the acting, characters and story were perfection. I really enjoyed how the characters aren't dumb either. I loved how immediately Kochi was called out when he requested a fighter plane. It showed the characters actually have some awareness and paid attention to him. When a lot of other movies would just gloss over it. His breakdown was absolutely tear jerking and heart wretching
This is not the first time a Cinema Therapy video inspired me to watch a movie I haven’t yet seen, and it won’t be the last.
I went in expecting giant smashy fun, I came out speechless, Hands down, the best Godzilla film ever. The best modern design for Godzilla that balances the power of the Legendary version, while still clearly being the "classic" Godzilla.
Lost in translation: Tachibana speaks in a dialect that is typical for the tough guy or gangster (Brooklyn, Boston type) He’s definitely speaking from the heart when he’s screaming in the bar. He is lashing out because he’s probably seen how this plays out before
That's a good detail to know.
"stop checking boxes and start telling stories" Is such a good way of explaining what's wrong with a lot of media these days. I would rather watch a low budget, crappy effects movie with good characters and plot then the grand majority of what's on screen these days.
I have CPTSD. So it’s from many, many years of repeated trauma. I’m 39 and am still having incidents that pile on onto it to this very day, just before watching your video. I’ve tried therapy and other things sources online say to do. But it doesn’t work. I think my best shot is for the trauma thing to stop. I keep changing people and finding new people and going to new places, but the same thing keeps happening. Only answer I have for why is potentially that I’m autistic (which I just found out last year). I ask everyone “why?” They either don’t answer at all or try to tell me it isn’t me, yet they keep doing it.
Godzilla Minus One did such an incredible job or portraying someone with PTSD. It’s accurate, even down to showing that those with PTSD do go on with their lives and try to live normally even as they struggle. I’ve seen portrayals that show PTSD suffering folks just sitting in one room at home, staring at the tv and not doing anything. But this movie, they nailed it. People need to know and see that there’s a lot of people around them with PTSD and you wouldn’t know it because they look normal on the outside.
The writing is excellent. The actors did a phenomenal job. The effects crew (even did well where the movie doesn’t feel or look like it’s over dripping with cgi like what Disney and Marvel do). The camera crew for doing the angles and movements just right. I mean, just everyone did great. This movie deserves all the rewards and praises. If human drama has to be a part of Godzilla, this is the way to do it. And Godzilla carries a deep meaning with him like he was originally meant to. They knocked it out of the park with this.
PTSD is hell to live with. According to my counselor, PTSD folks have something like an 70-80% chance of recovery (I can’t recall the exact number). Which means, yes, there is a good chance if you have PTSD, you can recover and at least get close to normal. And there is a decent portion who can’t recover and are forever stuck there. I’m glad that Koichi is positioned where he could recover.
I’m also extremely appreciative of Noriko sticking by him and trying to help him. This is rare. Very rare. She’s very strong and an excellent human being. Between Koichi and Akiko, I don’t see very many people who have as much love for others as her.
Totally relate to your feeling that nothing helps or works.. EMDR helped me more than anything else.
My sister and I went through so much when we were younger that it's almost impossible to explain the beginning and the end of our extremely unstable upraising. One parent endured extreme physical abuse, resulting in her getting a shattered cheekbone. That anger and emotion resided in her for nearly 1.5 decades, firing off in all directions, including us. After that divorce from my former stepdad, she went through multiple relationships with guys who had drug and alcohol problems. On top of that, I did not have normal behavioral and social patterns. Most kids my age did. It's not that I did not have thoughts and emotions, but had an extremely hard time coherently expressing them. Loving family members gave me an idea of what love is supposed to be. In a way they helped me compartmentalize my thoughts and emotions in a good way. Many thought I was suicidal because I could go for a couple months without speaking a word. I never was but always deeply paid attention while simultaneously having an overactive imagination.
On top of that, the court's stepped in and we moved from family to family. My biological dad wanted nothing to do with me. When I lived with him, it was like living with a stranger. He never said "I love you" or actively communicated. Thankfully that has since changed. Not long after the courts, move me again. My little brother, Nathan passed away and dad became a registered sex offender. If it weren't for loving grandparents and other family members. I would not be here today. The seeds of love they planted also gave me the strength to survive 5 military combat deployments and help 2 good friends who attempted suicide after traumatic months.
I mentioned it in a previous comment that I have schizophrenia, and I was recently diagnosed with PTSD due to a childhood bully sending a death threat to my house. This movie was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in how real it gets the PTSD feeling.
I'm so glad that scene with Tachibana explaining the eject lever was in there, as well as the actual moment of forgiveness.
I remember seeing Tachibana working on the eject lever and knowing what it was for. I thought it was going to be his last minute plan to completely destroy Shikishima by robbing him of the death that he chose. In a US script, I have no doubt that T. would have tricked S. into pulling the lever and ejecting and tried to play that off as demonstrating forgiveness.
Godzilla-1 deserved also a best movie Oscar, and not only a best special effects one.
It's really important to understand that this movie is tackling 2 very very serious emotional psychological things at once; survivors guilt and PTSD.
This movie hits home because in the real world....... they are, in the instances of war veterans, always intrinsically linked. And this film nailed it.
As an avionics nerd friend told me, they foreshadowed the parachute brilliantly: those few who would know what they were seeing recognized that the seat Tachibana installed was a German one, one which had an ejection seat, because Japan had never built one.
I caught that, too. (To be fair, it literally says "Achtung" on the bulkhead the seat is attached to.)
Yep, even if you can't read German, the fact that there's German writing specifically on the seat and Tachibana is seen taking notice of it was a stellar hint. Ejection seats (in their "modern" iteration, as we think of them) were developed by Germany (and Sweden) during WWII, so it's a very appropriate "historical what-if".
That was one of the most thoughtful, original, and intelligent breakdowns of the film I've heard. And you've locked onto the core messages and themes of the movie precisely, expressing them so gracefully. You guys are something special. I'm subbing and looking forward to seeing your takes on other films of this caliber and depth! Cheers!
Fun fact! :
The actor for Shikisima is the Voice of Taki in "Your Name" (male lead)!!!
I saw this in IMAX, and it was a whole other experience. The scale, sound, and size of Godzilla, especially the opening scene, was so terrifying. My brain actually thought the monster was going to step on me. MASSIVE adrenaline rush like the best Universal Studios ride ever. It's now my favorite not just because of the IMAX screening, but I actually cared about the human characters when they are usually footnotes in the story. It was an incredible time at the movies. Watch as a double feature with Oppenheimer for one hell of a ride.
The authenticity of this film and it emotions really blew me away. "...my war isn't over" was probably the only thing he could have said to stop his crewmate from beating the snot out of him, but he understood, even in his drunken and unreasonable state. Amazing stuff.
As someone who's living in a country, that is in w_r, it's certainly hard to watch this movie since you literally understand the main protagonist and his struggles like guilt for surviving
Each day you question yourself whether you can live through it or not, you literally have so much stuff to live through without any breaks
This feeling is crushing you all the time
Thank you for this important video, Cinema Therapy 🙏🏻
The man whose "duty" was to die was there to save everyone in the end because he chose to live. You should also see how our beloved engineer's speech about how Japan treated it's people as disposable for too long and it was now everyone's duty to live played into Koichi's battle against his guilt and feelings of failure.
22:00 Certainly not a cheat ^^ I'm from Germany, and when we watched the movie, we grinned at the whole drama of him potentially sacrificing himself, because when we saw the plane, we could read the thick fat lettering on the seat that said "Schleudersitz" - ejection seat ;D
And my boyfriend even had to laugh when I reminded him "They never said it out loud. Everyone else outside of German-Speaking folks think he's dead at this point." XD
I saw the German on the seat, and I knew what it signified even thought I can't read it. But I was honestly unsure if I could trust the director not to twist the knife again and just make it a tragic movie.
One part i liked was the fist scene with tachibana showing the bomb rig on the plane, beeing a huge plane nerd i instantly picked up what was going to happen when the seat had german lettering
...well, it does say "Achtung!" right on it...
11:17 Damn........ I really needed to hear that.
I've been undergoing training to become a mental health therapist and some days I have intense impostor syndrome, like I'm not helping anyone. Hearing the emphasis on empathy and human connection really fed my soul.
Telling the studio execs “If you don’t have humanity, invest in people who do” is an A+ quote. And very apt these days. They all think there’s some kind of numerical data they can analyze for what will make something a hit. No. It’s just human stories. We like movies and tv shows because they’re stories, not because they’re a product.
I think this Godzilla is one of the best Macguffins I've seen in cinema. I love how it drives the character's development and the relationships he has with the people around him. The balance between threat and perceived responsibility is really nicely tuned.
Noriko surviving was probably my favorite ass-pull of any movie
Wait, they let her character survive ?!
@jean-bastienjoly5962 Yeah, the neighbor auntie receives a telegram from her, and she takes it to Koichi when he gets back ashore from the battle and he rushes himself and Akiko to the hospital in Tokyo. She's got the arm cast, the eye bandage, the whole nine yards.
I can generally predict most twists in movies anymore but yes!! Noriko surviving and giving a lead into a possible sequel was the first twist of "Ah they lived!!" and truly got me good
@@discount_doom_slayer117 YEEESSSSSS!
She's likely infected by Godzilla's regenerating DNA implied by the "radioactive materials" found at the scene and the black bruise looking thing growing up her neck.
I cried so many times watching what Koichi is going through.. even though I never have PTSD or trauma ...
Sometimes I also ask "Why am I still alive instead of..." when someone I knew pass away.. and most relatable is the feeling of "I'm not worthy of her" and "She'll be miserable if we are together"..
I've been a Godzilla fan since I was in diapers. I enjoy the Legendary pictures, but this movie had me in pieces. And the two moments that in any other movie would have taken so the gravitas away - Koichi ejecting from the plane, and Noriko surviving in the hospital - were the moments that made me weep. The fact that he finally learned to forgive himself, and the fact that after it had taken everything from him, the world finally gave something back.
Even the clip of the final plane scene here, without all the buildup, was enough to get me crying.
I knew there was going to be some twist with Tachibana, but I had guessed that he would reveal to Shikishima on the runway, once it was too late to turn back, that he had removed the bombs so trying to kamikaze wouldn't accomplish anything.
The movie's twist is so much better because it doesn't take away Shikishima's agency. It's his choice as to whether or not he pulls the ejection switch, he gets to choose to live.
The ejector seat is also specifically important, as during the citizen's response meeting it's brought up that the government never installed ejector seats. Tachibana goes out of his way to install this non-standard system because he wasn't just an airplane mechanic, he was a kamikaze mechanic. Shikishima gets to be the one he saves, the one he doesn't send to their death.
Saw this movie for the first time a couple weeks ago. It's the first time I've ever cried in a monster movie. What a great film!
My personal favorite Godzilla movies are definetly the ones that carry some sort of heavy cultural importance and historical significance to Japan, those being Minus One's representation of Imperial Japan's treatment of life, Shin Godzilla's representation of the Government's response to disasters and in particular Fukushima, and the original's representation of the whole world's hunger for more nuclear and general life threatening powers. I love of the Kaiju stuff as well, but man when you have so many layers to just one film it just makes the entire experience all the better.
(Also I'm sure I haven't mentioned every Godzilla film with that type of message, those are just the ones I've watched)
"Stop checking boxes and start telling stories." I love that, and agree with it so much! Also, I loved this movie. Definitely one of my favorite from last year
When I watched this movie, the ending made me think of how my now husband changed my life through telling me that using an eject button isn’t cheating, it’s just valuing yourself over beliefs that don’t save you. That hit me hard.
Not to mention how exhuberent I was that the big moment at the end was not that he sacrificed himself for mankind, but that he chose to live.
Kamiki (Koichi) is such a great actor. I loved him in the live action Rurouni Kenshin movies.
Impeccable timing as always, Cinema Therapy. I’m writing a character that’s going through similar trauma as Kōichi: trauma from her past, from her job, and now survivor’s guilt. The timing simply couldn’t have been better and I can only hope to write a story that’s 10% as good as Minus One. Thanks again and y’all have a lovely day!
I went into this movie with zero idea what to expect--my friends wanted to see it and I was like "yeah sure why not"
I was absolutely blown away, did not expect at all to FEEL so much. I was fully expecting a big loud action monster movie, not a beautiful examination of love, loss, the devastation of war, the trauma that comes after, and the fight to rebuild. It was so refreshing to see Godzilla return to his roots as a powerful metaphor for true, real horrors.
At the end, whenever Tachibana says "Live", it gets me every time.