Godzilla Minus One 2023 Parents Guide

Godzilla Minus One, the 2023 Japanese kaiju film, directed and written by Takashi Yamazaki, marks the 37th installment in the Godzilla franchise. Produced by Toho Studios and Robot, the film stars Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, and Kuranosuke Sasaki. Set in postwar Japan, the storyline revolves around the emergence of Godzilla.

Yamazaki, known for “The Great War of Archimedes” (2019), penned the script over three years, drawing inspiration from the original 1954 Godzilla film and “Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack” (2001). This film marks Yamazaki’s third on-screen depiction of Godzilla, following CGI use in “Always: Sunset on Third Street 2” (2007) and “Godzilla the Ride” (2021) at Seibu-en Amusement Park.

Filming took place in Kantō and Chūbu from March to June 2022, with Shirogumi handling visual effects from April 2022 to May 2023.

“Godzilla Minus One” premiered at the Shinjuku Toho Building on October 18, 2023, closing the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival on November 1, 2023. Toho theatrically released it in Japan on November 3, coinciding with the original 1954 film’s release, celebrating the franchise’s 70th anniversary. The film, grossing ¥1 billion, garnered critical acclaim in Japan, being hailed as one of the best Godzilla films. Toho International plans to distribute it in the United States and Canada on December 1.

Godzilla Minus One Movie Details

Plot Summary: Godzilla Regeneration

In 1945, at the close of World War II, Kōichi Shikishima, a kamikaze pilot, survives a Godzilla attack on Odo Island by feigning technical issues. Godzilla’s rampage claims everyone except Kōichi and mechanic Sōsaku Tachibana.

Fast forward two years, Kōichi, now grappling with survivor’s guilt, is in Tokyo with Noriko Ōishi, having adopted a child orphaned in the WWII Tokyo bombing. Godzilla mutates due to U.S. nuclear tests and targets Japan, with the U.S. unwilling to help amid Cold War tensions.

Kōichi, on a minesweeper, meets scientist Kenji Noda. Their attempt to stop Godzilla fails; the creature regenerates. Godzilla decimates Tokyo, seemingly killing Noriko. Kōichi and Noriko share their feelings as Godzilla prepares to obliterate ships.

Kenji proposes a plan, rejected by the government. Kōichi, with Sōsaku, plans to fly into Godzilla’s mouth for internal destruction. Simultaneously, Kenji aims to sink Godzilla to 1,500 meters, using balloons for explosive decompression if the plan falters.

Godzilla survives at 1,500 meters. Balloons lift him to 800 meters, but he breaks free. Ships struggle to haul him up; a fleet of tugboats finally surfaces Godzilla, injuring but not killing him. Enraged, Godzilla targets the ships.

In a daring move, Kōichi crashes his plane into Godzilla’s mouth, destroying him from within. The fleet narrowly escapes, and Kōichi reunites with Noriko at the hospital. Meanwhile, a piece of Godzilla’s flesh regenerates on the ocean floor, hinting at potential future havoc.

Godzilla Minus One 2023 Parents Guide

Why is Godzilla Minus One rated PG-13?

Godzilla Minus One has received a PG-13  rating from the Motion Picture Association (MPA) due to its content, which includes Creature Violence and Action, and brief drug use. This rating is a way to inform potential viewers about the film’s content and to ensure that it is appropriate for mature audiences.

Additional Information:

• The film has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association (MPA).
• The rating is due to creature violence, action, and brief drug use.

Parental Recommendation:

• The movie is generally suitable for teenagers aged 13 and above.
• Parents are advised to consider the intense action and creature violence when deciding if it’s appropriate for their children.

As always, parental discretion is advised, and individual sensitivities may vary. It’s recommended that parents review the specific content mentioned in the parental guide and determine its suitability for their children based on their maturity and comfort levels with the described content.

Who is in the cast of Godzilla Minus One?

•  Ryunosuke Kamiki as Kōichi Shikishima
• Minami Hamabe as Noriko Ōishi
• Yuki Yamada as Shirō Mizushima
• Munetaka Aoki as Sōsaku Tachibana
• Hidetaka Yoshioka as Kenji Noda
• Sakura Ando as Sumiko Ōta
• Kuranosuke Sasaki as Yōji Akitsu

Summary:

• Title: Godzilla Minus One
• Director/Writer: Takashi Yamazaki
• Producers: Minami Ichikawa, Kazuaki Kishida, Keiichiro Moriya, Kenji Yamada
• Release Date: Dec 1, 2023 (Wide)
• Runtime: 2h 5m
• Distributor: Toho International [US]
• Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos
• Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1
• Rating: PG-13 (Creature Violence, Action, brief drug use)
• Genre: Sci-fi, Action, Adventure
• Language: Japanese
• Plot: Survivor copes with Godzilla’s post-WWII emergence in Japan.
• Cast: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, Kuranosuke Sasaki
• Production: 37th in Godzilla series, Toho Studios, Robot, filmed in Kantō, Chūbu.
• Premiere: Oct 18, 2023, 36th Tokyo Film Festival.
• Release: Nov 3, 2023, celebrating Godzilla’s 70th anniversary.
• Gross: ¥1 billion, critical acclaim in Japan.
• International Release: Dec 1, 2023 (US, Canada).