Godzilla Minus One – BLU-RAY editions

As a movie enthusiast who’s seen his fair share of Godzilla films over the past couple of decades, I must say that Godzilla Minus One stands out as a unique and powerful addition to the franchise. Having grown up in the post-war era and being deeply moved by the stories of Japan’s history, this film resonated with me on a personal level.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve been captivated by the evolution of Godzilla over the past 25 years or so, with Hollywood releasing numerous films, including Roland Emmerich’s 1998 version that grossed $379M. However, it was Warner Bros.’ monster-verse that truly took off in 2014 with Gareth Edwards’ version earning $524m, leading to the epic crossover with King Kong in 2021 that brought in $470m. The sequel of this collaboration took an astounding $571m in 2024. But let me take you back to late 2023 when Toho studios, the original creators of Godzilla, released “Godzilla Minus One”. Despite being made on a shoestring budget of just $15M – about what it costs for catering in Hollywood productions – it won an Oscar for its stunning visual effects, making history as the first non-Hollywood film to achieve this milestone.

In contrast to modern-day monster flicks, Godzilla Minus One delves into post-war Japan’s past. A survivor of the Kamikaze pilots, Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki), grapples with a sense of injustice for surviving too many close calls with death. On Odo Island, alongside other aircraft engineers, he encounters an enormous beast. The engineers perish as Shikishima fails to divert the monster’s attention, causing him immense guilt. Matters worsen when a homeless woman and her baby move into his home upon his return. Guilt-ridden, Shikishima embarks on a personal quest with a band of fellow veterans to vanquish the titan known as Godzilla. Check out our review HERE

Instead of Hollywood movies, it’s this Japanese-made version that stands out as significantly superior, delving into Japan’s post-Hiroshima era and its society grappling with the aftermath of the atomic bombing. The film is written, directed, and boasts stunning visual effects by Takashi Yanazaki. His visual effects are nothing short of remarkable, as Godzilla emerges from the ocean, wreaking havoc on the town, a sight not seen since Megan Markle was informed by the Montecito staff that Netflix no longer wanted to take her calls.

It’s a terrific version of the creature feature and is now released on blu-ray in several editions

GODZILLA MINUS ONE Deluxe Edition is housed on a rigid slipcase containing four discs:

Disc 1: The film on 4K UHD Blu-ray.
Disc 2: The film on Blu-ray.
Disc 3: GODZILLA MINUS ONE/MINUS COLOR on Blu-ray (exclusive to the Deluxe Edition!).
Disc 4: Bonus Blu-ray packed with special features, all of which are English subtitled.

This package not only contains the movie but also comes with an extensive 68-page guide. Inside, you’ll find a note from director Takashi Yamazaki, a prelude to the film, numerous promotional images, multiple interviews with crucial crew members, details about the color correction of GODZILLA MINUS ONE/MINUS COLOR, and insights into the strategies used to make this movie a global hit. The extra content on the disc includes a ‘Making Of’ segment, VFX tutorials, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, various event recordings, and a compilation of trailers for the film.

Enthusiasts of SteelBooks have an additional option to consider. Anime Limited and Toho Co., Ltd are providing a SteelBook Edition with 4K UHD + Blu-ray. This special edition for collectors comes with not one, but three discs, housed within premium packaging.

Disc 1: The film on 4K UHD Blu-ray
Disc 2: The film on Blu-ray
Disc 3: Bonus Blu-ray packed with special features, all of which are English subtitled

As a follower, I can confirm that every single disc in this set mirrors the contents, specifications, and added perks found in the Deluxe Edition. The bonus features, once more, are completely subtitled for your convenience.

In summary, if you prefer a more straightforward presentation of this historic cinematic experience, the movie can also be purchased in a Standard Edition on 4K, Blu-ray, or DVD formats.

regretfully, we didn’t receive the bonus discs, which means we can’t discuss the extras; however, the Blu-ray of the film that we do possess looks fantastic, offering both subtitled and English dubbed versions. While the dubbed version is satisfactory, we recommend sticking with the subtitled version for a more authentic experience.

Godzilla Minus One, upon its release, received critical praise and shattered numerous UK and Irish box office records, including the highest opening day for a Japanese film in over 23 years (live-action or animated). If you missed it in theaters, don’t miss your opportunity to watch it now, even though it will be on a smaller TV screen (unless you happen to own an IMAX cinema of your own). The movie is fantastic, offering both spectacle and pathos, making it a strong contender for the best Godzilla film to date.

Here’s the Godzilla Minus One blu-ray trailer here…..

2024-12-07 03:24

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