Godzilla Minus One: A “Monster” of a Movie!

I was only six years old when the first Godzilla movie was released, and there have been numerous Godzilla films since then.  I think "Godzilla Minus One" compares favorably with all-time monster classics such as "King Kong" and "Jaws."  However, this film is not just a monster movie.  It's a film about redemption, forgiveness, love, friendship, courage, and community.  I even got misty at the end.  The Godzilla scenes are terrific and the CGI is wonderful, but, impressive as Godzilla is, he takes a back seat (not that he can get into one) to the main characters. The film takes place in 1946, shortly after Japan has sulfured a humiliating defeat in WWII.  (The film is Japanese, so it has sub-titles.)  Koichi (Ryunosuke Kamiki) is a failed kamikaze pilot.  He chickened out on his suicidal mission and made up an excuse that his plane had mechanical problems, so that's why he didn't crash his plane into a destroyer.  He has landed on Ono Island.  Godzilla comes out of the water and starts wreaking havoc and killing all the mechanics. Koichi leaves and winds up in Ginzo, a town near Tokyo.  Ginzo is in ruins, and many citizens formerly living there have died.  Koichi winds up living with a woman named Noriko (Miriami Hamabe) and an adopted infant, although they aren't lovers.  Koichi is guilt-ridden and doesn't think he deserves to have a fulfilling and happy life.  He takes a dangerous job, de-arming mines in the Pacific, near the coast.  He befriends the Captain and former weapons engineer, Kenji (Hidetaka Yoshioka). I won't say any more about the plot, but it has depth and is emotionally-compelling and intense.  The screenplay is excellent, as is the acting from the three human leads.  (Godzilla does a fine acting job, too, but his performance doesn't quite have the subtlety to deserve an AA!)  The Writer/Director (Takashi Yamazaki) has done a fantastic job.  Call me crazy, but I think it is not only my favorite film of the year so far, but also the best picture of the year!  It's AAW and a MUST-SEE!  Any of the three leads could easily be nominated for an AA. It needs to be seen on the BS for the Godzilla scenes, which are exceptional, too!