As a longtime Godzilla fan, there were many, many different films to choose from when considering my favorite.
Despite this, after watching Godzilla Minus One for the first time, I knew I had watched something special.
Not only did it make Godzilla terrifying for the first time since Shin Godzilla, but it also had fantastic characters and themes, which tied together to create an emotional ending that had me tearing up.
The movie even won the Best Visual Effects Oscar because of how great the CGI was, despite a lower budget compared to other films.
With so many positives about this movie, I was naturally excited about the sequel, Godzilla Minus Zero.
That being said, I was also nervous because, even though Minus One did lay the groundwork for a follow-up, I was worried that the sequel, if done wrong, might tarnish the legacy of the original.
Thankfully, it turned out I had no reason to worry.

 Set two years after Godzilla’s “death,” Japan is under attack from a new monster (whose name I will not say because I do not want to ruin the surprise). 
Now living a peaceful life, Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki) returns to face this new threat, along with his old friend Kenji Noda (Hidetaka Yoshioka), renowned biologist Kanji Marukami (Min Tanaka), and brilliant meteorologist Makoto Aoyama (Masami Nagasawa).
However, the situation becomes more complicated with the return of Godzilla, and the revelation that Shikishima’s wife Noriko (Minami Hamabe) may be the key to defeating this new monster.
Notice how Godzilla feels pretty secondary to this plot synopsis?
Well, that is because he plays second fiddle to the monster he fights in this movie.
Godzilla does not appear until at least halfway through the film, and I would honestly be surprised if he had more than ten minutes of screen time.
I can see this being an issue for many viewers, even if the character drama is compelling enough to carry the film.

Another issue is the pacing, which does feel a little slow at times.
And then there are the English-speaking characters who feel quite stiff in their performances.
It is nowhere near as bad as the Squid Game English-speaking actors, so at least there is that.
Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Minus Zero.
Everyone in the cast does a great job with my favorites surprisingly being Sae Nagatani as the Shikishima’s daughter Akiko, and Min Tanaka as Murakami.
Murakami may be a newcomer to the Minus storyline, but his tragic backstory, haunting plans, and final choice tie into the themes of this movie probably better than any other character. 

As for the action surrounding these characters and monsters, it is once again stellar.
Minus One was very impressive for how much it achieved with such a small budget and Minus Zero continues this tradition, with great effects on a 13-million-dollar budget.
It would not surprise me if it got nominated for best effects at the Academy Awards again, and maybe Best International Film if the studio actually submits it for that category this time.
The film has certainly earned a mention, what with its continuation of the themes from Minus One, showing the horrors of war through these giant monsters.

The score accompanying the monsters is fantastic as well, with the theme for the new monster doing a great job at inspiring feelings of dread.
It is a dread you feel whenever this creature is on screen, and it makes for a great fight at the end when it finally faces off against Godzilla.
As for the ending, it is once again moving, and it will get the phrase “Have a safe trip” stuck in your head for the saddest of reasons. 

All in all, Godzilla Minus Zero is a great follow-up to the 2023 film.
I still prefer Minus One, due to the camaraderie between its characters, all leading to the tear inducing conclusion.
But Minus Zero is still a good time with excellent character drama, a solid continuation of the themes, and horrifying monster action, even if Godzilla is missing for a large part of the movie at first.
I look forward to seeing a third installment.
What would they even call it?
Minus Negative-One?  
Yeah, it’s a good thing I’m not in charge of titles.