Godzilla movies have long had a problem: What do you do after the initial thrill of a quote/unquote _serious _Godzilla origin story? Can the filmmakers somehow continue the deep thematic underpinnings of that first adventure, even while upping the visual ante with more giant monster action? How do you offer a probing commentary about the world we live in – which is what the best of the genre is known for – when you’ve got skyscraper-sized lizards slugging it out MMA-style?
It is under these circumstances – or should I say restrictions? – that [Godzilla Minus Zero](https://www.ign.com/articles/godzilla-minus-zero-review) enters the ring. As the sequel to the much-praised [Godzilla Minus One](https://www.ign.com/articles/godzilla-minus-one-review) from three years ago – a picture that dealt with, among other things, notions of survivor’s guilt, hope in the face of hopelessness, found family, and more – Minus Zero is on the ropes from the start. Can returning writer-director Takashi Yamazaki wring even more out of his characters, who have already been to hell and back, while also blowin’ up stuff real good? In a word, no.
Watch the video for our full review!