Godzilla needs no introduction. First brought into the world in 1954, born from the lingering fears of atomic warfare post WWII, the King of Monsters returned to screens in Godzilla Minus One, written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki. Initially written in the immediate post-COVID era -- a time of similar unrest and strength -- Godzilla Minus One revisits postwar Japan with a fresh, poignant perspective that is as brutal as it is tender. Despite its two-hour runtime, Godzilla Minus One never outstays its welcome. It maintains consistent momentum at a careful rhythm, balancing mass-scale destruction with intimate human drama and subtle humor. All of which is bolstered by a magnificent human cast and a breathtaking and terrifying take on the legendary monster.