Godzilla Minus One (2023)

AKA: Gojira -1.0

Might be the best Godzilla film since the original.

In postwar Japan, a kamikaze pilot encounters the kaiju at a naval base, but fails to act and is knocked unconscious. Disgraced and suffering from PTSD, he returns home to find his parents a victim of the bombings. He discovers a young woman whose parents were also killed and an orphaned baby she managed to rescue. Together, they must fight for their continued survival. 

This makeshift "family" element adds richly to the grim monster story (where the humans usually play second fiddle). The creature itself is an interesting mixture of CGI with a bit of stiltedness to its movement that feels like a throwback to old (it really relies on that heat ray, eh?). I really enjoyed the rousing adventure theme that plays triumphantly throughout the third act and lends to its epic scale. It's a triumph on all fronts.

With the massive critical and financial success of this film, it seems safe to say it's poised for a sequel. (Would that be called Godzilla Zero?)

4 minesweepers out of 5

Returner (2002)

In a desperate attempt to save humanity from an invading alien force, a young woman named Milly (Anne Suzuki) jumps back in time from the year 2084 to 2002, hoping to prevent the aliens from gaining ground before their war has a chance to even begin. Meanwhile, in 2002 a man named Miyamoto (Takeshi Kaneshiro) stages a personal war against a wicked Triad leader (Goro Kishitani). The two agendas are initially unconnected, but soon overlap.
The film is a combination of many different genres; although primarily science fiction, it has gun play, romance, action, comedy, and a few surprises thrown in for good measure. It has the feel of a multi-episode anime that's been condensed into a Toku-inspired movie. Not quite a jack of all trades, but not deserving of the second half of that phrase either, it's an entertaining fusion.

3 speed bursts out of 5

Space Battleship Yamato (2010)

A live action film based on the long-running animated series. In 2199 a Japanese Captain Birdseye sets off with the titular ship on a perilous journey of hope to save humanity from extinction, etc.
The camera has the freedom of the bridge, enabling all parts of the command process to be explored in dramatic sweeps.
The action is good most of the time, but the quieter moments, when characters are candid or forced to reveal their weaknesses for the betterment of the mission, are by far the best aspect.

3 jumps over a big piece of space out of 5