Cinematic Point Of View

There is so much that I love about “Godzilla Minus One.” It moves me deeply as a cinematic experience. Part of that is made possible due to its incredible musical score. I have been listening to it constantly since the film was released in December 2023.

Composed by Naoki Satō, a long time collaborator of director Takashi Yamazaki, the original soundtrack for “Godzilla Minus One” is a haunting managery of modern sounds and classical suites. I love it so much I ordered a copy on CD from Japan. I don’t remember the last time I actually bought a CD.

There are 17 tracks on the album, each one with names that underscore the emotional elements of their scene, such as Fear,” “Portent,” and “Confusion.”

The winding, building energy and terror of “Fear” and the far away, rising drone of the air raid siren that grows and grows on the track “Confusion.” It really gets into your head during the film. It’s just as powerful as stand-alone music.

Songs slowly build from a whisper to a roar. And pulse. And cry. And leave you lost and wandering amongst the utter devastation of the sonic soundscape.

There is a real feeling of impending doom.

The classic Godzilla Suite is played three different times in the film. Each rendention carries its own energy as well. Man, when that song kicks in during the 3rd act, it hits hard.

There is one song in the movie that really stands out for me but did not make it on to the soundtrack for some reason. It’s an acoustic guitar track that plays during the montage where Noriko and Koichi start to rebuild their lives. It’s the most uplifting and cathartic track in the entire film. I put it on sometimes and feel a little lift during the day.

Someone ripped the track from a copy of the film and uploaded it to YouTube. I’ve embedded it just above this paragraph. If anyone reading this has any information about this track, please leave me a comment. I really wish they would release it officially.

I would also love to hear what you thought about the soundtrack. Like the film itself, I think this score is a masterpiece.