One of the most infamous creatures in movie history is back in “Godzilla Minus One,” the 37th film in the franchise that dates back to the 1950s.

The latest entry may be one of the best yet, combining a fantastic mix of chaos and mayhem with some stirring human elements that give it unexpected depth and heart. It’s the film that Hollywood has been trying to capture for years, and have mostly failed.

“Godzilla” takes place near the end of World War II with kamikaze pilot Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki) landing on Odo Island with mechanical issues. When the island is attacked by Godzilla, Shikishima freezes up in a critical moment, unable to save nearly everyone else on the island from the creature’s wrath.

The guilt from the incident weighs heavily on the pilot, who returns to Tokyo working as a minesweeper. Shikishima takes in a young woman named Noriko Ōishi (Minami Hamabe) and an orphaned infant named Akiko, who Ōishi rescued.

The three form a makeshift family trying to start a new life after the devastation of the war, but just as things start to return to normal Godzilla returns — a more dangerous version of the creature encountered on Odo Island with nuclear tests conducted by the United States causing Godzilla to mutate into a seemingly indestructible force.

One of the problems with Godzilla films, particularly American versions, has been the decision to go story heavy with only flashes of the monster (sometimes keeping the monster hidden for almost the entire film). Writer/director Takashi Yamazaki never falls for that trap in “Minus One” with the creature as much a part of the story as the human element.

There are some wonderful scenes of destruction and Godzilla doing what fans expect, wrecking havoc. The sequences are spectacular with well-crafted special effects that really bring the creature to life.

Just watching Godzilla be Godzilla is enough to make the film work, but what takes this film to another level is the way the audience really feels the aftermath of the devastation — the toll it takes on the human characters, especially the two leads.

It’s that unexpected human element, with some fun, well-developed supporting characters thrown in, that takes this Godzilla to another level. Sure, you have seen the monster before but this is Godzilla at his very best — a fun action film that also has a compelling story to be more than just chaos. 

Starring: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe

Directed by: Takashi Yamazaki

Rating: PG-13 for creature violence and action

Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)

Grade: A-