Decoding the Ending of Godzilla Minus One
Unravel the thrilling finale of Toho Studios' Godzilla Minus One with an in-depth breakdown Discover what critics have to say about the epic kaiju blockbuster
At the conclusion of Toho Studios’ Godzilla Minus One, numerous key events take place, drawing from the original 1954 Godzilla film. Let's delve into the details of the kaiju blockbuster’s action-packed finale.
Long-time fans may find some parts of the story familiar, while newbies and veterans alike will be surprised by other plot elements. The final act also includes a last-minute tease that may have implications for the future of the franchise. Continue reading for details on all the major developments in Godzilla Minus One's final act. Warning: Major spoilers ahead for the ending of Godzilla Minus One.
Godzilla Minus One ending explained
Godzilla Minus One ends with protagonist Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki) killing Godzilla.
After Doc (Hidetaka Yoshioka) fails to take down the King of the Monsters with his formulated plan, which involves a combination of deep-sea pressure and explosive compression, a new strategy must be devised to defeat Godzilla – a riff on the 1954 film’s “Oxygen Destroyer” weapon.
The two-pronged attack manages to wound Godzilla, but not enough to kill him. The enraged lizard attempts to seek revenge with his atomic breath, but Shikishima intervenes by crashing his plane into Godzilla's mouth. The resulting explosion obliterates Godzilla's head, seemingly killing Shikishima as well. However, it is later revealed through a flashback scene that he had ejected prior to the collision, thanks to the addition of an ejector seat by mechanic Sōsaku (Munetaka Aoki).
With Godzilla defeated, Minus One shifts to epilogue mode, leading to a heartfelt reunion between Shikishima and Noriko (Minami Hamabe), who miraculously survived her injuries during Godzilla's rampage. Their adopted daughter, Akiko (Sae Nagatani), is also present. However, the touching family moment is quickly overshadowed by Minus One's closing shot, showing a piece of Godzilla's flesh sinking and regenerating, hinting at a possible return in the future, even though Toho has not announced plans for a direct sequel at this stage.
What are critics saying about Godzilla Minus One?
It is probable that discussions have taken place among studio executives regarding a potential sequel to Godzilla Minus One, considering the positive reception from both critics and the audience. Apart from its impressive box office performance, Toho's 33rd Godzilla film has received glowing reviews. Let's take a look at what critics have to say.
After our evaluation, we rated Godzilla Minus One with 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "a carefully crafted, insightful hit that is sure to captivate both die-hard fans and casual viewers."
Richard Kuipers of Variety concurred, labeling the movie "a standout in the extensive franchise."
Katie Rife from IGN commended Godzilla Minus One for its skillful blend of genuine emotion and thrilling action, noting that the character-driven story is complemented by exciting and impactful monster scenes. Eric Francisco of Inverse also praised the film as possibly one of the greatest in the kaiju genre. Godzilla Minus One is currently showing in theaters. Keep up with all the latest Godzilla news and content on Dexerto's comprehensive coverage.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of the Godzilla franchise, I was thrilled by the ending of Godzilla Minus One. The film's final act was a thrilling rollercoaster ride that kept me on the edge of my seat. The battle between Godzilla and the human forces was intense and зрелищный, and I was particularly impressed by the way the filmmakers managed to pay homage to the original 1954 Godzilla film while still putting their own unique spin on the story.
The film's conclusion was also incredibly moving. The scene in which Kōichi Shikishima sacrifices himself to defeat Godzilla was both heartbreaking and inspiring, and it perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the Godzilla franchise. I also appreciated the way the film ended on a hopeful note, with the suggestion that Godzilla may one day return. This leaves the door open for future sequels, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for the King of the Monsters.
Overall, I thought Godzilla Minus One was a fantastic addition to the Godzilla franchise. It was a thrilling, emotional, and thought-provoking film that I would highly recommend to any fan of the genre. I can't wait to see what Toho Studios does next with the Godzilla franchise, and I'm confident that they will continue to produce high-quality films that will entertain and inspire audiences for years to come.
