The monstrous Godzilla has become one of the most iconic film characters of all time. With his first appearance going all the way back to 1954, he is still a big presence in films as both the intimidating and destructive creature as well as something of a hero.
Godzilla's most recent big-screen appearance was in the summer blockbuster Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The sequel to 2014's Godzilla found the world still coming to terms with the creature's existence as new ancient monsters known as Titans begin to rise. If you didn't have a chance to see his latest adventure, here is a rundown of the biggest spoilers from Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
The "Orca" Is Used To Control The Titans
With the world now aware that these Titans exist, they are searching for ways to protect themselves from further attacks or, better yet, control the monsters. The latter is achieved by scientist Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga) using a device called the Orca.
The Orca emits a solar signal that is used to alter the behavior of the Titans and communicate with them. Not surprisingly, this becomes a very coveted device, and eco-terrorists, liked by Alan Jonah (Charles Dance) storm Emma's facility to claim it.
Mark Russell's Son Was Killed During Godzilla's First Battle
While Godzilla is the real hero of the story, the human hero is Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler). Mark is the estranged husband of Emma Russell and a former scientist with Monarch, the organization that tracks these monsters.
Mark quit his work following Godzilla's monster battle from the first film in which his son was killed. Mark now harbors a hatred for Godzilla but agrees to help Monarch when he learns Emma and their daughter Madison (Millie Bobby Brown) have been captured.
Emma Russell Is Working With The Bad Guys
Initially, it appears as though Jonah and his men have captured Emma and her daughter so they can use her to activate the Orca device. However, when Mark and the Monarch team manage to track Jonah down, it is revealed Emma is actually working with them.
She hired Jonah to steal the Monarch to carry out her plan of cleansing the world. She sees the Titans as saviors who will heal the Earth from all the damage humans have done to it with climate change and war.
King Ghidorah Awakens The Other Titans
The first Titan Emma plans to release is the three-headed giant flying beast that is only known as Monster Zero as it was the first one discovered. However, it is later revealed through ancient texts that the monster is King Ghidorah, a fan-favorite creature from the old Godzilla films.
Once awaken, Ghidorah proves itself to be the strongest of the monsters, even defeating Godzilla in a fight. It then uses its powers to awaken the other Titans and Rodan, the flying monster submits to it as its king.
Godzilla Is Revived With A Nuclear Bomb
Godzilla finally joins the fight when Ghidorah and Rodan are destroying Mexico City. As he and Ghidorah engage in another destructive battle, the military sends in a bomb that has little effect on Ghidorah but severally hurts Godzilla.
The Monarch team finds Godzilla recovering in an underwater cave. Realizing he is their only hope to stop Ghidorah, they decide to rejuvenate him using a nuclear warhead. Dr. Ishirō Serizawa (Ken Watanabe) sacrifices himself to detonate the bomb and get Godzilla back in fighting shape.
Mothra Is Killed In Battle
One of the most interesting aspects of the film is the fact that Godzilla and the monster Mothra appear to have some connection. During the final battle, Mothra even teams up with Godzilla to take on Ghidorah and Rodan.
Mothra manages to kill Rodan during the fight but is badly injured. As Godzilla is being beaten by Ghidorah, Mothra sacrifices herself to save him in a touching moment between the two monsters.
Emma Sacrifices Herself
It seems like Emma didn't think through her plan of using giant monsters to heal the world. As she sees all the damage they are doing, she suddenly realizes she has had a huge mistake and attempts to redeem herself.
Emma steals the Orca device and uses it to draw Ghidorah away from her family and give Godzilla time to get back on his feet. She is killed by Ghidorah but not before seeing Godzilla make his final charge as she says "Long live the king."
Godzilla Kills Ghidorah And Becomes King
Though Ghidorah proves to be a powerful opponent who got the best of Godzilla several times throughout the movie, Godzilla proves why he is the most fearsome of all the Titans. After a long and brutal battle, Godzilla finally triumphs and kills Ghidorah.
As a result, all the other Titans come to Godzilla to pay their respects and name him as their king. The film ends with the world filled with monsters and Godzilla as the leader of them all.
Terrorists Acquire Ghidorah's Severed Head
As is the trend these days, this movie leaves fans with a little tease of what's to come. The post-credit scene finds Jonah and his men back in Mexico City where the Titans previously fought.
During that fight, Godzilla managed to rip off one of Ghidorah's three heads which the creature then grew back. In the scene, Jonah is meeting with some associates to buy the severed head. It's unclear what they want to do with it, but it can't be good.
Kong Is Teased
While a third Godzilla film has not been confirmed yet, the famous monster will be returning for perhaps his biggest battle yet. Godzilla vs. Kong is set to be released next year and will bring these two iconic monsters against each other in an epic battle.
The credits seem to be setting up the confrontation as we see reports of the various Titans from around the world presumably heading towards Skull Island. It is also noted that Kong was the only Titan not to pay respect to Godzilla as king.