The story begins in 1999, where scientists Dr. Ishiro Serizawa (played by Ken Watanabe) and Dr. Vivienne Graham (played by Sally Hawkins) discover the skeletal remains of a massive creature in the Philippines. The creature, named MUTO (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism), appears to feed on radiation.
In the present day, Joe Brody (played by Bryan Cranston), a nuclear physicist, becomes convinced that the government is hiding information about a nuclear incident at the Janjira Nuclear Power Plant. His son, Ford Brody (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson), returns to help his father investigate. They discover that the incident was caused by the awakening of a dormant Godzilla and a MUTO.
As Godzilla and the MUTO threaten humanity, the military and scientists, including Serizawa, work to understand and contain the monsters. The narrative explores themes of environmental consequences, human arrogance, and the potential destructive power of nuclear technology.
The climax of the film takes place in San Francisco, where Godzilla confronts the MUTOs. The military attempts to destroy the monsters with nuclear warheads, but Godzilla absorbs the radiation to regain strength. In an epic battle, Godzilla defeats the MUTOs and restores balance to nature.
The film ends with Godzilla returning to the ocean, hailed as a force of nature that maintains the equilibrium between Earth and its creatures. Serizawa expresses awe and respect for Godzilla, recognizing its importance in the ecosystem.
“Godzilla” received mixed reviews from critics but was praised for its impressive visual effects, intense action sequences, and the portrayal of Godzilla as a powerful and majestic force. It set the stage for future films in the MonsterVerse franchise, which includes Godzilla and other iconic monsters like King Kong.