A lot of people will cry foul when their favorite movie ends as a cliffhanger or without proper explanation of what happened to who, what, or why. People will actually stand up and leave movie theaters in a huff if their favorite movies end in a way contrary to what they believe is right. What they don’t realize is that despite their need for closure, they just got it in the most spectacular way. The story goes on in the movie world, but we’re given a most satisfying ending that we should be more than okay with.
The ending we receive in movies and the ending we want are often very different. Here are five examples of movies where the endings were well more satisfying than popular belief let on.
5. Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Ark of the Covenant is simply too powerful for any one person, or even a government to possess. Shelving it in a warehouse behind a long, complicated number is hardly the way to keep it hidden, but it is a start. Plus, it makes you really wonder what else is in the other crates that you see in this place, and how many treasured and possibly powerful artifacts are being kept away from the wrong hands, including our own governments. It’s not perfect, but it seems satisfactory.
4. Goodfellas
The bad guys can’t always win. Henry Hill ratted his friends and his crew out not just to keep from going to jail, but also, and admittedly, because he knew that they would sacrifice him if they had the chance. Before his passing he gave his story to whomever would listen, and considering that he’s the last guy alive from that crew it’s his word that we have to go on that this is what happened and this is how it happened. Hill did what he had to and got his reward for a life of crime, that seems pretty satisfying.
3. Scarface
Mad dogs need to be put down at times. Tony Montana was one of the worst, largely because he thought he could do no wrong, and that the world still needed him. Granted, there was no real good guy in this film and there wasn’t meant to be. But out of all of them Montana was the guy that needed a bullet the most. That and the manner in which he died is what made this ending so satisfying.
2. The Godfather
Michael takes his rightful place, and you can see in Kate’s eyes that she knows that life is about to get seriously messed up. Even his words to her concerning Carlo’s unfortunate death, a lie with every breath, are not enough to take the look of dread from her features. She’s already guessing that despite the death of his father and his calm manner, Michael is bound to be the most ruthless of the Corleone clan.
1. The Dark Knight Rises
So Alfred got his wish. He got to see Bruce one more time, give him that simple nod of the head, and go on his way. There’s a new superhero waiting to be revealed in Gotham, and order has been restored. At least until Bruce gets bored and finds his way back to the city and the nightlife again.
See? There was a way to find all of these endings satisfying. Sometimes you just have to change your perspective.
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