Giant
robot movies have really taken to scale on what they can become today in film. “Transformers,”
while a terrible film series, did prove the fact that making films about giant
robots IS possible. It just depends on how you can do them in a way that
actually works, and isn’t complete and total bull with people on the internet
in a complete raging war about it. What people want isn’t just to have robots
fights, after going through two hours of annoying and undeveloped characters;
what they want is a story with actual context, three dimensional characters,
and robot fights that aren’t so damn close, so you can tell what’s going on.
Well good news, the director of “Hellboy,” Guillermo Del Toro, has answered
your prayers with “Pacific Rim.”
The
film is set in a future, not too far from our own, where kaiju from an
alternate world rift in the ocean have come to destroy the world. While they
manage to take a couple down with tanks and planes, they double down and
created the Jaegers, which are giant fighting robots. Cut to years later, where
we meet our main character, Raleigh Becket, whose re-recruited back into the
fight, after five years. With him back in the battle, it leaves the military
with a better chance of defense, and more time from them to find a way to
destroy the rift and finally stop this neverending cycle of chaos. Much like
most of Guillermo Del Toro movies, this epic masterpiece is just a love-letter
to film making in general. And most importantly, unlike “Transformers,” it has very
likable characters, a very enjoyable story, and action scenes that actually
have scale and weight to it.
Charlie
Hunnam from “Sons of Anarchy” plays Raleigh, and he really does a great job
through the film. He may be the clichéd hero who is determined to do what it
takes, but gives the character a great charm to him, much like in every
Guillermo Del Toro movie. Rinko Kikuchi takes on the role of Mako Mori, and she’s
all kinds of badass in this movie. She did a great job in this role, and
throughout you can see in her expression that she’s be through tons of hell.
Idris Elba plays Marshal Stacker Pentecost, which is the role of the stern
military leader who wants things done by the book. However, unlike most
versions of this cliché, Stacker actually has a purpose for most of his
decisions, especially with his backstory with Mori. I don’t want to give away
what it is, but when you see it, things will come clear.
Charlie
Day and Burn Gorman play Newt and Hermann, two scientists who have been
studying the Kaiju for years now. They may be the comic reliefs in this film,
but it comes from their own quirky attitudes and determination, especially with
Charlie Day. Sure, it may seem like he’s just playing Charlie from “It’s Always
Sunny in Philadelphia,” but here he’s given much more depth and personality,
other than just being a crazy nut with smarts. And with it being Guillermo Del
Toro, you can always count on Ron Perlman being in the film. He does a great
job, playing a black-market dealer, and his scenes interacting with Day is just
hilarious. He alone is worth the price of admission, and it’s worth every
penny.
Now let’s
talk about the main purpose for the movie, the action scenes. Holy crap, these
are some of the most spectacular special effects and fight scenes ever captured
on film. This is what everything good about giant robots and giant monster
battles should be like. This is Guillermo Del Toro’s love-letter to the otaku
in all of us who grew up watching giant-mecha anime like “Voltron,” “Robotech,”
and any Gundam series you can think of. Top it all off with a kick-ass
soundtrack, and you’ve got one amazing film that will be worth remembering for
a long time.
Overall,
“Pacific Rim” is one of my favorite movies of the year, and I’m hoping
this film makes its money so it can let Mr. Del Toro make a sequel to both this
and “Hellboy!” One more thing, feel free to see the film in 3D, because it is
WELL worth it!
Rating: 10/10
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