Voronwe's Pacific Rim Review: Seid ihr das Essen? Nein, wir sind der Jäeger!

Pacific Rim

Directed by Guillermo Del Toro.

Rated PG in Canada, 12A in the United Kingdom, and PG-13 in the United States, for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence throughout, and brief language.

I feel the need to preface this review with a confession about myself: I am hard-wired to nitpick.

It's not something I'm always proud of. There are many works of cinema, literature, and games that I really want to love and go nuts over, but so often there are just those nagging issues within that prevent me from enjoying them as much as I want to. Minor things like an inconsistency in sci-fi technology, an underdeveloped character, a poorly choreographed action sequence, a cheesy romance; issues that to many moviegoers, do not and should not matter. 

'Tis a far better thing, in my view, to accentuate the positive. There are flawed works with so much good in them; and alas, my mind forces me to feel those nagging flaws even as I talk about the wondrous aspects.

Why can't I be like a little child again? My heart filled with youthful, boyish wonder at the sight of a mighty dragon, a giant robot, a well-choreographed sword fight, a funny or just plain likeable character -- the simple joy of being wrapped up in a story that has some issues, yes, but remains brimming with heart, excitement, and that unidentifiable "awesomeness factor".

Pacific Rim is the movie that freed me from my curse.

On the surface, there are some logical fallacies and pacing issues, but I simply can't bring myself to care when all that sticks out in my mind are the surprisingly likeable, if stock, characters, and the epic scale of the action and story.

The story begins with a lengthy backstory describing how the giant monsters we named Kaiju (japanese for monster) suddenly emerged from a dimensional rift in the Pacific ocean, subsequently spreading mass destruction, and prompting the people of earth to build giant mechs called Jaeger (german for "hunter") to fight them off before they destroy us all.

After a stunning and emotionally involving opening battle that I won't spoil, the film spends much time focusing on the characters and minutia involved in the Jaeger program, with very little action for the first third. This lull didn't bother me much, as despite the fact that the characters *are* somewhat generic (the haggard commander, the young hero, his love interest and co-pilot, the wacky scientists) they were nevertheless incredibly likeable and well-written. The character of Mako Mori (played by Rinko Kikuchi) in particular had a fascinating backstory, and was well-worth the time they devoted to it.

I would also like to comment on the romance aspect of this film, and how well it was handled. Where most action films like this would use it merely as a token aspect of the film, replete with cheesiness and far too much physical interaction between the two characters, here, it is carried mainly through their learning from each other and sharing their memories as they battle the Kaiju together. In a big departure from most Hollywood romances, they don't even kiss. The only major physical display of affection is a single hug.

Well… there was also that scene where they engaged in an intense bout of hand-to-hand combat… Even so!

Of, course, none of these are the main reason most people, myself included, saw the film. The real draw is seeing giant monsters fighting giant robots, and when the movie gets there, it does not disappoint.

The action scenes are enormously impressive in scale, very tense, very creative, and overall, I could not have asked for much more out of them. They do get (surprise) rather violent, and I can definitely empathize with people who will avoid the movie because of it. They are nevertheless very, very impressive, and true to the kind of action to be expected of the mecha animes that clearly inspired it.

It's not for everyone, and it won't be taking home any oscars, but for anyone that loves a well-written action-sci-fi film with likeable characters and an epic scale should give it a watch.

Anything that can get me to stop nitpicking for two-hours is well worth celebrating.

"Seid ihr das Essen? Nein, wir sind der Jäeger!" 
("Are we the prey? No, we are the hunters!")

BBC Sherlock

I've been putting off writing this review because when I write reviews about things that I really love, it feels like I'm just fangirling about the chosen subject for several paragraphs.
However, I am now going to attempt to write a decent review of this show without geeking out on you all (too much).

I first discovered Sherlock in January of 2011, just a few months after the first series aired. At that point, I was already a big Sherlock Holmes fan from reading the books, but had been greatly disappointed with the only on-screen adaption I had seen thus far, that being the 2009 movie starring Robert Downey Jr. (I will be going further into that in another review).
I was instantly intrigued by the idea of a present day adaption and watched all three of the episodes in the first series. I loved it.

The casting was perfect, the character portrayal was very well done and tweaked just the right amount to fit into the modern setting, and even though every episode was based on one or more stories from the original canon, the plots were cleverly done and changed enough to make it as much of a mystery for old Holmesians and new watchers alike.
Holmes and Watson are wonderfully acted by Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. They have great chemistry onscreen and it's a pleasure to watch them play out the famous friendship and partnership between their characters.

As far as ratings and age appropriateness go, it is rated 14A and I suggest keeping to that rating.
Several characters are shown using various weapons. There is some language, smoking, and references to drug use. There are also some scenes in episode one of series two that have suggestive content, and episode two of that same series has some scenes that could be frightening for younger children.

I honestly could say so much about this fantastic show, but I think it's best to let Sherlock speak for itself. I don't want to give away any spoilers.
As a whole, the show is brilliantly done and I highly recommend it to anyone.