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.
("Are we the prey? No, we are the hunters!")
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