Pacific Rim Delivers an Expected Fun Experience, about Giant Robots Fighting Aliens

Pacific Rim (3 1/2 out 5 Stars)

Directed by Guillermo del Torro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy II: The Golden Army)

Written by Travis Beachum (Clash of the Titans), and Guillermo del Torro (Pan's Labyrinth)

Starring Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, and Rinko Kikuchi

I went in blind on this film, reading no trailers or reviews prior to seeing the film.  There was never even a Pacific Rim trailer in front of any of the summer blockbusters I have seen, may be why it's going to end up number two at the box office this weekend.  I knew the basic premise, and had heard about the buzz from last year's Comic Con, but never investigated.  I often like going in blind with films like this, it tends to lower expectations, and allow you to prepare for many different interesting experiences.

The film starts with the concept that most people believe that when aliens would come to Earth they would come from outer space.  In this film a portal has opened within the Pacific ocean letting the Kaiju through, and they first attack San Francisco.  The first alien is defeated but it takes, days, this process continues until human create Jeagers, which are giant robots piloted, or run by two humans.  As the the Kaiju keep hitting the Earth, the worlds leaders work toward building a wall to prevent them from attacking.  Former pilots including Stacker (Elba) Raleigh (Hunnam), and others go rogue in order to use the Jaegers for one last effort to to destroy the portal and save Earth.

What doesn't sound fun about this film?  I guess if you any form of science fiction this was never your cup of tea either way, but if you enjoy the genre and the material it resembles, you will enjoy this film.  Guillermo del Torro has one of the most creative imaginations, his film Pan's Labyrinth is still one of the best films within the 2000s.  Del Torro also brought an interestingly dark graphic novel character, Hellboy to life, which is still the best series based on a non-traditional comic book hero.  Del Torro knows how to work to create films which stretch the imagination.  Rim feels like a wink and a nod to sci-fi fans, but also a fun film.  Del Torro is a master at blending these elements within his films, and he succeeds on this effort here.

While the film is fun, do not think to deep about the plot.  The script is incredibly weak, the dialogue is bad, and there seems to be a lot of poorly constructed characters, but there is just enough character development for this to be passable.  The script and story were written by Travis Beachum whose first major "blockbuster" was the tragic remake of Clash of the Titans.  Beachum's work along side del Torro has elements of Power Rangers, Avatar, and so on, the script is lacking originality, but again as I said in my earlier review of Oblivion, what sci-fi film doesn't borrow to make the better recipe.

While the script is a bit weak, I must say props to this duo for creating one of the best action heroines within a film.  Mako Mori (Kikuchi) is a trainee with the pilots; she is also the surrogate daughter of Stacker who runs the pilot program.  Kikuchi was an Oscar nominee for the film Babel back in 2006; she lost to Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls.  In this film she is the most fully developed character, and gets to show just how great an actress she is, though her vulnerability in reliving past painful memories, but also showing her strength.  Ryan Adams stated Mako Mori is up there with Alice Ripley from the Alien film series and I have to agree; she is badass.

The rest of the cast is fine, Hunnam proves he has "leading man" quality, but he has done that for many seasons on Sons of Anarchy.  Elba proves he is so charismatic, and like when he was on The Office playing Charles there is something magnetic, which draw you to any character he plays.  There is a fun cameo from a regular player within the del Torro world, which I will not spoil.  I will say I find Charlie Day annoying in everything he does, and he doesn't change that here.  Burn Gorman who play the scientist Gottlieb has to be the most annoying character in the film, I do not understand why del Torro took the character in this direction, it felt cliche.

While the script was not perfect, and the film is not re-inventing the wheel, the action is cool, and the visual effects were some of the best I have seen.  This film should have an easy lock on a win in that category come Oscar time.  These visual effects are stunning, and feel life like.  Beyond the visual nature the film is a worth while fun experience, that should not be missed.

July Movies to See and Skip!

June was an interesting month.  Man of Steel did better than Superman Returns, which will help launch  DC comic series, but the film was more Michael Bay than quality series reboot.

The most successful films of June have been This is the End, Monster's University, and I predict The Heat will fall into this group.  End is a success because of its cost and percentage drop off each week.  Monster's is outdoing other Pixar films.  Heat is an R rated film which out did a major Rolan Emmerich film (White House Down).

How does July look, pretty boring, beyond a few films that could be plain fun!

July 4th

The Long Ranger (July 2nd) which cost a lot of money, and is from the brain of Verbinski and Bay looks like it could top White House Down as a massive flop.  I have not heard anyone clamoring to see this film, and it just looks plain awful.

Despicable Me (July 2nd) is not going to re-invent the wheel, the story is going to be cute and hilarious I expect nothing less, and the minions are just great.

The Way Way Back (Limited) is a film I have already seen (Review here: http://eternalthoughtsofkevinsmind.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-way-way-back-is-heartfelt-coming-of.html).  Jim Rash and Nat Faxon have constructed something beautiful, funny, and entertaining, go see it!

July 12th 

Pacific Rim comes from the brilliant mind of Guillermo Del Torro, and looks like it's massive visual effects could make other films look like child's play.  I am excited, but cautiously, as to to not build up the high too much.

Grown Ups 2 is missing Rob Schneider, which my friend John and I noticed while at the movies last evening.  This will not drastically alter the quality of the movie, but this movie could be in a lot of trouble these stars are losing steam, and I am shocked this got a sequel.

Fruitvale Station was a smash at Sundance, look out for writer/director Coogler to make a big splash, and Michael B. Jordan to impress many.  This could be a major competitor for the Oscars.

July 19th 

Red 2, was a surprising sequel, the first was well like by critics, but did not make a lot of money.  I thought the first was a bit boring, and did not laugh as much as I should have, Mirren was the star, not surprising.

R.I.P.D. looks like it could be fun, but is Ryan Reynolds a jinx for films like this?  This film looks like it could be a lot of fun, the premise is kind of cool.  Reynolds and Bridges look to be a great team, and this graphic novel turned film could be a success.

Turbo also stars Ryan Reynolds as the voice of a snail turned motor racer?  I am not going to waste time on this cheap premise.  Animated films have been lazy this year, and this film is proof.

The Conjuring is another attempt at horror films trying to be a landmark, or the next Exorcist, or Amityville Horror.  This has a great cast, and comes from director James Wan (Saw), it could be good, but I am holding out that this is going to be too novelty.

Girl Most Likely stars Kristin Wiig, and looks like it could be fun, but the Icona Pop song over the trailer is just lame.  I think this is going to be a big miss, it looks too quirky for its own good.  I love Wiig, the cast, and the directors Sherri Springer Berman and Robert Pulcinni directed American Splendor, but they also did The Nanny Diaries, conundrum.

Only God Forgives bring Nicolas Winding Refn back together with Ryan Gosling for another go around, their first being Drive.  This was shown at Cannes and the film received a lot less love than Drive, in fact it got pretty awful reviews.  Refn style as a director is interesting, this could be one the critics are too harsh on, or they could be giving a "danger Will Robinson."

July 26th 

The Wolverine has the worst marketing, and a lot to live up to, in a bad way.  Origins was seen as a one of the worst Marvel films, even worse than Last Stand, this could smell trouble for Old Man Logan.  Back to the marketing, people are not even aware the film is being released, this is one of those films that just may be a failure without even getting a fighting chance.

The To Do List is this year's Easy A/Pitch Perfect.  This film looks hilarious, and stars the indie star on the rise, Aubrey Plaza.  Plaza is great on Parks and Recreation, and i have no doubt after Safety not Guaranteed she can carry this film.

Blue Jasmine, is Woody Allen's latest flick, and after his disastrous adventure in Rome Jasmine shows the darker humor, and could hearken back to more old school Woody.  Blanchett, and Hawkins are two great actresses, and I am excited to see what they can do within this film.