Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars ★★★☆
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Burn Gorman
Rated PG-13
When I first saw the trailers for Pacific Rim, I thought it would be another dumb explosion-y action movie. I was very wrong.Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars ★★★☆
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Burn Gorman
Rated PG-13
01.) Fair Balance of Plot, Action, & Development. I have to hand it to Guillermo, he delved into more character development than most current action flicks. Though some critics would argue the characters aren't that likable, I beg to differ.
Our main protagonists Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam) and Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi) are both excellent hero-material with their individual marred past affected by the Kaiju. They have drive, motive, and skill. Marshall Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba) is also a sharp, commanding, and charismatic character that you can't help but root for, especially with his heroic backstory.
What was also unique was the concept of the Drift, where the two pilots of the Jaeger do a "neural handshake", causing their minds to meld and sync up for optimal fighting coordination. It's essential to the film's plot and adds an interesting dimension to the movie.
Of course, it's not perfect and there's more depth to be desired, but it's still something!
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Our main protagonists Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam) and Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi) are both excellent hero-material with their individual marred past affected by the Kaiju. They have drive, motive, and skill. Marshall Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba) is also a sharp, commanding, and charismatic character that you can't help but root for, especially with his heroic backstory.
What was also unique was the concept of the Drift, where the two pilots of the Jaeger do a "neural handshake", causing their minds to meld and sync up for optimal fighting coordination. It's essential to the film's plot and adds an interesting dimension to the movie.
Of course, it's not perfect and there's more depth to be desired, but it's still something!
02.) Diversity! In a refreshing turn of events, there was racial and gender diversity in the leading roles! Idris Elba teaches all the younger actors how it's done and plays a multi-dimensional commanding officer of the Jaeger defense force, which are the mind-melding, copiloted fighting machines to combat the Kaiju.
Rinko Kikuchi plays a brilliant, strong, and powerful woman named Mako Mori. She's not overly sexualized and is respected by her peers. She even copilots one of the Jaegers with Raleigh. I'm definitely a fan of hers. Another character of color is Ops Tendo Choi, who's the command center whiz as he monitors the Jaegers and the Kaijus, played by Latino actor Clifton Collins Jr.
Not to mention writer and director Guillermo del Toro is hispanic himself.
03.) Talented but not "star-studded" cast. What I really liked is that the actors are known, but not mega-super-stars. Idris Elba is probably one of the most well-known actors in the cast, partially due to his extensive filmography.
They COULD have picked people like Jessica Alba as the sexy love interest or Channing Tatum as our dashing hero to draw crowds, but they didn't. It helped the audience immerse themselves in the story more.
Also, adding Charlie Day and Burn Gorman into the mix really helped for much needed comic relief after the back-to-back intense Kaiju battle scenes.
04.) No Gushy Romance. Praise the Lord Jesus. Romances in action movies
tend to feel forced and predictable. There's suggestion of something between Raleigh and Mako, but nothing is really initiated. Hey, just because the two of them understand each other doesn't mean they have to be in love, okay?
And no big finale kiss in sight. And the peasants rejoiced.
05.) Eye Candy galore.
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| (L to R) Kikuchi, Elba, and Hannum |
Not to mention writer and director Guillermo del Toro is hispanic himself.
03.) Talented but not "star-studded" cast. What I really liked is that the actors are known, but not mega-super-stars. Idris Elba is probably one of the most well-known actors in the cast, partially due to his extensive filmography.
They COULD have picked people like Jessica Alba as the sexy love interest or Channing Tatum as our dashing hero to draw crowds, but they didn't. It helped the audience immerse themselves in the story more.
Also, adding Charlie Day and Burn Gorman into the mix really helped for much needed comic relief after the back-to-back intense Kaiju battle scenes.
04.) No Gushy Romance. Praise the Lord Jesus. Romances in action movies
tend to feel forced and predictable. There's suggestion of something between Raleigh and Mako, but nothing is really initiated. Hey, just because the two of them understand each other doesn't mean they have to be in love, okay?
And no big finale kiss in sight. And the peasants rejoiced.
05.) Eye Candy galore.
This part speaks for itself. Just look at them. Look.
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| I'm more than okay with this (source) |
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| Aww so cute Rinko (source) |
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| A+ (source) |
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| Lord have mercy (source) |
The unfortunate thing is that this movie doesn't pass the Bechdel Test, since there's only one woman with a major speaking role. Also I'm not thrilled with the other writer, Travis Beacham. He wrote actual flop of a movie Clash of the Titans, among other overloaded action flicks that I was no fan.
Don't believe the critics who say this movie is "stupid" or that it's "a flop" when it really is not. Guillermo del Toro's amazing directing has shone through once again. It makes the film a fun, adventure-filled thrill ride with characters you can cheer for (despite what other people say *ahem*).
So go see Pacific Rim! If you have already, what did you think of it? Tell me in the comments below.
Till next time xx,
Sierra
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