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Saturday, July 13, 2013

MOVIE REVIEW: PACIFIC RIM




Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro teams up with Legendary Pictures to bring audiences a unique take on the monster film with this sci-fi production. Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy) stars as a washed-out controller and pilot of a series of robots called Jaegers, which are put into production after Earth is invaded by a species of giant monsters, the Kaijus. Thor's Idris Elba leads the rest of the starring cast, which includes Charlie Day, Rob Kazinsky and Ron Perlman. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Rinko Kikuchi, Ron Perlman.

Release Date: Jul 12, 2013

Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence throughout, and brief language

Genres: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

While I know Pacific Rim is meant as a loving homage to Godzilla films personally I had my head floating in thoughts of other repurposed anime cartoons from my childhood (Robotech, Voltron, etc…). Whether it was intentional or not Pacific Rim tapped into those much loved recesses of my memory with such verbosity that I literally got chills when a Jaegers pulls out a sword in the outreaches of the atmosphere. Guillermo del Toro has delivered something that was missing from the robust manically excess of Michael Bay’s Transformers film, consistent fun. Yes the characters are broadly drawn and closer to cartoon character than real human beings but that never keeps the entire thing from being 2 and half hours of jaw dropping intensity and fun. The cast, a mini FX channel reunion, does a solid job of grounding the action while never getting in its way. Charlie Hunnam, still carrying that Jax Teller walk and sound, is a solid lead and has a decent if not great connection with his costar/love interest Rinko Kikuchi. Idris Elba is appropriately stoic and inspiring when needed. Personally I think Guillermo del Toro has created a modern day classic which will age very well. It’ll leave a generation of children fills with dreams of robots and monsters. I’ll just keep praying someone will make me a Robotech film, I’d love to see that before I die…

A


21 comments:

  1. I really need to watch this! It looks so awesome, glad to hear it does not disappoint in slightest. We finally have an awesome giant robot movie that is better than Transformers.

    -James

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    1. I think you'll love it James. I've never hated the Transformers films but this is worlds better.

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  2. Good review Dan. I had a good time with this flick, however, I will admit that I wish there was more to the characters and their development. That's just me though.

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    1. Thank you Dan, I was ready made to love this. I know it wasn't perfect but I just enjoyed it so much.

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  3. So glad you enjoyed it as much as I did! I loved every second of it!

    Charlie's shoulder powered walk appears to be his normal walk which is alarming.

    Idris Elba and the rest of the cast were great too!

    Did you see it in 3D? I only had the 2D option but if it was worthwhile I'd make the effort to go to a 3D showing

    I expect tomorror will be an unofficial del Toro DVD day!

    K :-)

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    1. I'm getting that feeling about his walk, just think that him isn't it. I loved the rest of the cast as well, I can't wait to see it again.

      2D was the earliest showing but I'd love to see it in 3D.

      Same here, we are watching the 2 Hellboy movies tomorrow.

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  4. Ps - brilliant review!

    Believe it or not I really wanted to put a transformers reference in my review!

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    1. Thank you. It really gave me the chills I never got during the Transformers films.

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  5. First Karina, then Cindy, then you - holy shit, this must be really good. Gonna see it next week!

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    1. Thought it was epic man, hope you love it!

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    2. Omg it was epic indeed. Expect an epic review later that day :)

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    3. Can't wait man, so glad you loved it!

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    4. It's not often that the three of us are all in such strong agreement!

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    5. A great movie will do that!

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  6. I loved this film, as you saw from my review! Great write-up! This is the movie we needed right now.

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    1. Such a great film, really hope it has a long shelf life and rakes in some more cash, totally under appreciated.

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  7. If you are a fan of the anime genre ( Gundam to make an example) you will find this American production very enjoyable. A good transposition of japanese cartoos to the Cinema of Special Effects. The robot movements are an improvement of the Mechanisms seen in the Transformers series

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  8. I'd love to see Robotech movie, too. This movie totally rocked! Guillermo brought us the perfect summer hit.

    I have to say I didn't see Jax Teller at all in Charlie's performance. Jax is harder, more violent and alot more intense. Raleigh was more stoic and gentler in a way. He also had more respect than Jax does.

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    1. Keep hoping and praying to see a Robotech movie someday.

      Del Toro really made me feel like a little kid again.

      Charlie's performance was vastly different. It was more his walk and voice which I think are just his mannerisms, Jax is the just the first thing that pops into mind.

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  9. After watching and reviewing Pacific Rim, I have to say that it was a blast! It is the perfect popcorn flick. And all of the homages to the anime that you mentioned (I need to watch the uncensored version of the Robotech series sometime), as well as the heavy influences from one of my favorites series, Neon Genesis Evangelion. Actually, one of the main reasons why I liked the movie is that it reminded me so much of NGE. Other than that, the action was epic and a lot of fun. It definitely makes my list of Top 10 Movies of 2013. Great review Daniel!

    -James

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    1. Thank you James, I loved this movie so much. It's held up after rewatching it as well.

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