So I just watched Pacific Rim, like, 2 hours ago...
A 12-years old boy's wet dream.
I watched the trailers, I read some reviews, and I formed my own personal expectation from this movie. And it delivered. Gloriously.
Here's my expectation: a giant robot beating the shit out of a giant monster (or vice versa), non-existent or basic plot, sub-par acting, and cheesy lines. We got all of those, yay! I know it's nothing like Fight Club, or the Matrix, Evangelion or other sci-fi with deep and heavy stories. We got good old fashioned mecha flick.
The story is basically just an excuse to have people build giant robot and fight it with giant monsters. I cannot stress enough how these flicks do not have to have amazing story to be good. You simply cannot get the story depth like Evangelion or arguably Code Geass in a 131-minutes movie, or at least I don't think it is possible. I'd like to be proven wrong. This is much more comparable to old Japanese mecha animes, where the robots and heroes are brave. This is closer to Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (which I love). The main point of Evangelion was the personal psychological pressure of the teenage pilots who suddenly have the fate of the world on their shoulders. Then Code Geass is about revenge, tactics, and politics. Pacific Rim is nothing like that, nor does it veil the stories to pretend it is something that it isn't. It's just good plain old Kaiju/Mecha movie.
This giant robot is bigger than even your mom. Fighting a bigger-than-your-mom aliens.
Some of my friends complained about the logic of the plot, the lack of big name actor/actress. I feel like they are missing the point. Granted, they are not a geek like me, but in a movie where giant robots and giant monsters exists, you don't really question how the fucking bridge to the other world works. It's just there, dammit! It's there so that you can see fucking amazing humongous fights between to freakish titans.
The visuals are definitely the main course of the movie. The robots and monsters feels huge and heavy, and the actions can be easily followed; unlike some movies *cough*Transformers*cough*. Okay I like Transformers but honestly, after 2 hours of confusing and graphically complicated robot fights, I was kinda tired. In my opinion, this is not the case with Pacific Rim, as the actions of the two giants can be easily followed and short enough to make it interesting. Heck, sometimes they even announce what they are doing like some sort of classic anime/manga/comic book, e.g. "Rocket Punch!" followed by a rocket-powered punch. It's a shame I have no IMAX in my city as this is like the perfect movie for IMAX.
The acting are definitely nothing to write home about. I thought the Japanese girl was pretty cute although she does not act that well. Apparently she was in Babel and some other movies, even got an Oscar nomination before. GladOS's voice is amazing, as expected. And Charlie Day! Oh my god, I love Charlie! I don't know what his name was, but I'll just call him Dr. Charlie. He is always Charlie to me. Once a wildcard, always a wildcard.
Wildcard, bitches!!!
The sound was phenomenal. I can feel my whole body vibrating whenever the Jaegers or Kaijus walk, punch each other, or growls. And the song. It fits so damn well. It's epic and patriotic, fitting for the movie.
I wish there are more Jaegers to show off though. As in the movies we only see two of them really doing anything. Maybe it's a budget constraint? Amazing story and plot is icing on the cake. At this point I'm not sure if there is a sequel. But with this kind of movie, you really can make any excuse of a plot to make a sequel. Or even a prequel might be nice.
All in all, this movie is not gonna win a lot of awards or anything. This movie won't be a on the top of my movie lists. But I'm definitely satisfied and glad that this kind of movie got made in Hollywood at all. I would definitely recommend watching it, but expect the movie to be what it is trying to be. And I'll guarantee you'll have a good time.
