Pacific Rim is one of three movies on my must-see list for 2013 - along with Elysium and Gravity. These three properties are all original tales within the sci-fi/ fantasy genre (being released against a host of adaptations and sequels). They also have the distinction of being made by some of the finest film-makers working today.
Pacific Rim is first out the gate and boasts a fine pedigree in Guillermo del Toro. A native of Mexico, del Toro has moved back and forth from directing independent spanish language features to studio-backed english speaking fare. His movies include; The Devils Backbone, Blade 2 (arguably the best in the series), Pans Labyrinth and the Hellboy movies. Having firmly established himself in Hollywood, del Toro continues to pursue a career in directing - while championing a host of up-and-coming film-makers, as a producer.
When a dimensional portal opens on the pacific ocean floor, giant monsters (Kaijus) enter our world. Laying waste to whatever crosses their path, the monsters are more than just a menace - potentially threatening our very existence.
The world is unable to offer a deterrent until a plan is formulated to create giant mechanical monsters of our own (Jaegers) to combat the threat.
Each continent has a Jaeger and collectively they prove effective at keeping these inter-dimensional behemoths at bay!
As each new interloper comes through the portal however, the stronger they appear to be. Our scientists predict their numbers will increase exponentially - with each Kaiju gaining in strength and ferocity.
The audience are thrust in to the action after this comprehensive back-story. Several Jaegers have been destroyed in battle and the powers that be are now funnelling money in to a giant wall, which is being erected around the pacific coast.
The threat proves to powerful of course. What's left of the Yeager force pool their efforts (despite being cut off financially) and decide to put an end to the Kaijus once and for all.
Despite the originality of this particular venture, those familiar with japanese anime and pop culture will no doubt be familiar with human-piloted mechanoids and giant reptilian monsters - be they ocean dwelling or otherwise!
Each Yeager is piloted by a team of two. Both pilots need to be of a compatible nature, as piloting a Yeager requires the two to meld minds ("drift").
This is where the human drama comes in to play. As testosterone bounces off the walls of the Shatterdome (Jaeger HQ), there is much camaraderie and competition to be mined. The dialogue and interplay between characters is somewhat uneven and cheesy however - a comparison to Top Gun would not be unjustified! As laughable as that film was, it also delivered thrills-a-plenty!
I'm happy to report Pacific Rim does just the same - and then some! It's certainly a film to be seen (and heard) at the cinema. Even some of the bigger LCD screens will struggle to do the film justice when it's released on DVD.
I'm happy to report Pacific Rim does just the same - and then some! It's certainly a film to be seen (and heard) at the cinema. Even some of the bigger LCD screens will struggle to do the film justice when it's released on DVD.
The action is plentiful and is absolutely stunning to look at! Not only has it been shot wonderfully, it's incredibly well lit (despite many a night-time scene). More importantly, one can see what's going on! The immense detail (throughout the film) is not lost through ADD editing or man-on-the-ground-cam! Long-time collaborator Guillermo Navarro is to be commended for his cinematography here - as is del Toro and his team of artisans!
Despite the slightly dubious human element, this movie really delivers - and comes highly recommended! In a funny kind of way it goes some way to emphasising what I already feared - giant robots will likely be better off without us!
4/5
Poster image courtesy: www.collider.com
No comments:
Post a Comment