Pacific Rim is a case where even a simplistic idea as giant robots versus giant monsters can bring plenty to the table for all to enjoy. The very fact that this is the first blog I've written in months should be enough of an indication of that. In a generation where many blockbusters tend to throw in complex messages, excessive exposition, and "invincible" combating protagonists, Pacific Rim pushes all that aside, resulting in a fresh and exhilarating monster mash.
The story takes place in the near future, where the world is constantly being overrun by giant monsters from another dimension called the Kaiju, destroying several of the Earth's nations. Because of this, said nations ban together and put their resources into creating giant combat robots called the Jaegars. However, before too long, the Kaiju became more and more powerful with each encounter, demolishing each and every Jaegar along with its two pilots. Soon, the program stops receiving government sponsor. However, Commander Stacker Pentecost, played by Idris Elba, creates a resistance group that plans to blow up the bridge between the dimensions to prevent any more encounters. For this, he re-recruits an old pilot of his, Raleigh Becket, played by Charlie Hunnam, to choose a co-pilot and fight the Kaiju while his two comedic relief scientists (Charlie Day and Burn Gorman) figure out specifications for their plan to blow up the bridge.
Many critics have said that this movie is a case of style over substance. For me, this is more along the lines of the style creating the substance. In a fashion similar to Tim Burton's Batman, Pacific Rim tells most of its story visually rather than relying on explanations and exposition. There are a few lines of disclosure, but they're mostly there to tell us what visuals couldn't tell us. Other objectives (such as developing or giving personalities to the characters) are told through visual means (such as the actions or facial expressions of the characters). One reason I prefer this style is because it utilizes the elements of film much more. The main reason, though, is that this allows for more quotable, memorable dialogue, because the writers don't have to cram in so much needless explanation.
However, no giant monster movie is complete without some brawls, and to say this movie delivers in that department would be an understatement. The biggest mistake Hollywood producers tend to make with films like Man of Steel and Transformers: Dark of the Moon is thinking that we'll be alongside an "invincible" figure who cannot be stopped and therefore can just keep defeating bad guy after bad guy. Aside from the fact that the action scenes are often times bloated in such cases, the main problem with this is that there's never any suspense because we already know these fighters are unstoppable. Pacific Rim takes its action in a new direction by making both the strengths and the weaknesses of the Kaiju and the Jaegars clear, allowing the audience to have a better idea of what's going on and how much longer the action will go on, while still throwing in several surprises to keep audiences on their toes. Not only that, but it also has an incredible attention to detail, utilizing close-ups, the occasional slow-motion, and some of the best sound mixing of our generation to show how and why one or the other is triumphant.
Some might consider this movie too simplistic, but I feel like that is part of its advantage. It doesn't rely on heavy messages or social commentary. The goal that this resistance has is abundantly clear; kill giant monsters and protect planet Earth. The only conflicts that go on throughout the film are within the characters themselves, but even those are resolved quickly because there's bigger things going on than holding on to anger, fear, and the lust for revenge. When you get right down to it, that's the message of the film; sometimes, you have to push aside the past and do what it takes to set things right in the world.
Whether you consider it a brilliant piece of storytelling or just a dumbed-down, simplistic thrill ride, Pacific Rim is a must-see. It's a fresh, ambitious blockbuster with its unique style of visual storytelling and attention-oriented action scenes that uses its simplistic concept to its full advantage. Don't even wait for it on Blu-Ray; it's too big to not be seen in theaters.
This movie is worth $20.
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