Pacific Rim
In the not so distant future a portal between earth and another dimension opens allowing for enormous creatures called Kaiju to rise from the Pacific Ocean. The Kaiju’s apparent goal is to destroy earth, cheapest take over our planet, pilule then move on to a new world to destroy. Putting up a defense on earth is the unified worldwide military Jager program; basically giant robots piloted by two individuals who’s minds are electronically linked together for greater speed and processing power. As the Kaiju become bigger and stronger the Jager robots and their pilots must step up their game or face certain death, about it or is it too late?
Grumble grumble grumble, here’s the deal, Guillermo del Toro, he’s a genius and a mastermind, he does horror like no one else, he understands monsters and creatures with many teeth better than most, he is versed in creating visually compelling images, and generally the stories he tells are interesting and make us think, so what’s the deal with Pacific Rim? Conceptually we’re watching a re-hash of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Voltron, and Godzilla, which sounds semi-interesting from a comic book mindset, except in this go round we’re crippled with dialogue so incredibly droll and thick headed the appropriate response to much of the film is laughter. And missing the basic tenant of melodrama, evil can never be totally destroyed, can it be that we see evil destroyed? Why Guillermo why? Basic storytelling concepts are checked at the door, and instead we’re given a mindless sci-fi action film that serves as a display of CGI prowess more than anything else. By the end we don’t give a rip about any of the leads, who cares if they live or die, it’s inconsequential? Need we even discuss the blatant stereotypes depicted throughout the film as well, not really, but yup they’re there. Bottom line, this thing is dumb as a post, but oddly it does prove to be entertaining in some capacity. Perhaps this summer’s equivalent to Battleship? Be advised. Pacific Rim is rated PG-13.