Movie: Pacific Rim(2013) – My opinion

A giant robot(Jeager(German) = Hunter) versus monsters(Kaiju(Japanese) = Giant Beast) movie from the mind of the man who gave you Pan's Labyrinth. This could possible be the greatest thing of all time so fire up your elbow-rocket and let's check out Pacific Rim.

The year is 2020 and the earth is at war with the Kaijus, huge monsters that emerges from a crack on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Humans come together to create the Jaegers, huge robots piloted by at least two pilots whos minds are joined by a neural bridge. We follow a washed-up Jeager pilot who gets called back into action.

I didn't want to spoil much in the plot-line but i just want to say that there is a lot more in this movie then just what i wrote. So if you're going to watch it it might be good to watch it now before you read on.

I freakin' love this movie. It's just so much fun. It's far from perfect but it had everything i expected and wanted. It has a big plot-hole, some really stupid moments(like not telling one pilot of a weapon your Jeager has. That's so stupid) and a couple of very cheesy moments but the good outweighs the bad. I was so excited when i heard that Guillermo del Toro(who is known for directing Blade 2, Hellboy and Pan's Labyrinth) was directing this movie. The inside of his head works like no one elses in the best way. He has a great talent for creature design and does not get stuck on stereotypical monsters like someone might. Having said that i wish the design of the Kaiju in this movie would have been a little more varied. They are a little dark and gloomy but that's just my opinion. Don't get me wrong though, they are good and they are very impressive in size just like the Jeagers. They are gigantic. The Jeager designs are really cool and they have some very cool weapons. My main problem with the Jeagers is that we see way to little of the other Jeagers than just the main characters Jeager. Also a recurring problem when the Jeagers and Kaiju fight there is always rain. You might no think that is so bad but i would like to see a fight in the sunshine. Another cool idea is mind drifting. This splits the audience i feel. Some hate it, some love it and i love it. Instead of just putting a pilot in a Jeager they put in two pilots that have to connect their minds. This gives the movie a little more depth and room to explore characters memories which again results in some character development and some interesting situations. All of this is tied together with great and intense action and a great soundtrack.

Our washed-up Jeager pilot, Raleigh Becket(played by Charlie Hunnam who is know for his work on Green Street Hooligans and Sons of Anarchy), is a decent main character. He's not great but he's good enough. Charlie Hunnam plays him good and with the intensity he's known for in some of his other projects. His copilot Mako Mori(played by Rinko Kikuchi who is known for her work on The Brothers Bloom and 47 Ronin) is a great character. I wanted her to be little better to stand up for herself but she has some really great moments in the movie. You also get some great background story on her and Rinko Kikuchi plays her brilliantly. Another pilot, Chuck Hansen(played by Robert Kazinsky who is known for his work on Red Tails and Eastenders and is going to play Orgrim in the upcoming Warcraft movie), who is not impressed with the has-been Raleigh Becket. He is totally a douche. It feels a little forced and you feel like he's just there to be an asshole to Raleigh Becket. Who would use their time to be a douche and fight another pilot at a time where there are a pilot and Jeager shortage? It seems very stupid but i have to say that Robert Kazinsky plays a great douche. Their leader, Stacker Pentecost(played by Idris Elba who is know for his work on the Thor movies, Prometheus and Luther), is a great leader. He has of course his cheesy speeches and what not but most of the time he is actually useful. You got your weird science guy, Dr. Newton Geiszler(played by Charlie Day who is known for his work on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Horrible Bosses), who is a great contrast to have in between all the pilots. He also helps with some exposition without it being to clunky. We also meet Hannibal Chau(played by Ron Perlman who is known for his work on Hellboy, Drive, Sons of Anarchy) who is a black marketeer who deals in Kaiju organs. This tells us a little more of what happens to the Kaiju once they are defeated and i think it might be something like this if it would happen in real life. People will always try to sell stuff and people will always try to buy stuff. He's a dodgy but great character.

As i have already said i love this movie. It could have been your standard mediocre monster-flick but with some strong characters and the drifting part makes it kinda better and deeper than other monster-movies. You get to see what happens after a fight with the dead Kaiju is also great. Great movie, just great. Also, check out the short video Pacific Rim: Training Day. Some youtubers(Jesse Cox, Dodger, Total Biscuit,Husky and more)stars in this short and there is a brief cameo of Guillermo del Toro which is so cool that he did.

TL;DR

Great movie. Kaiju and Jeagers are huge. Jeagers look great. Some good characters and pretty good acting. Mind Drifting is a cool. Some stupid and cheesy moments. Too much rain. One of my favorite movies of 2013. Great soundtrack. Intense and good action. If you don't like Mech movies or monster movies it kinda obvious that this is not for you.

My question for you:

What's you favorite monster-movie?

What's your favorite monster?

Please leave a comment(negative,positive, suggestions or/and answers).

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Twitter: @HarmlessKen