Review: Pacific Rim

4/4 Stars
Spoilers Ahead

Pacific Rim is the kind of summer blockbuster that only comes out every few years. My only thought after seeing the film was that I would pay money to see it a second time in the theatre. I’ve had that thought for Avatar, Inception, MLP: Equestria Girls, and 2001: A Space Odyssey (which I saw in theatres while my own Blu-Ray sat on my pile of movies, to give you an idea of how brilliant the film is). It is a sign that that film is worth the bus ride, the price of a ticket, candy not bought from the theatre because it’s damn expensive to get candy there, and the price of trying to get a good seat. Pacific Rim is a success, both in terms of visual effects and storytelling; del Toro’s film is not only a great work, but will definitely be remembered in the years to come. It is much like Star Wars or Minority Report—a film which uses today’s technology to its fullest and is a great mix of action, character, and ideas.
The story starts off by giving the audience a quick synopsis of the events which lead up to the main plot, a simple start—but entirely believable. The Kaiju (Japanese for Monster) came and humanity fought back, finding a way to beat them—the colossal Jäegers, mecha’s built for the purpose of going toe-to-toe with the Kaiju and defending humanity. They are enormous machines, piloted by two pilots who share a mind link to control the mecha; a single mind becomes overwhelmed. Pilots must share the physical and mental load, so they also share each other’s mind and thoughts—compatibility is an issue here, as well as not getting distracted by you or your co-pilot’s thoughts.
The central character, Raleigh, is a Jäeger pilot, or was, before he lost his brother and co-pilot, now finding odd jobs around the world. As the Kaiju seemed to evolve and become bigger and more powerful, governments stop funding the Jäeger Program, choosing to build a wall around the edges of the Pacific. The fights between the Jäegers and the Kaiju are spectacular, as both of them move with weight, lumbering and smashing, as well as being excellently filmed. They switch between the new style of fights in movies, along with older technics, and it all flows together beautifully. On that note, I should mention that almost every set and shot are amazing, each one could essential be a still frame and still be a sight to behold.
But Pacific Rim is no simple macho, fighting, brainless action film—rather; it is the type of action film which surprises by having something most lack—heart. The characters all have feelings and emotion, and both express it and can be compromised by it. The relationship between Raleigh and his new co-pilot, Mako, is not a forced love plot. What is brilliant about them is that del Toro made sure that he didn’t add in a forced love sub-plot; he knew that their relationship wasn’t one of exactly of love, but of partnership. They’ve shared their minds and understand each other. There is still an aspect of love between the two, but it’s not forced into the film; it’s a best friend’s love (a moirail relationship basically). He let her into his mind and vice versa—that connection is one of trust and togetherness. The film itself is about humanity, and the different kinds of people trying to protect it. Each character might at times be clichéd, but they are real.
Pacific Rim is a homage to the old Japanese Kaiju films such as Godzilla, as well as many others, and it’s obvious that del Toro had great respect for them—all his Kaiju are incredibly detailed and each one is different, as well as all the Jäegers. del Toro also built much of the mechas, so that CGI reliance was low.


Everything looks, sounds, and feels real—they move with weight and gravity.
There are a number of nods to other great films, as well as series’ such as Neon Genesis Evangelion (of which del Toro is a fan).
After seeing Pacific Rim, I had one or two small complaints. As I write this, I can hardly remember them. This is the type of movie that doesn't really have flaws, in the way that Citizen Cane doesn't either. It is a film, as Roger Ebert would say, “a film to nourish us. Not a story so much as an experience, it is a triumph of art direction, set design, cinematography, special effects—and imagination.", and I believe this to be true.