Escape to the Movies: Pacific Rim

[teamcharlie]

It really is that good. Saw it last night and I loved it. Pacific Rim is one of those rare beasts that is exactly the logical progression of an older (fun) premise taken to new heights with contemporary ideas and technology.

The best comparisons to this I can really make from recent movies are Drive and Moonrise Kingdom from the last two years. They were both movies out of time, respectively an '80s-style action movie with a romance subplot and a story of two kids in the '60s running off from their parents and the law to be together, both made with such care as to remind people that we didn't just love the older and hokier versions due to nostalgia. Pacific Rim has that much care and that much heart, but is instead a goddamn monster-versus-robot smackdown where everything you always had to imagine in a 'what if this was real' way from all the Gundams and Power Rangers and Evangelions etc. actually happened in a fully fleshed out way and was as glorious as you could have hoped.

 

[shadowmagus]

A-MAZ-ING Movie. Really. Saw it. Go see it.

*mic drop, walk off stage*

 

[Count_A'ight]

Just got back from seeing the Friday morning show. Great movie! Lots of awesomeness! The semi-post credit sequence was fun. Ron Pearlman IS Hannibal Chau! Everything about him is both ridiculous and badass at the same time!

I left the theater wanting more...which is the highest praise for a movie like this. The running time flew by!

 

[BrownGaijin]

Already saw it last night, on that note:

Spoiler

Pacific Rim did a really good job borrowing from it's Kaiju roots and still staying original, and the sense of nostalgia that's pops up is awesome. For example there's a scene (won't tell you which one) where the character does something and this song just popped into my head.
Also while looking at the thumbnails I saw something else it just dawned on me who the two scientists reminded me of.

 

[Mahoshonen]

Some people work in the non-entertainment industry, Bob.

But I'm glad you thought the movie is good. I've been in agreement with you for pretty much every review (except Avengers, but I attribute that to watching it in 3D that made my eyeballs hurt in the Third Act) so I'll take time to see this one.

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

Mako doesn't really work as a Rei Ayanami clone. Mako is pretty much a stoic, almost samurai-esque warrior woman. Rei was quiet, eerie, and socially withdrawn to the point of essentially being incompetent at dealing with people. If anything Mako is basically what Asuka THINKS she is.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Don't worry Bob, I will be watching it tommorrow since that's when my Uncle (who I'm watching the film with) is coming over so I will be editing my comment once I have seen it.

The Kaiju were amazing looking, make me wonder if Japan had more of their budget with their monster films (no I am not saying they should replace their costume monster with CGI, I want want to see it as a experimental thing).

EDIT- Ok I've finally watched it despite my Uncle was too busy to watch it. Overall it's good (now I get the Top Gun vibe that my bro mention).

I may aswell leave this here, ahem "Suck it to all the naysayers in this threads made two months ago!!" http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.409331-Pacific-rim-people-Get-some-excitement-going?page=1

Spoiler: Stuff in the film

Yes I get why people are annoyed that the Chinese and the Russian crews were killed off quickly and were the least developed characters in the film, still this isn't exactly new (other film did this before). Beside, battles aren't always fair (next thing you know, BAM that random character is dead!).
Also the two scientist made me lol for being the odd couple.
Oh and that Hanibbal guy so reminded me of that villain that Will Ferrel played in Zoolander!

 

[synobal]

Maybe there is something wrong with me, but I just can't get excited for this movie. I just don't seem to be able get into the whole giant robots vs giant monsters.

 

[DerangedHobo]

Did Bob just call this 'original'? Big things punching each other in a city setting? Godzilla? Hell, even the power rangers.

Although I'd just see it for Ron Perlman in shades.

 

[uchytjes]

I saw the movie last night, and it definitely did not disappoint. I loved the designs of all the jagers (especially the russian one), and the Kaiju were just as good. Especially when that one appeared. You know the one. That was awesome.

I just hope this spawns a new era of giant monster/giant robot movies. Hell, I'd even see a sequel with the simple premise of "another breach has opened" or "they have come for revenge".

 

[JLink]

Maybe there is something wrong with me, but I just can't get excited for this movie. I just don't seem to be able get into the whole giant robots vs giant monsters.

I'm getting tired of the fact that it's a common figure of speech when someone doesn't like something that a lot of other people do, then they assume something is wrong with them. Why do people have to like everything that other people like too? What the hell is wrong with different people liking different things?

 

[synobal]

Maybe there is something wrong with me, but I just can't get excited for this movie. I just don't seem to be able get into the whole giant robots vs giant monsters.

I'm getting tired of the fact that it's a common figure of speech when someone doesn't like something that a lot of other people do, then they assume something is wrong with them. Why do people have to like everything that other people like too? What the hell is wrong with different people liking different things?

You're looking to deeply at my comment there. I'm just saying I don't really get the whole giant robot vs giant monster thing. But if I just post once sentence I seem to have a habit of getting a warning.

 

[saintdane05]

Bob's reaction to the Spiderman poster... whoa.
<youtube=6nSKkwzwdW4>

 

[Jegsimmons]

The movie was pretty good but I have to say...those 'Australian' characters had the worst 'Australian' accents ever.

Spoiler

It's not doing so well over here in Australia (opened in 4th place) and that poster of Sydney in rubble? Yeah...not in the movie. A Kaiju attacks Sydney briefly but there's hardly any destruction as it's quickly disposed of by the 'Australian'-piloted Jaeger

The action was intense and epic although I don't think it will do very well unfortunately. Mainly because it is camp and full of cheesy acting/dialogue. It will probably be a box-office flop (especially with a $180 Million budget) and end up a cult classic like Starship Troopers.

Its the only movie out right now and its only competition is grown ups 2 and is getting universal praise....box office flop my ass.

 

[PuckFuppet]

Was PR formulaic? Yes. But honestly no shits are being given, by the director or the actors or anyone else who seems to be involved, and they just turn into the predictable format and own it. Could they have broken out of it? Maybe. But if they had tried and then failed, like Man of Steel or the recent John Carter film, it would have made an otherwise good film seem... not good.

On the whole I saw it, I liked it and I felt that it did everything it wanted to do. So much so that I'd like to see a sequel if only so it could skip the tired origin story mess and just jump right into what every good action film should be, giant robots beating up giant monsters in an urban cityscape.

 

[Vausch]

Pacific Rim

MovieBob gives us his take on the the upcoming blockbuster Pacific Rim.

Watch Video

Bob, I was getting reasonably excited for Pacific Rim throughout your review and was even planning to go see it... then you told me that there was a new Chucky movie that doesn't look like a comedy and looks like it has some practical effects...

Nope. No more Pacific Rim, must see Chucky.

It's direct to DVD and intermixes CGI and practical effects. Trailer here
To be honest it's feeling a little like a retread of the first one. Also Chucky looks fat. I dunno why.

 

[Rad Party God]

GOD DAMMIT, I don't have any money right now, I want to see this SOOO BAD >.<'