As a war between humankind and monstrous sea creatures wages on, a former pilot and a trainee are paired up to drive a seemingly obsolete special weapon in a desperate effort to save the world from the apocalypse.
It is the near future, and alien creatures arrive not from space but from beneath the oceans via an inter-dimensional tunnel. Their sheer size makes them virtually unstoppable; that is until “The Jaeger Programme” is created and mankind finds a way to fight back; with super sized fighting machines of its own. But with these super machines dwindling in numbers, and the ferocity and size of the alien creatures increasing, can mankind save themselves from distinction before it’s too late…
Raleigh Beckett (Charlie Hunnam) is a Jaeger pilot who risks his life for the safety of mankind. After a terrible battle and the loss of his brother, Charlie spends the next few years taking construction jobs before he is requested back into service. The truth of the devastation and defence of the planet has been hidden from the public and the Jaeger Programme has been scrapped due to funding.
There is however a chance to end this war and thus save the entire planet. With the last of the Jaegers gathered from all over the world, mankind plans to launch an attack that will destroy the dimensional tunnel once and for all, but will they have enough time?
Pacific Rim is basically a “Rock-em, Sock-em Robots” game over-plied with CGI and improbable plot lines. The dialogue and plot threads are so heavily clichéd that they virtually spill out of the screen, not to mention so many visual goofs that would make any cinema aficionado scream.
That said, the viewer can’t help but enjoy the film. The action is very good and though you may be forgiven for thinking you are watching a Transformers movie, it seems so much more. Director Guillermo del Toro has taken the best elements from the old Godzilla movies and cranked them up with modern CGI to give the viewer basically two giants fighting on the silver screen. Even though there isn’t much in the way of back-story for most of the characters, even some of the Jaegers don’t get much screen time, but the film manages to deliver constant action and destruction throughout its running time.
The cast seem to be only a second thought as it really is the creatures and fighting machines that get the most screen time, there is however a great scene stealing performance by Ron Pearlman, which manages to raise the bar in terms of the acting.
In short, if you like to watch a big alien fight a big robot on the big screen, then this is perfect popcorn cinema for you. If on the other hand you would rather watch a film that has at least a single thread of believability in its plot then perhaps you should skip this particular movie, though if you leave your brain in neutral, the thrills on the screen will take care of the rest!
3 out of 5 nerds
Irwin Fletcher
I'm an LA journalist who really lives for his profession. I have also published work as Jane Doe in various mags and newspapers across the globe. I normally write articles that can cause trouble but now I write for FTN because Nerds are never angry, so I feel safe.
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