Pacific Rim Review
RYAN: This film is directed by Guillermo del Toro who I’ve always enjoyed, primarily because of his fantastic creature work, specifically in Pan’s Labyrinth. I was dreading seeing this because in the trailer, it’s made to look so much like a Transformers movie but it’s actually nothing like that, thank God. It’s a really fun movie!
CHUCK: I could tell you were dreading seeing this and I actually was very excited about it; but, I didn’t want to let on too much that I was psyched for it.
RYAN: Yeah, you didn’t. But it’s cool we’re going to offer your perspective, going in with high expectations, and mine, going in with low. I liked it. What about you?
CHUCK: I loved it. It was a great movie-going experience; nothing above and beyond what it is. It’s not trying to be anything other than this cool effects movie where humans have to fight monsters.
RYAN: It’s not super smart or the most clever story, but it’s much more complete and cohesive than those Transformers movies. It succeeds for being entertaining and it’s so fully realized in every detail, visually, and in terms of story, covering different subplots and an overall arc, that it works really well. Even compared to last year’s Battleship, this works so much better.
CHUCK: What the hell was Battleship? Seriously. As for Pacific Rim, the visual complexity and the realism was so impressive.
RYAN: Compared to those other movies, this has a much deeper, better story and also much, much better performances.
CHUCK: This doesn’t go for the camp – it’s just plain fun and all of the actors give good performances, even though there are not any A-listers in it.
RYAN: This film is very layered. I’ve always liked actor Charlie Hunnam but now I like him even more after this movie. I’d like to thank his personal trainer. He’s smokin’ in this movie! He’s like a young, hotter Brad Pitt.
CHUCK: He is. He’s like the futuristic, wily cowboy, moseying around. He looks nice. Everyone – male, female, gay, straight – will appreciate what Guillermo del Toro put on screen here.
RYAN: I liked the whole cast – especially the two scientists. They were hilarious scene stealers.
CHUCK: They are Charlie Day from TV’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Burn Gorman and they were just incredible. Truly funny.
RYAN: Charlie Day has shades of a modern-day Rick Moranis in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
CHUCK: [laughs’ Totally – the wacky scientist.
RYAN: And it wasn’t cheesy, bad humor. It’s completely consistent and appropriate within the tone of the movie. I loved those moments. This movie is very science fiction and also great action and effects.
CHUCK: There are also some very poignant moments. There’s one scene with a young girl and what a performance from her! No words. Again showing how well Guillermo works with children.
RYAN: And there’s really only one female in the movie – Rinko Kikuchi – and she was great.
CHUCK: She was fantastic and Idris Elba was good too.
RYAN: He is a big man. And all of the monsters and creatures were one hundred percent delivered. I love that you see it all. They were creepy, like, prehistoric dinosaurs meets Tron because they were electrified.
CHUCK: Absolutely. And just when you think they can’t get crazier, they do and you’re, like, “What the hell!”
RYAN: Amazing. I liked the big fighting robots. They were like super-sized Iron Man.
CHUCK: They also made me think of Voltron and The Iron Giant.
RYAN: The 3D was very good.
CHUCK: Absolutely. It’s not a must see in 3D but it is good. The visual effects are all so believable.
RYAN: And Hellboy is in it.
CHUCK: Ron Perlman. He’s like Sam Raimi’s Bruce Campbell.
RYAN: Exactly.
CHUCK: And this just proves you can come in under $200 million with a spectacular-looking blockbuster. This was made for $180. It still looks like no expense was spared.
RYAN: Even though it’s a classic boy movie, there is a strong female and a romantic subplot; I think there’s enough to please everybody.
CHUCK: And again, Charlie Hunnam.
RYAN: It’s a super fun, good, big effects, summer blockbuster. It delivers in a better than average way.
