Trailer Review: Pacific Rim (WonderCon)

Pacific Rim is like a dream come true for fans of Japanese Anime cartoons featuring big robots and monsters. This genre has been popular in Japan for decades and some of the shows like Voltron: Defender of the Universe were shown on TV in the US and the UK. People that grew up in the eighties may remember them with fond memories as they were unique and full of spectacle. The genre is also popular with younger generations too and it was only a matter of time before Hollywood tried to capitalize on that.

In Pacific Rim, giant monsters known as Kaiju suddenly start to appear from beneath the Pacific Ocean. Massive robots are then constructed by scientists and engineers from around the world to fight them. The robots are called Jaegers and each robot has two pilots who work together to pilot the behemoth. In the beginning the Jaegers prove to be very effective but eventually they start to lose the war. The monsters keep on coming and are relentless in their attacks. The story centers around two young Jaeger pilots Raleigh Becket and Mako Mori (played by Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi.) The duo are chosen to operate an obsolete Jaeger prototype from the early days when the robots were undergoing testing. The prototype has the potential to be the strongest robot of all provided the young operators can use it to its full potential.

The director of Pacific Rim, Guillermo Del Toro is passionate about genres like science fiction, fantasy, horror and he has a vivid imagination. He is the best choice for directing a movie like this and the film is in safe hands. The cast is also good including relative newcomers like Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi but also more experienced tough guy actors like Idris Elba and Ron Perlman. Perlman in particular is sixty-three years old yet he still looks like he can kick everyone’s ass. Both actors bring larger than life personalities into any film they star in so having them in Pacific Rim is a bonus.

The trailer is action packed and a special effects extravaganza which is to be expected. A film like this needs to have outstanding CGI and so far it looks good. The robots look interesting and the aliens are huge. Seeing a movie like this at the cinema should be a thrilling experience. The trailer will make fans of robots or big monster movies weak at the knees. The film is like a loving homage to its Japanese inspirations and also the atomic age fifties big monster B movies.

Pacific Rim is a film that will be popular with Joe Public but it might not necessarily be a hit with the critics. So far it is unclear if the movie has anything to offer besides aesthetics and the spectacle of big battles. Some human drama would add depth to the film although it is not a mandatory requirement for a movie about big robots and monsters.

It is possible that Pacific Rim may turn out to be a captivating sci-fi movie with pure action and nothing more. However, if it can deliver on that front it may still be an entertaining way to spend two hours at the cinema. Not every movie needs complex human drama and character development. The sight of a giant robot looming on the landscape is a truly awe-inspiring view. It is similar to the feeling the viewer gets when looking at the painting of The Colossus by Spanish artist Francisco Goya. Such a sight will be well worth the price of admission to the local cinema for some movie fans.

The film will be released on July 12th. Have a look at the trailer and share your thoughts.