Ror Reviews: PACIFIC RIM (IMAX 3D)

Ror Reviews: PACIFIC RIM (IMAX 3D)

The majority of critics seem to have loved Guillermo del Toro's hugely ambitions creature feature (it currently sits at an impressive 85% on RT for example) but a few highlights aside I'm sorry to report that I most definitely did not. Read on for my take..

Review Opinion
By MarkCassidy - Jul 10, 2013 03:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Sci-Fi

I'm a big fan of Guillermo del Toro. I first caught The Devil's Backbone on tv many years ago and was blown away by how creepy and moving it was. I then tracked down his twisted vampire flick Cronos, and what followed were Mimic, Blade 2, the Hellboy movies and -- what I believe to be his masterpiece -- Pan's Labyrinth. I love all of the above films, although some certainly have their share of problems. I believe Del Toro falls down in some areas as a director, but his endless originality and imagination; as well as his ability to merge drama, comedy and horror so seamlessly more than make up for it

So you can imagine how much I wanted to love Pacific Rim, and how crushingly disappointed I was that I not only didn't, but actually kinda hated it.



Okay, hated elements of it (and believe me had I written up this review last night after seeing the movie it would have been much harsher) is more accurate, as there is plenty to enjoy here. Not surprisingly the Kaiju/Jaeger scraps are pretty damn incredible to behold. You've seen quite a bit in the trailers already, but they definitely save some jaw dropping stuff for the movie, and when these brilliantly realized behemoths are battling Pacific Rim is a joy -- but when they're not?

The human characters in this movie annoyed me to the point that I was actually rooting for the Kaiju. To call them one dimensional doesn't even begin to describe it -- these are cardboard cutouts plain and simple. Add to that some of the ropyest dialogue you'll have heard since Battleship and performances that range from passable to wretched (with the exception of Idris Elba), and ...well you get the idea. From the limping, stuffy Brit scientist to the arrogant young pilot you just know is gonna come good in the end, these walking cliches are a blight on this film. I have read all manner of excuses for this horseshit from critics and bloggers but the bottom line is this: Regardless of genre, director, writer -- you either care about things like acting and characterization or you don't. Just because this is a movie about giants hacking lumps out of each other it makes them no less important, in fact I'd argue it makes them more so.

I just couldn't get behind these guys, because I didn't BELIEVE them.

I have never been a Charlie Hunnam fan and this just clinches it -- the guy is simply not leading man material, and I'm sorry but if you STILL can't muster a convincing American accent after all these years it's time to stop trying (don't even get me started on the attempts at Aussie ones in this movie). As I mentioned, Idris Elba is great ..even with some dodgy lines he manages to make Stacker Pentecost someone we can root for, and are interested in knowing more about. Rinko Kukuchi also does the best with what she has at her disposal, and a flashback for her character while she is mentally connected to Hunnam's is a rare moment of human emotion that actually works, while also featuring an incredible Kaiju chase. Ron Pearlman makes a welcome cameo but there's no getting around the fact that his character is almost completely pointless. There are also two scientists played by Charlie Day and Burn Gorman who are supposed to serve as comic relief, and some seem to have found them endearing -- I thought they were shrieking bastards from the pit of Hades and I was hoping they'd be eaten.

Kids will love Pacific Rim I'm sure, and my inner child loved the monster mash -- but even he gave the side-eye to the rest. If you literally only care about the visual spectacle then I would recommend this movie, but if like me you want more than a block of wood to root for then I'd pass. Part of me really hopes that Pacific Rim does well so that we can get more from Del Toro and studios might take chances on films that aren't reboots, sequels or adapted from comics or books. But then another part of me knows the horrible truth: It just wasn't bloody good enough.



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GetsugaTensho22
GetsugaTensho22 - 7/10/2013, 4:06 AM
Haven't seen the movie yet, but Charlie Hunnam's not Leading man material? Hasn't mastered his American Accent? Blame the director, because he absolutely owns on Sons of Anarchy. His on screen presence and gravitas is brilliant.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 7/10/2013, 4:11 AM
I've sen SOA and I disagree..he's a swaggering sap.
19001560
19001560 - 7/10/2013, 4:13 AM
still watching it :D
SageMode
SageMode - 7/10/2013, 4:16 AM
I heard it was AWESOMETACULAR.
bfprimetime
bfprimetime - 7/10/2013, 4:25 AM
Been watching Pacific Rim for 20 years it's called Power Rangers
AC1
AC1 - 7/10/2013, 4:25 AM
I was never particularly interested in it, and I still might see it at some point, but this is pretty much what I expected.
Darlene1974
Darlene1974 - 7/10/2013, 4:26 AM
Blah Blah Blah.... just enjoy the movie already... and hope for sequels... I don't care about critics n their rants!!!...
TheDIsSilent
TheDIsSilent - 7/10/2013, 4:30 AM
@SageMode Did you hear that from a guy that wears a suit coat, has a 5 o'clock shadow, and punches the screen at the end of the review? ;)

@Ror How much of Sons of Anarchy have you seen? I'm inclined to believe you in regards to Hunnam based on the earlier seasons, but recently, he's put on his best work, which IMO is pretty damn good.

Either way, I might check out the movie just for the hell of it. I wasn't expecting much out of it, so I probably won't be disappointed.

Liverpool4life
Liverpool4life - 7/10/2013, 4:32 AM
Two of my buddies (have important jobs) got to see a special showing in the ATL last night. The laid back one thought it was an enjoyable movie. He talked about the "inner child" thing that Ror did. The other, who is a little more serious, was underwhelmed. He said it was just ok, better than Lone Ranger. However, he said it was not as good as IM3, Star Trek or MOS.
Luminus
Luminus - 7/10/2013, 4:35 AM
Why put IMAX 3D in the title, if you're not going to review the 3D part of the movie?
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 7/10/2013, 4:36 AM
Ah he's ok. It's not that he's a terrible actor it;s just that he's damn annoying! His voice, his walk, his demeanor..I just don't think he has great screen presence.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 7/10/2013, 4:37 AM
Oh yeah sorry..the 3D was a conversion and IMAX made everything look bigger:)
DudeGuy
DudeGuy - 7/10/2013, 4:39 AM
JeremyJahns said it was Awesometacular. I'll listen to him.
Also Charlie Hunnam is awesome on SOA! Charlie Hunnam for Flash!
Luminus
Luminus - 7/10/2013, 4:42 AM
@RorMachine: I was just curious if 3D was worth it, but I guess not. 2D it is.
TheDIsSilent
TheDIsSilent - 7/10/2013, 4:43 AM
@Ror I can see where you're coming from. But hey, to each his own, I guess. ;)
Deodorant
Deodorant - 7/10/2013, 4:44 AM
Good review, but I'll be taking this review with a grain of salt. Ror gave Man of Steel a 4.5/5 before, and to me it was a 3.5/5 tops. Can't wait to make my own judgement in 24hours time when it comes our here in OZ :D
marvelnut123
marvelnut123 - 7/10/2013, 4:46 AM
Bravo, an actual critical review of a genre movie. This summer has been wasted on cgi, effect extravganzas of destruction. What happened to complex stories with cool action set pieces, what happened to great characters that drive the reason to see the movie and what happened to moderation. Next summer I hope we get a series of interesting movies that have complex stories (xmen:dofp, cap2), unique and compelling new characters (GoG, SM2) and most of all, moderation. We don't need to destroy a city to make the movie watchable. Look back on the great genre movies and you'll see great stories, fantastic characters and expertly staged, yet moderatly scaled set action pieces that have emotional and lasting impact on the main characters and story. Blah.
SageMode
SageMode - 7/10/2013, 4:50 AM
Logan5
Logan5 - 7/10/2013, 4:51 AM
I'm totally sure that Pacific Rim will be right up there with MOS as the best of the summer! Star Trek played it too safe as did IM3.
Luminus
Luminus - 7/10/2013, 4:56 AM
@marvelnut123: Your argument doesn't make sense. The movies being made today are only being made because CGI makes them possible. Films like Iron Man simply could not be possible in the times you long for. We've sacrificed story for style. It's basically the opposite of the 80's.
Whiteandgold
Whiteandgold - 7/10/2013, 4:56 AM
So far star trek and mos is my fav of the year. Lets see if pacific rim can do something bout it.
Luminus
Luminus - 7/10/2013, 4:58 AM
@marvelnut123: Also, the average moviegoer doesn't appear to care about complex stories anymore. I think they're over that. The success of the Transformers films is a testament to that.
BigDamnHero
BigDamnHero - 7/10/2013, 5:00 AM
I still say people should be supporting it anyways. It's an original movie in a sea of sequels, remakes and reboots. If this bombs, we likely won't get any big budget original concepts for quite some time. And that's depressing.
codydriscollsrightarm
codydriscollsrightarm - 7/10/2013, 5:00 AM
Do the monsters destroy public and private property in this movie? Because i can take murdering alien invadera but if they dont bother to turn corners and show disregard for the planet theyre invading well IMMA be pissed!!! I dont want a breath taking spectacle in my summer movies, I want moderation.
codydriscollsrightarm
codydriscollsrightarm - 7/10/2013, 5:02 AM
@Luminous

This is bullshit and you know it.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 7/10/2013, 5:02 AM
Put it this way: If you love Pacific Rim..fair play, I'm glad it worked for you. But if you love Pacific Rim while trashing stuff like Transformers then I want an explanation. I really do believe there is a bit of director bias on show with these reviews. I think if PR had been directed by a Bay, a Berg or a Liebesman you'd see a MUCH lower score.
Luminus
Luminus - 7/10/2013, 5:05 AM
@codydriscollsrightarm: What's BS? This movie or the fact that people don't give a crap about complex stories anymore, thereby giving rise to reality tv on like every fracking channel?
MrReese
MrReese - 7/10/2013, 5:08 AM
Man if those robots n monsters destroy the city I'm calling "Destruction Porn"!!!! [frick] that! ;)
MrReese
MrReese - 7/10/2013, 5:11 AM
[frick] RT make ur own assumption.
codydriscollsrightarm
codydriscollsrightarm - 7/10/2013, 5:13 AM
@Luminous

Summer movies have been simplistic spectacles for a while now. But this notion that people dont like complex stories and only simplistic romps like transformers, avengers and MOS make people flock to the teather is false.

Movies like black swan, inception, TDK, were complex stories abd they were all successful.
CyberBishop
CyberBishop - 7/10/2013, 5:16 AM
I know I never trashed Transformers.. Yes they were somewhat "mindless fun" but isn't that what summer movies are supposed to be?? I mean if I want serious plot I will watch Mel Gibson's Hamlet.. And I have a friend that works for one of the AMC theaters that saw it and he said he and the other employees/guests loved it. So I will go and see it regardless the reviews. I can formulate my own opinions thanks.
Oh and nice honest review Ror!
marcel
marcel - 7/10/2013, 5:17 AM
Double D critic pole sucker. Get a brain
KingSilence
KingSilence - 7/10/2013, 5:20 AM
I pretty much expected the acting to be terrible, as you said. Probably similar to what happened with The Lone Ranger. When are studios going to realize that quality can still be important in quantity, especially when your throwing 300 million at the project.
TheGambitFreak
TheGambitFreak - 7/10/2013, 5:21 AM
There's no names attached to this film that scream, "OMFG, These are some extremely talented people worthy of engulfing my full attention and deserve some type of recognition such as an award!" It looks like a Summer movie, you said it was a summer movie, and that's what everyone is expecting it to be. Ron Pearlman is the epitome of C grade acting. Charlie Day's biggest break is 'It's always Sunny in Philly', must I even continue with him? Charlie "Hootenanny" has yet to make a groundbreaking performance (SoA and Deadfall are just...Plain). Idris Elba, aside from Thor and GR:SOV, is essentially the same character in every film (Watch Prometheus, This and The Losers and tell me there's a difference), even though I really enjoy him in his films. The cast is cheap. They're very much the perfect type of cast needed for a movie such as this or a Godzilla flick.

Here's the trend:

Spring - Comedies

Summer - Action/Adventure/Feel good flicks

Autumn - Dramas/Thrillers/Horror

Winter - Suspense/Rom-Coms/Visually entertaining films with big scopes.

And guess what category Pacific Rimjob falls under...

Luminus
Luminus - 7/10/2013, 5:22 AM
@codydriscollsrightarm: Inception had rotating blocks which they showed in the trailer. I.E., it looked flashy. TDK is full of 'splosions. You need to reference Cloud Atlas, who's looking for shoulders to cry on now for having a complex story that "no one" gave a crap about. Monster, another complex story that "no one" gave a shat about. Complex stories die at the box office, unless they have either 'splosions or flashy thingies.
TheGambitFreak
TheGambitFreak - 7/10/2013, 5:30 AM
"But if you love Pacific Rim while trashing stuff like Transformers then I want an explanation."


Haven't seen PR, but I must ask: Does Pacific Rim make offensive, stereotypical characters and do the the robots have literally worthless testicles dangling? Does a little robot [frick] a chick's leg? Is the main plot of the series about a dweeb who's only reason for living is trying his best to snag him some dirty pussy from a stuck-up bitch?

Maybe I'm assuming a little bit too much here, but I think not...
codydriscollsrightarm
codydriscollsrightarm - 7/10/2013, 5:32 AM
Dude, flash and substance are not mutually exclusive. The fact that TDK and Inception had "flashy" stuff does not make their stories any less complex. You earlier remark was about complex movies not bringing in the big bucks, thats false. If you werw talking about art house movies movies, thwn thats a different story.
R888
R888 - 7/10/2013, 5:33 AM
Still watching it
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