Pacific Rim (2013) Review

Once in a while a film comes along that, if you allow it, will transform you into twelve year-old yourself. Pacific Rim is one of these films. From the opening prologue both you and the film itself acknowledges the ridiculousness of the premise, yet puts you in a sweet spot where you go with it.

The writing is for the most part corny and cheesy, but purposefully so. In a way you could say that it is cheep to say something like that, but the fact of the matter is that it does benefit the film. The story is after all extremely corny, and by having the incredibly corny dialogue and characters, you never forget that it is a film that is not meant to be taken too seriously.

Attempting something like that will in most cases result in a disaster, luckily it is Guillermo del Toro holding the reins on this disaster film. Like with his Hellboy film, he finds the perfect tone between serious and ridiculous. He manages to make everything fun, yet at same time make us care enough for the characters that the few carefully placed emotional moments actually work. The whole film is really a testament to how great of a director Guillermo del Toro is; hitting every note right in what could otherwise have been a disaster.

 

The visuals are extraordinary, sprawling with Del Toro´s imagination in the almost surreal, neon landscapes. The inspiration from Japanese anime is very apparent and totally works for the visuals. The film does use a cheap trick of having most of the big fights in night during rain, which makes it easier to get good looking CGI. That being said it doesn´t really matter when the visuals are so damn good and imaginative.

The world-building was also surprisingly good, setting up a good sci-fi universe and adding to the film´s immersion. 

The acting is for the most part at the same corniness as the dialogue, but most of the actors pull of the balance that Del Toro has in the mood. Charlie Hunnam doesn´t do anything spectacular, but he has enough presence and likability that I really did care for him to be alive at the end of the film. The standouts were Idris Elba, Rinko Kukushi and Ron Perlman. Not all the actors managed to hit the right note of corniness and became cringe worthy at times, but it never bothered me enough to drag the film down.

Pacific Rim is something uniquely fun, surprisingly engaging and somewhat satirical. It is an orgy of imaginative visuals and action, creating one of the most fun film of the year so far.

4.5/5