Pacific Rim

                                                                     

         How do you make the perfect summer movie? I’m not just talking about the best action movie, or the best summer comedy, just the perfect summer movie. Some would say lots of explosions, while others may say a good love story will always do the trick. Every year all the studios aim to release a movie that you will want to see, their idea of that great summer movie. Well I think Guillermo del Toro has figured it out, Robots Vs. Monsters.

       I know it can’t be that simple, since we already had a Cowboys and Aliens that didn't live up to expectations, but for me “Pacific Rim” really is. We have always looked to the stars for where we thought visitors might arrive on our planet one day. But, what if they come from deep within our oceans? That is the question “Pacific Rim” poses. Creatures called “Kaiju” have attacked the coastal cities in the Pacific. They start in San Francisco, and then attack cities like Manila, and Cabo. After conventional weapons have little effect, the world’s governments decide the only way to fight monsters, is to build monsters of their own. The “Jaeger Program” is born, where giant robots are built to fight for mankind. Each Jaeger is controlled by two pilots, who control each hemisphere in the Jaeger. The Jaegers become mankind’s best weapon against the “Kaiju” and their only way to save the planet.

       This is what “Transformers” could have been, if del Toro had been at the helm instead of Michael Bay. While Bay has always been a visual director, he just does not have the complete package like del Toro. This movie has something for everyone, but above all it is just fun to watch. It is a big and loud, and one of those movies that are made to be seen on the biggest screen you can find. For everything that is wrong with summer movies like “After Earth” and “The Lone Ranger” this movie gets it right. This is not a movie that is going to get praised for its great story, even though it has a decent one. The main selling point is “come see this movie and you get to see giant robots and monsters beat the crap out of each other.” I mean really after that what more do you need?

I went in expecting to see one of the best movies of the summer and walked out not thinking any different. The performances for the most part are not anything special, except for every time Idris Elba is on the screen. Given the best dialogue, including a speech any football coach would love, Elba just commands your attention. In a world where sequels rule, we should embrace originally. I mean didn't we say all we needed to say with the original “Grown Ups”? Do we really need another? I say this weekend when you go to the movies see “Pacific Rim”. It’s like sequels are the “Kaiju” and this is your chance to command a Jaeger and to tell the world you are tired of all the “Kaiju”. And if you can, see it ‘IMAX’ big, because this movie doesn’t do anything small.

Brian Taylor