The Film
"We can either sit here and do nothing or grab those flare guns and do something really stupid."
If you've been wondering why Charlie Hunnam was picked for 50 Shades of Grey, check out Pacific Rim. If you've been wondering why Charlie Hunnam dropped out of 50 Shades of Grey, check out Pacific Rim. The actor can hold his own next to monsters, robots and even director Guillermo del Toro.
Don't get me wrong, though; Pacific Rim isn't exactly rocket science. It's more like robot science -- and it's kind of fun. It's also one of the most underrated films of the year. That's probably because the film comes off as cheese, with all of the slick Michael Bay-esque visuals. Also, there are moments when this monster mash-up can be a bit of a tough pill to swallow.
The idea is that some of our cities are consistently under attack by Kaijus, a bunch of Godzilla-like creatures. Since they come from the water, they're really only interested in the cities that border the Pacific Ocean. Also, they're pretty tough to beat. Instead of fleeing the area, we combat the creatures using Jaegers, a fleet of robots, each of which look like a 50-foot version of War Machine. Of course, to make the Jaegers work, you need two pilots. That said, only one man (Hunnam, duh) can really make that magic and save thousands of lives.
Pacific Rim does have its share of hokey and predictable moments, which could be what turned off some audiences in the first place. It does sound sort of horrible on paper, but del Toro makes it work. He also makes it a feast for the senses and throws in a stellar cast, most notably Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day and Ron Perlman. How can you say no to a popcorn flick that's so darn tasty?
Forget the goofiness and the 131-runtime. Yes, the film is entirely too long for what's going on here. That's probably my biggest gripe beyond some of the cliché parts of the story. Still, Pacific Rim is like 50 percent Godzilla (the good ones, not the remake) and 50 percent Ree-l Steel. It's also 100 percent fun.
Want to get into the ring with a true champion? Check out Karen Dahlstrom's theatrical review of Pacific Rim.
The Picture
Pacific Rim absolutely looks like it was made for 3D viewing. However, Warner Bros. sent out the 2D version for review, so I'll have to dream about how awesome that must be. Even without the glasses and technology, the eye-popping visuals will have you feeling like you're part of the action. In other words, 3D may be an option that you want to invest in. The 2D image is certainly no slouch, though. It's sharp as a tack. The colors are a bit on the dark side, with a cold palette that's perfect for the subject matter. The monsters and the robots are both extremely detailed, as are the many actors in the film. It's just a stunning presentation from beginning to end.
The Sound
Even if you watched Pacific Rim with your eyes closed, you'd still have a fun time with this movie. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track can entertain all on its own. It's pretty much everything you'd expect from a big-budget, sci-fi extravaganza. The dialogue is always crisp and clear, which is no small feat considering the mayhem that's displayed. There's also a great use of the surrounds to deliver ambience, which helps to make the film really immersive. Of course, we're here for action, and action you shall have. The track is filled with screams, rushing water, crunching metal and other effects that will have you checking over your shoulder and squealing with delight.
The Extras
Warner Bros. has released the film in 3D and 2D sets. Besides the obvious difference (um, the 3D disc), the sets are exactly the same. Both are completely busting with anything and everything you'd ever want to know about the film. In fact, there's an entire extra disc to make sure that no Kaiju is left unturned.
The movie disc includes 13 different featurettes under the heading "Focus Points." It's a pretty comprehensive collection, which covers the director, the creatures, the sets and all of the other creative aspects of the film. However, the real gem of this disc is Guillermo del Toro's commentary track. Even if you aren't the type of person that typically indulges in this offering, the director is just a really interesting storyteller and has plenty to say about his film's production.
On the off chance you still have lingering questions about Pacific Rim, there's a whole other bonus Blu-ray. This has bloopers and deleted scenes, as well as separate featurettes about the design and special effects. However, the standout here also focuses on del Toro. "The Director's Notebook" offers just that -- a peek inside Del Toro's production diary. This interactive section allows viewers to click on different pages to launch interviews, images and other tidbits.
Final Thoughts
Pacific Rim isn't the best film of the year, but it may be one of the most underrated. It's a bit on the long side, considering the content. That said, the audio and video should keep you pretty glued for much of the film's 131-minute runtime. Yes, it's long! Besides the AV, the supplements here make Pacific Rim one of the best buys of the season. Go have a little fun, people!
Product Details
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