A summer movie that hits all the right nostalgic childhood notes while not being a remake. If you loved monster films like the old Godzilla movies, then Pacific Rim is for you. The visual style is very steampunk, WWII, art deco with a sprinkling of Blade Runner when the characters hit city streets. del Toro’s innate joyful spirit and sense of humor carries the movie over plotholes and lack of character development when a strong actor wasn’t dominating the scene. Also Idris Elba! And Idris Elba’s voice. And Idris Elba’s body! If Daniel Craig was in this movie, I may not have been able to leave the theater. Assignment for ANY filmmaker: get Elba & Craig in a movie together. They could just knit sweaters. Minor passing critical thoughts with POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
no mothers, just children, except for the kaiju; once again American white rebel male has to take the lead & save the day even in an international cast-Asian trio & Russian couple didn’t even get lines; the seemingly strong, fighting woman was actually a woman who deferred to every man in her life, was paralyzed by fear and could only fight when she was coached by the male lead–WWZ did moderately better on feminist politics & various female representations. Definitely got an Athena-Zeus vibe psychological dynamic in this film, but can’t quite put my finger on whether or not it really bothered me or should be ignored.