Pacific Rim Movie Review

This movie is a fun, science fiction, giant robot vs monster movie.  I rented it last night and really enjoyed watching it.  The technology for the the giant robots, called yeagers, is a bit out there but the way the research was portrayed was interesting.  I particularly liked the concept of there needing to be two pilots to share the load of running the yeager.

That being said I had real trouble believing that the yeagers( the giant robots) would be possible in the time frame that the story seems to portray.  There is a reason we use tank treads instead of walkers.  The sheer power and resiliency of the yeagers is more befitting an organic system than a mechanical one.  Despite this the movie manages to be quite entertaining.  The giant robots are cool, and the special effects are really good.

The plot of this movie is that the world is being invaded by giant monsters from another dimension, and the world built giant robots to combat them.  The movie is a little different from other giant monster movies because they are being deliberately sent as an invasion force to destroy our civilization.  The aliens who want colonize send giant monsters through a dimensional rift that they opened at the bottom of the pacific ocean.  The humans responded by building yeagers to stop them.  This works for a while but eventually more capable monsters are sent and yeagers start to fall.  The governments of the world decide to build giant walls to hide behind at this point, and the remaining yeagers end up in Hong Kong fighting the monsters.  The twist is that just as the yeager program is winding down the monsters break through the wall.  It seems that they are preparing to send a wave of monsters against the world and destroy our civilization once and for all.  The only thing standing between the world and its fate is a rag-tag group of the remaining yeagers, and their pilots.

This movie is a classic example of the giant robot/giant monster movie done in modern times.  Most science fiction or action movie fans will like this movie.  It is not however very original in its plot.  basically it is neon-genesis evangelion meets independence day, so if you expect to be surprised by the twists you will probably be disappointed.  If you want a great Friday night popcorn movie though this could be a winner.

This movie is available on disk or as a streaming rental or purchase at www.amazon.com