From the
title of this blog you can correctly assume that I like giant robots. From Transformers to Megas XLR the skies the
limit when it comes to colossal automatons. So I was really looking forward to
Pacific Rim when it was first announced.
You had great actors like Idris Elba and Ron Perlman along with
spectacular visual effects all tied together by Guillermo Del Toro’s
storytelling. Together this crafted a
recipe for success as I experienced one of the greatest films this year. The plot tells of an alternate future where
giant monsters known as Kaijus invade our world and cause general mayhem and
destruction. In order to combat this,
the human race unites together and create giant robots called Jaegers to fight
them. What I really like about how the
story is told is that you get to see it from different perspectives whether it
be the pilots of the Jaegers or the scientists who are studying Kaijus. Most of the actors are relatively unknown but
they all do a wonderful job of portraying the people involved in this
conflict. It really gives the sense that
this is a united effort and everyone contributes in their own unique way. But of course the standout would have to be
the amazing visuals. Long gone are the
days of people dressing up in giant rubber suits. Both the Kaijus and the Jaegers are animated
beautifully and will leave you anxiously anticipating the next fight between
these two titans. There’s not much more
to say aside from telling you to see it if you haven’t already saw it yet. Pacific Rim combines great talent, visuals,
and story to create one of this summer’s best blockbusters. One more important
thing: IMAX 3D is a must. 10/10
While
Wolverine has always been the most popular X-Men in the public eye, his stand
alone film left little to be desired. I
thought it was OK but I never really thought it contributed much to the story
laid out by the previous films. We
already knew most of Wolverine’s origin from the other films and this just
seemed redundant and confusing at some points.
Oddly enough though Wolverine has garnered a new standalone film called
The Wolverine. I wasn’t really looking
forward to this film at the start which I blame due to it coming out after two
bigger superhero films coming out beforehand, Man of Steel and Iron Man 3. As the summer dies down I figured I’d give it
a chance and see how well it does. Hugh
Jackman reprises the role of Wolverine and as always he does a great job in the
role. Taking place after X-Men 3,
Wolverine has been living off the grid in the Canadian Wilderness. One day, he is approached by Yuriko, a mutant
employed by someone who Wolverine has helped in the past. Wolverine flies out to Japan and is given the
offer to be stripped of his healing factor.
He declines but the next day he finds himself unable to heal after
getting roped into a conspiracy with the Japanese Yakuza. It’s up to Wolverine to fight through his
pain and solve the mysteries before him.
The story is pretty simple but it can get pretty convoluted at points as
you try to keep track of each character’s motives. Also like the first Wolverine movie I feel
very little is accomplished in this film and was just here to tide us until a
better X-Men film comes along (which if you stay after the credits is
foreshadowed). Hugh Jackman is good as
always but I found the other characters very forgetful. I know the film is about Wolverine but it
would be nice to have some other memorable characters aside from
Wolverine. If you’re a huge X-Men fan or
if you’re looking for a nice action film I could very easily recommend this to
you. But if you’re looking for something
deeper than Wolverine going to Japan and doing what he does best you’re going
to be slightly disappointed. 6/10
