Pacific Rim

Name: Pacific Rim
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Released: July 12, 2013
Duration: 131 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Charlie Day, Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi

2013

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Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 1675 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 1675 Ratings

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Pacific Rim

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: July 12, 2013 | PG-13

Starring: Charlie Day, Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi

Summary: When monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity's resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in aWhen monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity's resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes-a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi)-who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind's last hope against the mounting apocalypse. [Warner Bros.]… Expand

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 131 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

RogerEbert.com Matt Zoller Seitz

Jul 12, 2013

If I were nine years old, I would see the monsters-versus-robots adventure Pacific Rim 50 times. Because I'm in my forties and have two kids and two jobs, I'll have to be content with seeing it a couple more times in theaters and re-watching it on video. Read full review

Ty Burr

Jul 10, 2013

Pacific Rim is, hands down, the blockbuster event of the summer — a titanic sci-fi action fantasy that has been invested, against all expectations, with a heart, a brain, and something approximating a soul. Read full review

Liam Lacey

Jul 11, 2013

Of all this year’s loud, over-long summer action movies that, in various ways, simulate the experience of having a tin bucket placed over your head and being struck repeatedly with a stick, it must be said that Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim is by far the most entertaining. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Jul 10, 2013

There’s no denying Pacific Rim is the best film of its kind. It remains to be seen whether the film’s epic clawing and clanking satisfies a pent-up demand equal to its ambitions. Read full review

McClatchy-Tribune News Service Roger Moore

Jul 10, 2013

Del Toro’s robots have weight and mass, and their epic, Hong Kong-smashing fights with the four and six-legged, clawed and horned monsters are visually coherent, unlike the messy blur of the “Transformers” movies. There’s a light, humorous feel to “Pacific Rim” because the science is silly and logic takes a flying leap. Read full review

Anthony Lane

Jul 15, 2013

It is possible to applaud Pacific Rim for the efficacy of its business model while deploring the tale that has been engendered — long, loud, dark, and very wet. You might as well watch the birth of an elephant. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Jul 11, 2013

Laudable as its world-building is, the film drags not just in its interminable middle hour, but also during the redundant monster-on-mechawarrior smackdowns. Read full review

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User Reviews

JoeB666

Jul 13, 2013

Disclaimer: I loved this movie. I watched it twice, back-to-back, in 3D.

I loved the action and the spectacle. The battles, despite the one absurdity of giant robots fighting alien invaders had sense of realism that was rather unnerving. Everything but that (minor detail) was eerilyDisclaimer: I loved this movie. I watched it twice, back-to-back, in 3D.

I loved the action and the spectacle. The battles, despite the one absurdity of giant robots fighting alien invaders had sense of realism that was rather unnerving. Everything but that (minor detail) was eerily plausible. I also liked the other messages found throughout. Mostly, though, I loved how it all came together as a kind of celebration of the value science and technology when coupled with human courage, ingenuity, innovation, self-sacrifice, individualism (when appropriate), and cooperation (when appropriate).

It's the many minor messages within the movie that made it stand out from mindless summer action movie fare (which are fine, on occasion).

First, what I like the most: I liked abiding theme of science and technology being tools for human salvation. There are literally no scenes without some object of human ingenuity in view. The giant robots are man-machine saviours that aid humanity in fighting against grotesque organic monsters.

(As an aside: I like nature. I was raised in a rural area, and I enjoyed camping. But make no mistake, nature can be brutal, and it is only human scientific, technological, social, and other developments that can keep the monster at bay. If you doubt me, try surviving alone and without man-made equipment for a week in virtually any natural environment. You may not be dead, but you'll almost wish you were. Where I live (just outside a city of 1 million), you’d be dead in less than 5 hours without winter clothing, six months a year. Nature can be subservient to us, but it must never again be our master. Precambrian humans had an average life expectancy of 31 years. Also, like the monsters in this movie, any number larger wild animals would kill a human without a second thought. A bear will rip a child to shreds. Wolves (prior to their gradual domestication by killing the more violent ones over the centuries), were a particularly large threat in Europe. An elephant will gore a grown man. And so on. **It is solely our scientific, technological, and social advancements made possible by an appropriate mix of individual initiative and group cooperation that keep the nightmare at bay.** The movie Pacific Rim acknowledges this. Unlike the technological luddism of, for example, the Terminator movies or Avatar [which both partially denigrate technology and science], this movie celebrates human achievement and progress. And movies could use more of that.)

I liked that movie (unlike almost all American blockbusters) takes place in several locations, none of which are large American cities. The United States comprises about 5% of the global population, and it’s nice to see that represented in an American blockbuster. And how many times do you really want to see New York destroyed, for instance?

I appreciated the message that both cooperation and individual initiative are prudent and necessary. The fight against (for instance, there are several instances of insubordination and deviations from military procedure, but they mostly involve serving the greater good).

I liked the love story component. The lead man was not a handsome male Brad Pitt lookalike, and the female love interest was not the typical American supermodel of action flicks. Rather, she was an English-speaking Chinese national who models the very best traits of many females from that culture. She is polite and respectful, yet stands up for her beliefs non-confrontationally, and she is obviously intelligent. She is "equal but different" from the main male protagonist.

I appreciated the cursory mention of the cause for the alien invasion: global environmental degradation, the (spoiler) reason for the alien invasion.

Although there is much "apocalyptic porn" (hey, I like it too), the body count is actually quite low. While we see entire skyscrapers destroyed, because civilians are evacuated in shelters, the number of civilian casualties is less than 100. (Contrast that with "Man of Steel", which had a casualty count of six or seven figures).

It was nice to see scientists portrayed are heroes. The two scientist characters literally risk their lives to test a theory and gain evidence that is crucial to a positive outcome. This world needs more scientists and technologists. Even the characters' stereotypical eccentricity is endearing: they have their foibles, but they are each aware of it. Sometimes, human foibles are unavoidable, and condemning people for (relatively) harmless quirks that they cannot change serves no purpose.

I did like that movie avoids many Hollywood clichés (for the above reasons).

If I had one complaint, it's that the movie is too short. It's 2 hours and 10 minutes. However, there is less action than I would have liked. It's not that there is too much "non-action" content. It's just that another 30 minutes or so of giant robot battles would have been swell.

In short: see it.… Expand

49 of 60 users found this helpful4911

SyFyMovieGuy

Oct 8, 2014

Don't have too much to say about this...maybe.

But this is one of my ALL TIME favorite movies. !!! I think I'll take a good look on Guillermo del Toro's other movies ( whatever else he directed or maybe was a writer too ) But this redefines a great CGI monster battle out blockbuster.Don't have too much to say about this...maybe.

But this is one of my ALL TIME favorite movies. !!! I think I'll take a good look on Guillermo del Toro's other movies ( whatever else he directed or maybe was a writer too ) But this redefines a great CGI monster battle out blockbuster. Pacific Rim is loaded with fantastic visuals that will appeal to many fanboys and for many people who just wants a little dose of a monster verus metal clash in our great cities.

I first saw this in a Latino theater in Ecuador located somewhere in South America ( That is where I was born ) and I loved it!!! I then got lucky enough to See it AGAIN ...but this time in 3D! ( Yes, in a latino movie theater, don't worry I understand spanish quite well. )

The experince was again fantastic! Great monster verus giant robots fights! It was breath-taking. Another word I'll use to describe Transformers. (2007)! I have the movie on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital HD! Once I get my Blu-Ray DVD player, I'll shall watch this movie in the Blu ray version! LOVED this epic movie! Watch it please!!! HIGHLY FREAKING RECOMMEND!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ShamrockVA

Jul 14, 2013

That it was my best visiting of cinema in this year. Epic robots, epic pokemons, epic EVERYTHING! And so sweet that none of main characters are AAA-stars. Its must see in the cinema only because huge robots should be HUUGE!

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

ToddDow

Nov 12, 2014

Pretty solid movie if you are just looking to sit back and enjoy some action. I have to admit, the geek in me comes out seeing the giant robots fighting giant monsters. When I saw the previews, I thought this could go very wrong or very right. I think it went very right. The movie isPretty solid movie if you are just looking to sit back and enjoy some action. I have to admit, the geek in me comes out seeing the giant robots fighting giant monsters. When I saw the previews, I thought this could go very wrong or very right. I think it went very right. The movie is well done for what it is.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BobLeeSwagger

Jul 22, 2013

Very entertaining. More or less a transformers meets iron man and takes more of the good from iron man than the bad from transformers. Good action, exciting visually, funny moments, solid story line. You won't leave the theater with your mind blown, but you'll be happy you spent the money.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

ChaosControl

Jul 27, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pros: Delivered what was promised, Robots vs Monsters, Brilliant sound, beautiful CG
Cons: Incredibly predictable, plot exists to tie up monster fights, cliches up the butt

Well I got what I was expecting with the movie i'll give it that much. It delivered on what it promised in the trailers, giant robots fighting giant monsters. While some elements of the plot were obvious and cliche it still delivered and I can't fault it for doing what it set out to do.

Pacific Rim doesn't bother giving us a massively fleshed out back story, its the most basic of stories before we're thrown right into the action. Jaegars fighting Kaiju, man it's awesome to watch.

The plot just feels like it's there to tie in the monster fights though and you can take bets on which of the Jaegars dies next pretty much, its not trying to hide anything and 90% of the "twists" can be seen a mile off without even having both eyes open.

Another annoying point is the constant cliche in action movies. There is always a renegade maverick who doesn't play by the rules and its because he doesn't play by the rules that he either (1. Is discharged from his job or 2. Leaves because something bad happened because he didn't play by the rules.) But then he's called back because they need someone who doesn't play by the rules and ARGH! That one cliche just p*sses me the ever loving f*ck off.

Aside from that its what you pay to see, Monsters vs Robots. Just don't expect a thrilling epic tale of tragedy and woe thrown in with the story. It's cliche characters being cliche, and that's ok for this move.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

qev

Aug 17, 2014

i gave it a second chance, having read many reviews, thinking wait a minute qev, did you see the right movie? it was after all a torrented version (from an undisclosed source, not me, that is right out and i deny that!) cos you never know etc, and low and behold, no, it was the same rubbishi gave it a second chance, having read many reviews, thinking wait a minute qev, did you see the right movie? it was after all a torrented version (from an undisclosed source, not me, that is right out and i deny that!) cos you never know etc, and low and behold, no, it was the same rubbish i saw the first time, only THIS time i wanted to shout "Why doesn't somebody fire the BIG WEAPONS at the awful Godzillaesque loping toy mock-ups FIRST THING when they're still out of 'about to destroy you for certain' range? and then i thought, wait a second, it's a comedy! hooray! but then, wait a third, no, no it's not! final verdict? atrocious… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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