'Pacific Rim' both exceeds and fails to meet expectations

It is a sad state of affairs when a movie like Pacific Rim ends up being counter-programming in theaters dominated by prequels, sequels, and reboots to beloved comics or TV shows receiving the movie treatment. Pacific Rim is 90s blockbuster ensconced in today’s CGI robes. Pacific Rim has never purported itself to be more than a spectacle of giant robots fighting giant aliens and in that regard it vastly exceeds expectations. But the movie also manages to underwhelm as many of the more interesting, and creative, aspects of the story are relatively unexplored in order to tell the very cookie cutter story.

To call Pacific Rim original would mean redefining the word. However, in today’s summer movie landscape all it takes to be original is to not be based off of already established characters. And while the movie is clearly a re-appropriation of East Asia’s love affairs with giant robots (think various manga and anime series like Gundam and giant monsters (Godzilla anyone?), Pacific Rim is not a movie translation of a book, comic hero, or beloved TV show. It also is not a sequel or prequel to already established movies, meaning it is the most original blockbuster for 2013 thus far.

The movie also features a lot of creativity that is well executed in terms of the design and functionality of the robots (Jaegers) and monsters (Kaiju). The robots feel appropriately gargantuan and heavy. Every action, as simple as walking or as complicated as combat, is filled with immensity and power that grounds the possibility of their existence in the real world. Likewise, the monsters are designed with a certain organic flair that represents both their grotesqueness and functionality. It seems that every aspect of the monsters has a purpose for movement and combat and isn’t just included for aesthetics.

In addition to the design of the appearances of both the robots and monsters come explanations of how and why they function. The beginning of the movie features some quick narration as to why each robot needs at least two human operators who undergo a technique called drifting – basically a mind meld – in order to operate the robot to its peak performance. Additionally, midway through the movie two ancillary characters discover why the monsters have been getting progressively stronger as they years go by. And while this type of thinking and thorough creativity is a highlight of the movie, it also becomes a glaring detractor when it comes to the story.

Now Pacific Rim has never pretended to be anything but loud, dumb fun. And it certainly succeeds in its major goal. But all of the creativity that went into the Jaegers and Kaiju is completely absent in the story of the movie. Pacific Rim plays out about as typical as a blockbuster can be. It hits all the usual plot points and archetypes one would expect. Whether it is Raleigh, the main character, who is called back into action after giving up piloting robots because his brother died in their last battle or the inspirational speech Stacker gives before the final monster battle, Pacific Rim has a dearth of creativity while telling its story.

No one is going to this movie for the story and there is something to be said for the return to the formula of the 90s blockbuster but the creativity that went into the design of the Jaegers and Kaiju only further emphasizes the cookie cutter nature of the story. What is more disappointing is the inclusion of the more interesting elements of the story that go unexplored. In the set up narration Raleigh says that the Jaegers and their pilots became heroes and were made into action figures, which helped pacify the people. However, the effects of pacification are never explored and have almost no bearing on the story whatsoever.

Likewise, the process of drifting into another person’s subconscious mind and memories in order to connect with the other person to pilot the Jaeger is a very interesting concept. But there is no mention of how hopping into another person’s mind affects either pilot. And when the effects of drifting between the two scientists and a Kaiju are shown they are quickly written off by the fact that they are humans jumping into an alien brain and how it basically seems normal the second time Newt does it. The same could be said when Raleigh and his new co-pilot Mako have a disastrous first drift. In these two instances Pacific Rim demonstrates what the movie could have been but chose not to be.

Long ago Pacific Rim decided to be little more than a clash between giant robots and giant monsters. In these meager goals Pacific Rim is a huge success. However, by not allowing itself to explore some of the more interesting aspects of the story Pacific Rim ends up disappointing. Ultimately Pacific Rim begs the question: what is the point including any story elements if a movie’s only goal is to watch giant robots and giant monsters duke it out?