Now available on iTunes is this summer’s big movie Pacific Rim. I saw this movie premier at G-Fest XX in Chicago with a full theater of kaiju film aficionados. It was a great example of an audience improving the experience. I saw it again a couple weeks later in 3-D format. While the theater was better the second time around, the 3-D was more distracting than beneficial and the audience collectively did not react at some of the references that the kaiju-friendly audience did. I’m looking forward to re-watching it now on the small screen. The iTunes extras include four small featurettes.
- A Primer on Kaijus & Jaeger by Guillermo Del Toro
- Inside the Drift
- Shatterdome Ranger Roll Call
- Mega Sized Sets
This movie respected the elements of the classic Japanese kaiju genre while upping the game for a Hollywood audience. I’m disappointed that this movie did not resonate more with audiences. The movie was not without its flaws. The annoying Jar-jar scientist could have been left on the cutting room floor although maybe it was necessary to play opposite Hannibal Chow. I’m also annoyed that kaiju insist on only fighting at night and in the rain. There were only a couple of scenes in the daylight and with a wide enough shot that you could actually see the grandeur of the characters. The two pilots gag was added to satisfy the story but it works in this film.
If you ever enjoyed at Godzilla movie as a kid, this movie is worth a couple hours of your time.