Pacific Rim 2 - Part 1

[Prettyricky]

Boy has it been a while since ive seen a movie sequel this shallow and thin trying to justify its own existence for 2 hours on screen. The only good thing was boyega which shocked me because I hate his acting in star wars

 

[Rjones1325]

I give Uprising this: never once was there a moment I missed Charlie Hunnam or Rinko Kikuchi (who returns here only for a hot minute, thankfully). Boyega doesn’t only have screen presence, but he can actually ACT! No offense to Hunnam but, in the predecessor, I felt nothing towards his character because his performance was just deadpan. Boyega has enough charisma and charm to lead a movie on his own and he delivers it on all cylinders.

In terms of story structure, this is a much better film than its previous installment. On a technical level, this comes nowhere close to the predecessor. This may be because WB put a **** ton of money into the original’s budget, but Universal didn’t provide this sequel the same courtesy. I MEAN, BOTH FILMS COST OVER 150 MILLION DOLLARS TO MAKE, but I guess 190 is more effective than 150. Yet, last year’s Colossal was made on a 15-million-dollar budget and the effects in that indie movie looked more detailed than either Pacific Rim film. It is quite unfortunate because there are several effect shots that just look unfinished or not fully rendered.

But I really despised the film's ending.

Dear studio films that are either an existing franchise or trying to become a franchise:

STOP TRYING TO SET YOUR CURRENT FILM UP FOR A SEQUEL AND CALL YOUR ENDING AN ENDING!

For some reason, every film I’ve been seeing recently tends to have a conclusion that confidently goes, “GET READY FOR THE SEQUEL!”

NO! You can’t just do that! Can’t studio blockbusters just have an ambiguous ending that suggests a sequel instead of boldly going, “Hey, we’re going to have a part 2!”? It happened in Tomb Raider, and now it’s present in Uprising. You don’t know how your box office will turn out. You can probably turn out to be a bomb and your confident sequel will never come into fruition so in the end you’ll look like a huge dumbass!

FULL REVIEW HERE:https://www.rendyreviews.com/movies//pacific-rim-uprising-review

 

[Legendver2]

I actually really enjoyed the film. I'm a big sucker for giant robots and giant monsters, so this was right up my alley. Plus, seeing my #2 bae Jing Tian and a big American film was a big draw for me, and seeing as I initially thought she'd just make a few appearances to appease the Chinese crowd, seeing that she was actually a substantial part of the third act was a really nice surprise.

 

[Silvermoth]

I absolutely loved it. I thought the characters were more fun, the stakes were raised, the locations were cooler and it’s nice that John boyega and Scott Eastwood were totally smooching off camera to make themselves “drift compatible”

 

[Loki882]

Spoiler

I was worried about the evil Newt twist being lame at first because it came out of nowhere. At first I thought it was Newt's love for Kaiju that drove him to bring them back. That would have been contrived and lame, and a very out-of-place character motivation. As it is, I think it works because he's being mind controlled by the aliens.

As for Mako's death, I didn't find it lame at all. There's really not a whole lot else she can do, so killing her was a good decision. I thought it impacted the story, and was handled well without being overdone.

Spoiler

Bullcrap there was nothing more that she could do. She's a pilot, she was the main character in the last movie, and she's Jake's adoptive sister. There was plenty more that they could have done with her.

Killing her off was the cheapest, laziest, lames, most predictable (seriously I saw it coming ten miles away) and most wasteful thing that they could have possibly done, and totally disrespectful to her character. And it served no real purpose in the story that justified it.

It was a fridging pure and simple and I was pretty much done with the movie as soon as that happened, it was that terribly-executed and pointless.

Also Newt being mind-controlled was also lame. That doesn't make him compelling or interesting at all, it's a cheap contrivance.

 

[MadVillainy]

Spoiler

Bullcrap there was nothing more that she could do. She's a pilot, she was the main character in the last movie, and she's Jake's adoptive sister. There was plenty more that they could have done with her.

Killing her off was the cheapest, laziest, lames, most predictable (seriously I saw it coming ten miles away) and most wasteful thing that they could have possibly done, and totally disrespectful to her character. And it served no real purpose in the story that justified it.

It was a fridging pure and simple and I was pretty much done with the movie as soon as that happened, it was that terribly-executed and pointless.

Also Newt being mind-controlled was also lame. That doesn't make him compelling or interesting at all, it's a cheap contrivance.

I haven't seen the movie, but that does seem lazy as hell. I hate when movies do that. Not just[BLACKOUT] "fridging" but bringing back a character to kill them off for some cheap emotional moment. Pike in Star Trek into Darkness is another one that got on my nerves[/BLACKOUT]

 

[terry78]

I did suck it up and see this last night and it wasn't bad. Probably the closest we've gotten to an actual giant mecha anime come to life until they actually decide to do Gundam or whatever.

 

[Kane52630]

My review

Spoiler

It's a movie with a severe case of sequelitis. It started off kinda promising, they did a decent job on following through with the events of the first one. After about 30 minutes, it fully becomes a Saturday morning cartoon that Nickelodeon made into live action. John Boyega and maybe Cailee Spaeny was at least trying which was something, but most of the cast was on autopilot (pun intended). Scott Eastwood was doing a poor imitation of his father which was kinda painful to watch. And the Charlie Day/Burn Gorman comedy hour lasted only a second before that got annoying. First half of the movie was trying to go for that Enders Game vibe, but they never follow through with it. The 2nd half of the movie is pretty much a video game monster battle and there's no room for character or story or anything that made the first one so spacial. Apparently there is a villain in the movie and when that gets revealed, it becomes laughable because it's something that would happen in Power Rangers. Overall, it's a forgettable mindless action movie with giant robots.

5/10

 

[Blade X]

I haven't seen the movie, but that does seem lazy as hell. I hate when movies do that. Not just[BLACKOUT] "fridging" but bringing back a character to kill them off for some cheap emotional moment. Pike in Star Trek into Darkness is another one that got on my nerves[/BLACKOUT]

I'be also haven't seen this movie yet and I agree with you that seems lazy as hell. That character should have at least stick around as a mentor figure since there are very few roles featuring Asian women in Hollywood films.

 

[Grootster]

How is killing a character lazy? I could see why not using the character at all would be lazy, but I don't think "lazy" is the word to describe killing a character from the first film. If anything it's a pretty big risk.

I'm not saying you have to like or agree with the decision, I just don't think it's lazy.

I'be also haven't seen this movie yet and I agree with you that seems lazy as hell. That character should have at least stick around as a mentor figure since there are very few roles featuring Asian women in Hollywood films.

Leave a character alive purely for out-of-universe political reasons? That would be the worst reason ever. In my opinion real-life politics should not impact the way a story plays out unless the movie is some kind of political metaphor.

Honestly, I was completely fine with [BLACKOUT]Mako dying[/BLACKOUT]. Her role in this movie was great, [BLACKOUT]her death[/BLACKOUT] impacted the story. It would be a different case if they had brought back Raleigh and the story was a continuation of their adventure, but it wasn't. This story is about Jake and Amara. It's more a loose sequel to the first film than a direct one. I don't really see [BLACKOUT]Mako's death[/BLACKOUT] as that much different than Han's death in The Force Awakens.

 

[TheVileOne]

I'm still angry about Mako in this film. It was a grave error.

 

[Blade X]

Leave a character alive purely for out-of-universe political reasons? That would be the worst reason ever. In my opinion real-life politics should not impact the way a story plays out unless the movie is some kind of political metaphor.

Honestly, I was completely fine with [BLACKOUT]Mako dying[/BLACKOUT]. Her role in this movie was great, [BLACKOUT]her death[/BLACKOUT] impacted the story. It would be a different case if they had brought back Raleigh and the story was a continuation of their adventure, but it wasn't. This story is about Jake and Amara. It's more a loose sequel to the first film than a direct one. I don't really see [BLACKOUT]Mako's death[/BLACKOUT] as that much different than Han's death in The Force Awakens.

They could have had her get badly injured and it would still impact the story.

And for the record, I hated Han and Luke's deaths in the SW sequels.

 

[redhawk23]

How is killing a character lazy? I could see why not using the character at all would be lazy, but I don't think "lazy" is the word to describe killing a character from the first film. If anything it's a pretty big risk.

I'm not saying you have to like or agree with the decision, I just don't think it's lazy.



Leave a character alive purely for out-of-universe political reasons? That would be the worst reason ever. In my opinion real-life politics should not impact the way a story plays out unless the movie is some kind of political metaphor.

Honestly, I was completely fine with [BLACKOUT]Mako dying[/BLACKOUT]. Her role in this movie was great, [BLACKOUT]her death[/BLACKOUT] impacted the story. It would be a different case if they had brought back Raleigh and the story was a continuation of their adventure, but it wasn't. This story is about Jake and Amara. It's more a loose sequel to the first film than a direct one. I don't really see [BLACKOUT]Mako's death[/BLACKOUT] as that much different than Han's death in The Force Awakens.

Damn near nothing changes in the story if you take out the death. Even if you need to have some way for Jake to relate with the other girl's loss, he has already also lost his father.

There is not a single thing gained.
Not killing off a well-loved character and instead writing her something interesting to do isn't a "political" move.

 

[terry78]

Well, it took out BP. 28 mil total domestic.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

It's upto $150 million WW at the BO already.

 

[Filmfan93]

Saw it yesterday.

Fun times, the battles especially - seemed more clear with day-time setting and in IMAX 3D (back in my home country currently). Other than that, nothing special or too memorable. Doesn't hold a candle to the first film. However, Boyega was good.

And what they did to Newt has got to be one of the dumbest and most ridiculous plot points I've ever seen on a film. I am still trying to comprehend how they came up with SUCH idea for THAT character.

6/10

 

[Grootster]

Pacific Rim: Uprising Review, Part 3

(I actually typed this up back on Friday, I was going to post it yesterday, but I never got around to it.)

As for my overall comparison to the first film, I'm still really on the fence, and I might be for a while. There were elements of Uprising I liked better, mainly the leads being a huge step up (which alone has the potential to tip it over the edge in my book). I'd argue the pacing might make this a more re-watchable film (although this is NOT to say the first film isn't rewatchable). On the other hand, I love seeing the start of any film series, and the first film has that novelty. The first film definitely stands on it's own better. It's a very tricky comparison.

I would also argue the first film has a bit more passion in it, it's clear that Del Toro loved the Kaiju and Mecha genres and put his hear and soul into making a sincere love letter to them. Uprising feels more self-aware in comparison. Not as much as it could have been, but it felt like it was poking fun at the genres in a couple places. Honestly, I have no problem with either approach. In fact, I sort of feel like a sequel might have needed to be this way. I don't think they could continue making sequels using the more grounded and played-straight approach of the first film. It would get old after a while.

More than anything I just think it's a great, worthy sequel. It's not really a "better" contest in my mind. It did everything I expect a good sequel to do, it continued the story in new, creative directions and built on the universe. People will complain about it being "different", and I think that's fine. I'd argue a good sequel should be different. I don't want the same thing rehashed endlessly. Empire Strikes Back is very different in tone and even visuals than A New Hope, and it's considered one of the greatest sequels ever. I don't know if I'd put Uprising quite that high, but I do think it will be recognized as a good sequel as it settles in fans' minds.

 

[Grootster]

The first film had a strong theme of teamwork that I've always thought was handled very well. I didn't quite pick up on that in Uprising. I need to see it again, but I didn't really notice any kind of overall theme in the movie.

I don't think a movie necessarily needs to have a running theme or message to be good; an interesting premise, story, and characters (even things like soundtrack and humor) is mainly what I look at. I suppose I judge movies more on entertainment value than any kind of deeper life-lesson.

On the other hand I've never been very good at detecting themes in movies, most of the time I probably don't even pick up on them.

Did anyone detect a theme in Pacific Rim Uprising?

 

[Mr.T]

Man oh man just got back from a 3D viewing with the family and am I disappointed. I rewatched PR last night and absolutely loved it. This film almost has the Robocop 1 & 2 to Robocop 3 transition. I couldn’t get away from the Transformers/Power Rangers thoughts floating in my brain. Charlie Hunnam was forgettable in the 1st but at least acknowledge the Riley Beckett character, he did “save” the world in the 1st movie.

Absolutely hated the cadets and their story.

Hated the weightlessness of the new Jaegers.

Really liked Boyega, Eastwood was decent. Loved where the story went with the Doctor.

So looks like a part 3 is coming. Will wait for a video release for that one...

3/10

 

[DarthSkywalker]

It's upto $150 million WW at the BO already.

When you say already, how do you mean? Because it already opened in China, and apparently while being a solid opening, the WOM is not good.

http://deadline.com/2018/03/pacific...tional-box-office-weekend-results-1202353014/

The China launch number for the Steven S DeKnight-helmed sci-fi sequel is on par with Black Panther from two weeks ago, and that film only just crossed $100M in Middle Kingdom dollars on Thursday. Word of mouth is understood to be pretty harsh, not boding well for monster/bot legs there — the Saturday-Sunday drop was also on par with BP at about 36%. And, Ready Player One is on deck. In brighter news, the IMAX China opening topped Black Panther for the biggest-ever March launch weekend at $7.6M on 507 screens.

Outside China, Korea was the lead play on Uprising at $6.9M which is decent, but not great. The opening is in line with Kong: Skull Island. Malaysia got off to a very good start to track above comps, as did Indonesia with the biggest opening day of all time for a Legendary movie.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

When you say already, how do you mean? Because it already opened in China, and apparently while being a solid opening, the WOM is not good.

http://deadline.com/2018/03/pacific...tional-box-office-weekend-results-1202353014/

Well for the opening weekend that is quite good, but didn’t realise it had already opened in China.

 

[moviedoors]

It’s was about what I was expecting. It was fine. I was delighted every time Scrapper was on screen. He was just delightful

 

[Mr.T]

The tonal shift bugged me a helluva lot. I love the original PR, so I probably should’ve been more level headed about going in and expecting another GDT type film. Probably would’ve enjoyed it more....

 

[Doctor Jones]

Man, this movie sucks. There were some interesting ideas and even a good twist there in the middle, but instead of going further it just settles on them, making the expanding of any ideas come up short. It all was executed very surface level. This movie was poorly directed too. Goddamn. It's the most basic stuff. No tension, no thrills, no inspired moments. I don't mind the idea of it having an anime, cartoon sensibility, but this is no different than any generic blockbuster. By the third act I was wondering what I wanted to eat for dinner.

Boyega was good, so was the girl, and I liked the idea of the next generation of pilots, but it just doesn't amount to much. The thing is, I have no interesting in talking about this movie even to critique it. It's not worth it. It just bores me talking about it.

It makes me appreciate the first film more. It has it's problems but I always really liked it and it's a damn solid movie. The caring and vision comes through, I like all the characters, the world and it maintains its interesting mythology with all of that. Even if Raleigh wasn't the most interesting character, I at least gave a **** about what was happening with him. Here I couldn't.

I just don't give a **** and I'm probably gonna forget about this in a week. The first movie was fun, this just made me feel empty.

 

[The Big G]

Oddly enough I enjoyed it...more than the movie had any right too.


Boyega carried this film. Like Im sure i would have hated it if it wasn't for him.

Also props for the little girl not being annoying like the girl from Transformers 5