Pacific Rim (2013)

This would make a good video game. As a matter of fact, this should have been a video game instead.

In the near future, specifically near 2013, an alien force emerging from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean attacked the Earth resulting in millions of people killed. These monsters are called Kaijus which literally translates as 'monsters' in Japanese. In an attempt to turn the tide against the invaders, the human race decided to settle all their differences and unite and build monstrous robots of their own called Jaegers, which is a German word for 'hunter'. The Jaegers prove effective but only during the first part of the war. The kaijus eventually learned how to properly combat the Jaegers and not only that, they have been appearing more often than usual to the disadvantage of the Jaegers. A former pilot of a Jaeger is called back to duty in hopes of finally ridding the world from the kaijus.

The concept for the film is definitely an interesting one. The idea of monsters coming from another dimension and using the bottom of the ocean as the gate to earth is new to me. What makes it more interesting is the reason why these monsters are invading earth in the first place. It makes you wonder who really are the rightful inhabitants of this planet. Guillermo del Toro and writer Travis Beacham made a great film in paper I presume but the final product was less than great but more than okay.

I'll start off with the good things in the movie.

As I have mentioned, the concept for this movie is really interesting. Other than that, the themes present are also worth praising. This is a great and exaggerated example that when humanity is losing against nature, then that will be the only time that everyone will be united for a cause. In this case, when we are on the brink of extinction against monsters who aim to colonize the earth, only then will we start cooperating with one another. This is further shown in the concept of having two people to pilot a Jeager instead of one because of neurological strain. One person would not be able to handle and control a Jaeger unless he/she has another person to share the strain with. Only then will controlling the robot be successful. The movie talks about trust, bond, and connection we have with one another. Sacrifice and love is also present but not entirely the romantic kind of love, rather, the love you give a person out of respect and admiration.

Being a sci-fi film, the success of the movie would also rely on the effectiveness of CGI and editing. Proud to say that the movie did not disappoint. I really love the design for both the Jaegers and the Kaijus. The Jaegers, or the robots, seem to have a character of their own. It's a given they have their own nationality depending on the country that built them but other than that, the way they move and fight in battle is very enticing and jaw-dropping. The pilots and the robot are synchronized and sometimes, you would even forget that there are human beings controlling it. The kaijus on the other hand are my favorite. Guillermo del Toro himself said he didn't want to make the monsters look post-modern. He wanted them to be different and unique. I like how each monster has a characteristic of their own and how each of them is inspired by an animal such as sharks and gorillas. The film is very pleasing to the eyes its grandeur would never go unnoticed. Of course, there were a few mishaps as well. One that really bugged me off is the fact that ajority of the fight between the Jaegers and the Kaijus are during the dark and when it's raining. I don't know if they really did it on purpose with the idea that monsters come out at night but it did not work with me. It made the kaijus more menacing in a way but you would not be able to fully appreciate its design unless they're well lighted. There were also instances where the scenes can be very messy and chaotic. But I guess you couldn't blame them since it's a monster and a robot fighting after all.

Since I started talking already about the bad parts, might as well continue.

One major disappointment in this film is it prioritized action over characterization. If you've been reading a few of my reviews before this, you would know how specific I am with the characterization. This is not the movie to watch when you're looking for character depth and development. Even in 3D, the characters are nothing but cardboard cut outs given lines and asked to deliver them. What really irks me off is the fact that it teases you at the early part of the film about the characters. It gives you hope that you would have that connection with the character but it leaves you hanging until the end. On the bright side, it has some memorable characters, but the bad news is that these memorable characters don't even have the lead roles. Charlie Day, Ron Perlman, and Burn Gorman who serves as the comic relief of the movie outshine the lead characters. 

The acting was mediocre. They're good at crying though but the deliveries of some lines were off and felt stiff. However, Idris Elba, who played the commanding officer, was really good. I wouldn't want him for a commanding officer if ever the world really came to this. He knows his character and he is able to act it well. He doesn't need to tell you who he is. You just know that he is the guy who you wouldn't want to mess with. 

Overall, the movie is great in terms of visual appeal and action sequences but fails miserably in the characterization department. The movie can be a bit draggy in some parts but it would eventually know how to wake you up when you end up dozing off.

Rating: 3/5

Monsters University (2013)

Needs more schooling.

Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are the best of friends and partners for life. But of course that wasn't always the case. Flashback to when they were younger, college to be exact. When Mike and Sulley first saw each other, the only mutual understanding between them is to hate one another. Hence, their college life began. Flash further back, it focuses on Mike and how he always wanted to be the best scarer ever. Things don't go smoothly for him in Monsters University as he has to prove himself to everyone that he is capable of being a scarer.

There was so much excitement the moment this movie was first announced. The 2001 film Monsters Inc. Is one of Pixar's most prized jewels and I bet they thought that an additional jewel wouldn't hurt. Well... let's just say it stumbled a lot and got a few bruises on the way. However, I would choose Monsters University any day compared to the last film Pixar released which is the 2012 film Brave. Ironically enough, both films currently have a 78% rating in Rotten Tomatoes.

When Pixar officially announced Monsters University, I figured it carried two burdens on its shoulders. The first one would have to be its audience. Yes, this is an animated film intended to be watched by children. How about the children at heart though? One particular sector in the demographics that will absolutely be watching Monsters Univ. are the young adults or specifically college students. The children who watched Monsters Inc. back in 2001 will surely not miss out on a prequel of a movie that was part of their childhood. So pleasing the children and the young adults is a difficult task that Pixar definitely must have considered. The second burden that I thought of primarily concerns the plot itself. In the trailers, it is established that Mike and Sulley were not on good terms before they became the best of friends. Thing is, even before watching this movie, majority, if not all, of the entire human population might have watched Monsters Inc. already and know that they are friends. So the question that a viewer has on his mind when about the watch the film is that "How are you gonna tell the story and how are you gonna make me stay and watch?" Because technically speaking, the entire movie is spoiled to us already because of the first film. The latter of the problems I mentioned should have been carefully thought of because as I was watching the movie, I found myself checking for the time. Definitely not a good sign when you're watching a movie.

So was it a bad film? No it wasn't but Pixar could have definitely have done better. I appreciate how the movie makes the viewers, especially the old ones, nauseous of the first film and makes them go "Oh look! It's..." during the movie. I also like how they put certain twists and unexpected situations that negates the first film but explains it in the latter part of the film. It offers great historical background on the characters of Mike and Sulley. You get to know more about the two of them and why they act like they do in Monsters Inc. 

Moreover, certain themes and subject are also present in the movie such as the idea of false hope versus chasing your dreams despite all odds. Would you fight and pursue or give up and find something better? This is probably one of those rare films that tell you to give up something which you're not good at. Majority of the films keep on telling you to just keep on believing in yourself no matter what the people around you say. Idealism vs. Realism.

One of the things I look for in animated films is the character development. There must always be a character development or else there would not be an emotional hook to the audience. Monsters University manages to execute great character development not only in the two protagonists but also in the supporting characters. It deserves a round of applause since it's quite rare for the supporting characters to also undergo development. Now with regards to the emotional hook I mentioned, I find it weird that despite the character development in the film, it lacked the emotional drive present in the previous works of Pixar. It didn't have a single scene where it made me go "Awwwwwwww..." (hope you read this the way I wanted it to sound)

In conclusion, the movie despite some shortcomings is still great and manages to bring out laughs and enjoyment from the audience. Just needed a better way to keep the viewers interested not only in certain parts of the film but as a whole.

Rating: 3/5

P.S.

Before Monsters University started, a Pixar short "The Blue Umbrella" was really cute and entertaining. As a matter of fact, 6 minutes of it gave me more feels than the movie I came for.