Guillermo del Toro's "Pacific Rim" surprised a lot of people (myself included) by being more than a clobbering, CGI giant-robot fest and something driven by empathetic characters and engaging scenarios.
Four years after the mega-hit comes Steven S. DeKnight's "Pacific Rim: Uprising", which jumps ten years farther into the future, beyond the big "Battle of the Breach", leaving the saga to a new group of Jaeger-puppeteers and new, colossal threats. For all intents and purposes, the sequel (penned by DeKnight; Emily Carmichael; and Kira Snyder) exceeds the first film's wonderment and takes the concept to clever and refreshing heights.
Though Charlie Hunnam's Raleigh Becket and Idris Elba's Stacker Pentecost aren't on hand for this outing, fans of the original film will be comforted to know that Mako Mori (Kinko Kikudi) has a significant, supporting role. Otherwise "Uprising'"s (new and old) cast consists of quirky but heroic Hermann Gottlieb (Burn Gorman); nervous and enigmatic Newton Geiszler (Charlie Day); supportive and alluring Jules Reyes (Adri Arjoni); demanding and determined Liwen Shao (Tian Jing); and resentful but capable Cadet Viktoria (Ivana Sakhno). There's also the film's leading lady, spunky and inventive Amara Namani (Cailee Spaeney); accompanied by the commanding, by-the-book Nate Lambert (Scott Eastwood, resembling his dad to a startling tee); and Petecost's sometimes freewheeling yet anguished son, Jake (John Boyega). The latter eventually leads the courageous way against the gigantic problems that await, at first struggling to find his mettle, but then embracing his cause with respectable gusto.
Young Pentecost's somber refocus is the script's steady motif, but his relationship with Lambert is also important, as well as his mentoring of Namani, who must prove herself every step of the way. There are rocky moments that rise from out the various intermingling, and things do get heated, but as del Toro's film taught us, teamwork is essential when it comes to monster fighting, or for that matter, any avenue of life. To its credit, "Uprising" doesn't forget this purposeful notion.
As the teamwork builds, we're fed plenty of thunderous flash, and as far as computerized calamity goes, many will find the results arresting and therefore, fulfilling. However, with hardware and monsters as massive as those depicted, nations would fall under their impetuous pounding within seconds, thus defeating the purpose of any Jaeger intervention. For better or worse, "Uprising'"s big, final battle occurs on congested, urban turf and for a period far too long to remain credible. The first film (and the same can be said of most Toho, DC and Marvel flicks) could be blamed for this approach as well, but "Uprising" hurls it to novel exaggeration.
There are, however, quiet, philosophical moments that counter that exaggeration. They give the sequel a benevolent brush of "Ultraman" "Space Giants" and "Johnny Sokko", where sacrifice, bravery and honor were always at play. That "Uprising" makes use of these aspects designates it to a more special and human category than most of its building-breaking, cling-clanging competition.
The film also twists the kaiju threat in a unique way, so that it becomes a kind of "Real Steal" goliathon midway through. An air of mystery and betrayal shines through this plot device, though its resourcefulness might prove a hard act to follow.
Perhaps, in this respect, the next chapter should throw caution to the wind and dispatch a giant-monster battle royal to rival all others. The "Pacific Rim" technology could even reintroduce King Kong and Godzilla's mechanical counterparts. I sure wouldn't mind seeing those simulations in the brawling, Legends Films brew, and as far as extended universes go, that kind of crossover would guarantee ticket sales from here to Timbuktu.
With the excitement rising on the new "Pacific Rim", so is the notion that Scott Eastwood might take on the role of Logan/Wolverine. Hugh Jackman's apparent departure from the role (alas) would leave the part open for a newcomer, but only a select few could even hope to fill the bill. I do believe Eastwood would work well for the transition. Playing Logan would also further establish him as a new, leading action star. Then again, I do believe the writing is already on the wall in that regard.
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