Collectively, the Transformers
films represent a wasted opportunity, though not in the way that many would
assume. They could have been big budget
renditions of Japanese Super Robot films, thus serving as a wonderful
introduction to the genre for American audiences. Alas, they were content with being run-of-the
mill summer blockbusters. If only their
considerable production values could be employed by someone with a bigger
imagination and a better story to tell. Luckily,
cinematic fantasist Guillermo Del Toro has an affinity for Kaiju films. What’s more, he has channeled that love into
his latest project, Pacific Rim.
Pacific Rim
depicts a world racked by war. Giant
monsters known as Kaiju emerge from beneath earth’s oceans via dimensional
portals. Mankind responds to this strange
new threat by constructing giant war robots called Jaegers. Each Jaeger is controlled by a pair of human pilots
whose minds are melded via a neural bridge.
When the war appears to be unwinnable, a legendary Jaeger is resurrected
and handed over to a pair of unproven heroes who are charged with turning the
tide of the conflict.
The trailer begins as an interesting collage of monster
movie tropes. Mobs of horrified civilians
run for dear life as giant creatures destroy everything in their path. The first glimpses of the Kaiju are shrouded
in fog. These moments vaguely recall Godzilla 98 and Cloverfield, though they are rendered much more competently than
either. At the 45 second mark, a glossy
sci-fi element is introduced. At this
point, the imagery feels more akin to the sensibilities of James Cameron and
Ridley Scott. Pilots sport futuristic
armor and don exo-suits, which control the Jeagers marionette style. The Jaegers
themselves are reminiscent of Gigantor.
Once the Jaeger and Kaiju are shown locking horns, the
trailer unleashes a barrage of thrilling images. Human pilots undergo defensive tactics
training, complete with katana swords. A
jaeger is shown palming its own fist, as though itching for a fight. Another falls to its knees in the snow, AT-AT
walker style. In the coup de grace, one
delivers a rocket powered punch to an enemy.
The closing image is of a roaring Kaiju, with glowing quills/spikes a la
Godzilla. What’s most satisfying is that
all of these images, while taking place in darkness and fog, are wonderfully coherent.
Guillermo Del Toro is one of the most imaginative directors working
today. He also happens to have a firm
grasp on the language of filmmaking. He
knows how to communicate his ideas to a mass audience. That he didn’t settle for merely adapting a
familiar manga or anime is telling. He’d
rather craft his very own homage to beloved genre, rather than simply coasting
on name brand recognition. He doesn’t want
to merely capitalize on a niche. He also
wants to put his own unique stamp on a genre.
Good for him, and hopefully even better for the audience.
I was watching this for the fourth time the other day and around the part when she says "Double Event", I noticed that the voice is Glados. I googled it and it turned out I wasn't the first, nor will I be the last.
ReplyDelete