Yes I know I’m about a month behind as Pacific Rim was released 10 years ago on July 12, 2013. Well, I absolutely LOVED this movie, more than I ever thought I would. In fact, I gave the movie 4.5/5 in my review and have rewatched it half a dozen times since. I’m not even a monster movie aficionado, but there’s something about Guillermo del Toro‘s Kaiju vs Jaeger robot movie that’s so massively entertaining.

Check out the trailer to refresh your memory…

Now, I’m still waiting for GDT to make good on this promise he made on Twitter (when it was still called that) back in July.:

We ARE planning a little something something for Pacific Rim’s TENTH (!) anniversary. It will not be precisely on the date but itbis Fun!

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) July 8, 2023

Now, I don’t know what that surprise would be, hopefully, it’s NOT another sequel as I didn’t even bother seeing Pacific Rim Uprising. (which wasn’t directed by Del Toro). Never mind that, I think the original is darn near perfect in my eyes, and for this appreciation post, I’m going to list 10 reasons why I LOVE this movie.

1) Hit the ground running with compelling exposition 

I’m not always into the use of VO narration, but I like the exposition by the lead character Raleigh Becket, voiced by the underrated Charlie Hunnam. It personalizes the story with his own experience of the first attack, which then drives him to become a pilot for the Jaeger (German for the hunter) robots created to destroy the Kaiju monsters. It’s also refreshing that this movie isn’t based on an existing IP. Per IMDb trivia, screenwriter Travis Beacham got the idea for the movie while walking along the California coastline on a foggy morning. The shape of the pier looked like a creature rising from the water, and he imagined a large robot waiting on the shore to battle it.

2) Terrific world-building 

It’s crucial that every fantasy film of this scale has a tight construction of the imaginary world, especially in science fiction. As someone who’s never even heard of the term Jaeger or Kaiju beforehand, Del Toro did an astounding job immersing viewers like me in the story and characters. The movie explains that it takes two pilots to control each of those Jaegers, whose minds are locked in a neural bridge called ‘The Drift’. Thus, the deeper the bond between those who are drift-compatible, the better they fight. The way they depict ‘The Drift’ is cool but also gives you an emotional connection to the characters that transcend this to something more than just a big dumb action movie.

3) Strong and diverse lead trio

I’ve mentioned Charlie Hunnam who’s perfectly cast as a tough guy with a heart Jaeger pilot Raleigh. He’s so charismatic with masculine, virile energy but he can be vulnerable and emotional when the occasion calls for it. He and Rinko Kikuchi‘s Mako have a lively chemistry fueled by physical attraction and curiosity, and I like how they didn’t immediately get off on the right foot, but you know there is an instant connection the second they meet. The training scene is practically brimming with sexual tension.

I’m a huge fan of Idris Elba and he’s got such a commanding presence as Stacker Pentecost (one of the best screen names ever!). He’s got that strong leadership quality as well as a caring, sensitive side as Mako’s adoptive dad–some of my favorite scenes are between him and Mako. Of course, there’s that memorable ‘cancelin’ the apocalypse’ speech that echoes Bill Pullman’s version in Independence Day!

4) Awesome supporting cast ensemble

I pretty much love every actor in this movie!! Del Toro regular Ron Perlman is always a hoot to watch, and he’s got some really hilarious and wacky scenes here that made you go WHOA! Perlman + Burn Gorman and Charlie Day who play two goofy scientists make up the three comic-relief trio.

Clifton Collins Jr. also makes an appearance as one of the tech guys, and it’s fun to see a set of diverse tertiary characters who play the Jaeger pilots.

5) Fantastic Soundtrack!

One of the best things about the movie is the spectacular SCORE by Ramin Djawadi. It’s since become one of my fave soundtracks of all time and this rousing music is great to listen to while you’re working out!

6) Astounding aesthetics from set design to costumes

The meticulous amount of details of the set pieces is impressive. Each of these Jaeger has a name, my favorite is called Gypsy Danger – the only remaining analog robot, and in one interview, del Toro said it’s meant to resemble a WWII fighter jet calling it “a mixture of deco skyscraper and John Wayne.”

I was in awe of the production design by Carol Spier and Andrew Neskoromny from start to finish. There’s a scene where Raleigh’s jaw practically dropped when he entered the Shatterdome, this massive factory where they build, repair, and launch all the Jaegers.  Well, my jaw dropped as well, I was like ‘How did they build THAT?’ The movie’s VFX was done by ILM, led by Photoshop creator John Knoll as its main supervisor.

I love the costume design of the sleek Drivesuit the pilot wears, designed by Kate Hawley, which made everyone look extra cool. It’s got that shiny, protective body armor but seems flexible and breathable enough.

7) Meticulously-designed creatures + robots

The design of the Kaiju monsters is simply amazing. With the glowing blue blood, bony plates/scales on the Kaiju exteriors look like they’ve been modeled after real-life massive beasts like rhinos. While I didn’t care for any Transformers movies, I find the Jaegers utterly fascinating! It helps that Del Toro often shows the Jaeger pilots during the extensive fight scenes, so you never lose sight of the humans that power these enormous metal beasts and their struggles to save others from Kaiju threats.

The Mexican auteur is known for his humanist approach to his films. As the case with his Oscar-winning movie about a wooden puppet Pinocchio, there are elements here about human frailty.

8) Emotionally-resonant story…

I really did not expect to be emotionally moved by a monster movie but I’m glad that Del Toro actually gives us characters with genuinely-moving backstory. There’s Raleigh losing his brother to a Kaiju, and Mako’s poignant flashback scene while she drifts with Raleigh. The extensive memory scene is wonderfully realized, with Mana Ashida stealing scenes as young Mako. The way Stacker rescues Mako plays out like a superhero movie, I practically clap when little Mako goes all wide-eyed seeing Idris Elba emerge from inside the Jaeger, woot!!

9). … but there’s plenty of humor too!

The stakes are high as the Kaijus could wipe out humanity, but the tone is never doom and gloom. Beacham’s script is filled with funny moments, mostly courtesy of Burn Gorman and Charlie Day as the two bickering scientists. Typically I just want these science mumbo-jumbo scenes to be done quickly and get to the action, but I really enjoy their scenes! Day’s high-pitched voice and unbridled enthusiasm as a ‘Kaiju groupie’ are such a hoot instead of annoying and Gorman’s grumpy mannerism is hilarious!

10) Such a visual treat!

With a budget of $180 million, one would expect something pretty spectacular and Pacific Rim delivers! The visuals are stunning to look at, thanks to another Mexican talent Guillermo Navarro, who collaborated with Del Toro on Hell Boy and Pan’s Labyrinth. The colors are vibrant with brilliant neon that really pops, so you can see every detail of the creatures and their surroundings. Apparently, this was the first time the two Guillermos use digital cameras.

But the secret sauce of the movie is its masterful depiction of scale that help viewers grasp just how enormous these Jaegers are. The first time Gypsy Danger is launched from the Shatterdome, it was fun to see the robot behemoth tower over everything on the vast ocean, making helicopters look like tiny bugs flying around her.

In summary – it’s a solid creature feature story from a visionary director

The film certainly lives by its motto ‘Go Big or Go Extinct’ as the scale is just massive, yet it doesn’t feel bloated. Del Toro is a visionary filmmaker who always puts 110% into everything he does and it shows. Yes, it’s big, loud, and bombastic, as one would expect from a monster vs robot movie, but it’s also got plenty of heart. It’s definitely not a case of style over substance as there is a compelling narrative beneath the action spectacle.

At one point, Charlie Day’s character exclaims, ‘That’s two-thousand five-hundred tons of awesome!’ I certainly echo his sentiment about this movie. If Del Toro decides to re-release this in theaters, I’d be up for a rewatch on the big screen!

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Hope you enjoy my PACIFIC RIM tribute, let me know what YOU think of the movie!