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Pacific Rim: High-tech anime-inspired action

The “Mecha” or human-controlled mechanical robots are impressive
The “Mecha” or human-controlled mechanical robots are impressive
The “Mecha” or human-controlled mechanical robots are impressive

Acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro returns with a Sci-Fi action adventure 

When legions of monstrous alien creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end.

High-Tech Defences

To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots.

But as the enemy grows more powerful with each attack, even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenceless in the face of the relentless Kaiju.

Can ‘tiny’ humanity triumph over titanic odds?
Can ‘tiny’ humanity triumph over titanic odds?

Unlikely Heroes

On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes—a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi) — who are teamed to drive a seemingly obsolete Jaeger.

Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting aquatic apocalypse.

Renowned Director & Cast

Pacific Rim stars Charlie Hunnam (of TV’s “Sons of Anarchy”), Idris Elba (Thor), Rinko Kikuchi (Babel), Charlie Day (Horrible Bosses), Rob Kazinsky (True Blood), and Ron Perlman (the Hellboy films).

Del Toro’s behind-the-scenes team includes Academy Award-winning Director of Photography Guillermo Navarro (of Pan’s Labyrinth).

The giant Jaegers are controlled by two co-pilots, simultaneously
The giant Jaegers are controlled by two co-pilots, simultaneously

Giant Monsters vs. Giant Robots

Director Guillermo del Toro relates, “It was a project that encompassed every single thing on my wish list, visually, atmospherically and emotionally… an unstoppable, thrilling adventure about human pilots and giant robots up against alien monsters, the likes of which we’ve never seen.”

Producer Thomas Tull offers, “Just that description, ‘giant monsters versus giant robots’, gives you a sense of the scope and scale, not to mention the action and fun. And there is also an element of mystery in that we don’t know why the Kaiju are attacking. What do they want and how is humanity going to react?”

Devil in the Detail

“Part of the allure of the ocean is that it hides its secrets so well. There are so many myths about sea monsters and giant serpents and all the other things people suppose are down there. I think there is something elementally terrifying about what can come out of this blackness,” says screenwriter Travis Beachem.

Producer Jon Jashni adds, “He [del Toro] is encyclopaedic about the Kaiju and ‘Mecha’ cultures, making him uniquely qualified to capture the most accessible and entertaining facets of both.”

Smallest Yet Greatest

Nevertheless, it was essential to the filmmakers that the magnitude of the action be balanced with the human stories that are at the heart of the film. Jashni notes, “A core theme of the movie is the indomitability of the human spirit, no matter how titanic the threat.”

“We want people to be taken by the spectacle and the sound and fury,” del Toro says, “but it is all meant to illuminate the courage of the central characters. Physically, the human beings are the smallest thing in the movie, but their spirit is the largest thing. They show you the makings of real heroes.”

The film will be released in 2D and 3D in select theatres, and in IMAX.

Some of the scenes appear to be right out of a Sci-Fi anime
Some of the scenes appear to be right out of a Sci-Fi anime

Pacific Rim [PG 13]

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Rob Kazinsky and Ron Perlman
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Run Time: 131 min
Release: Jul 11

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