Genre: Action | Adventure | SciFi
Directors: Guillermo Del Toro
Writers: Guillermo Del Toro, Travis Beacham
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 131 minutes
Summary:
When legions of monstrous 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. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. 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 legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting apocalypse
Admittedly, I didn’t see Pacific Rim in the theaters. Not because I didn’t want to, but I just couldn’t get there. I felt that I had gotten a really good experience by reading the book that was released (review here) and was thrilled that Lillian’s review seemed to echo all the good feelings that I had anticipated about the movie (her review here), and in watching the Blu-ray I was completely in agreement with her review and star distribution.
This movie is great fun and creative and a great demonstration of home stereo power, but the special features are a complete win for this buy. Having not seen the movie in the theaters and having read the book months earlier I was so completely ready to send the world away so that I could FINALLY watch the movie. Once I did, I actually watched it again with Guillermo Del Toro’s commentary. I cannot remember the last time I watched a movie back to back like that. What made it possible is the contagious passion that Del Toro has for this film. He never lets up the whole movie. I don’t recall one moment where I could actually hear the movie through Del Toro’s commentary. He’s constantly talking, sharing, indulging in what a labor of love this was for him, and it’s awesome.
His love leaks over into the special features disc where there is an interactive book of designs that ends in a video of him working with the special effects team. His attention to detail is astounding. It’s his specific vision and the amazing artistic team that made this movie feel as real as it does.
While the deleted scenes do not add anything to the movie (hence the reason for their deletion) the blooper real is exceptionally cute. It’s a true test of skill that these actors get anything done once their giggle box is turned over.
Here are the Blu-ray and DVD special features for Pacific Rim.
BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS
“Pacific Rim” Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack contain the following special features:
Audio Commentary by Guillermo del Toro
The Directors Notebook
Drift Space
The Digital Artistry of Pacific Rim
The Shatterdome
Focus Points
Deleted Scenes
Blooper Reel“Pacific Rim” 2-Disc Standard Definition DVD Special Edition contains the following special features”
Audio Commentary by Guillermo del Toro
Drift Space
The Digital Artistry of Pacific Rim
The Shatterdome
Focus Points
Deleted Scenes
Blooper Reel
Take an awesome movie, release it in Hi-Def and pack it with awesome special features and you have a winning purchase on your hands. I highly recommend owning Pacific Rim.
I give Pacific Rim: Blu-Ray Combo Pack Five out of Five Stars.
Pacific Rim: Blu-Ray Combo Pack is available from Amazon! Here’s a link!
[AMAZONPRODUCT=B008JFUR10]
