Pacific Rim Review - 3 Stars

The very creative director Guillermo del Toro pays tribute to the Godzilla movies of the 50’s and 60’s in “Pacific Rim”.  The story begins with a crisp set up.  Something happens under the oceans of the world.  Gigantic prehistoric monsters begin rising from the seas destroying the great cities of the world.  The world fights back — banding together to create giant robots capable of fighting and killing the monsters.  The machines require two humans with the ability to meld their brains.  At first the machines appear to win, but the monsters grow larger and multiply. The robot program has one slim final chance.  Idris Elba plays the military officer who oversees the program.  Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi the team hoping to prove their worth.  Other subplots include a pair of zany scientists who think they have the answer and Ron Pearlman (aka Hellboy) as a black market dealer in monster remains.  The plot sounds silly but del Toro takes “Pacific Rim” a level beyond.    He pays tribute to the Japanese monsters of the 50’s — many of them made in response to the horrors of World War Two.   The usual cliches feel almost reverant.  I think the power of creativity and intent takes this beyond the usual.  Does it deliver what it promises?  Tribute to Godzilla.  Is it entertaining?  Has integrity.  Is it worth the price of admission?  Not deep or intellectual but admirable just the same.