Review: Pacific Rim Uprising Is The Best Power Rangers Movie Around
- Mar 22, 2018
- 2 min read
I entered the cinema expecting to see a poorly made film filled with cheap effects and bad acting, the literal definition of a cash-in. What I got was something not too far from that, but not something awful either.
Ten years have passed since The Rift was closed. The world is in relative peace. Delinquent son of Stacker Pentecost, Jake (John Boyega) finds himself on the wrong end of the law. He is given a choice, return to the Jaeger program or prison. He chooses the former. While the war might be over, something, somewhere, is plotting. Thus we have a very confused, very messy and kind of enjoyable film about big robots fighting other big robots and also some big monsters. If you're expecting anything more, you're in for a disappointment.
Uprising is by no means a good movie. If it was a serious film, it would be unwatchable. Fortunately it's so absurd, so over the top, that it's surprisingly enjoyable. While it lacks the touch of Guillermo Del Toro, unmistakably so. It lacks the weight, quite literally, the prior film had tonnage behind every hit, and it has neither the interesting world, the nice visuals or the colourful characters. It is, in essence, a long episode of Power Rangers. It's totally and utterly dead in terms of depth, character and the best scenes are those they pull from the first movie. But that's not why you're here.
However, in terms of big robot fun, it gets a pass. While the 'emotional' beats are more mechanical than the Jaegers, and, aside from Boyega, the acting is pretty weak, there is an undeniable fun to be found in the action scenes. While they push the limits of ones suspension of belief to extremes, and they're significantly less enjoyable than the last time around, they satisfy the inner nine year old.
I don't recommend you see Pacific Rim Uprising in theaters. However, as a Sunday afternoon movie, it'll keep you entertained for its duration. It's a cliche filled blast that feels more corporate than actual companies but it's not totally awful.
Comments