It's been five years since the world got its first big taste of a Hollywood "Giant Robot vs Giant Monster" showdown with Guillermo del Toro's "Pacific Rim" - and that science fiction adventure flick dared to present concepts seen in Japanese mecha anime and monster films meshed into one single universe - where humanity stood in the brink of defeat against the invading Kaiju coming from deep under the Breach. To combat against these monsters, mankind created monsters of their own in the Jaegers - giant robots that could only be manned properly by two pilots who shared their thoughts and memories together via a "neural handshake". As seen in the events of the 2013 original - humanity won and defeated the Kaiju invaders, although without great sacrifice involved in the process.
Fast forward to 2018, and the adventure continues with "Pacific Rim: Uprising" - which now falls under the direction of Stephen S. DeKnight and starring "Star Wars" movies star John Boyega as Jake Pentecost - the son of Idris Elba's Stacker Pentecost from the first film. Much like the first film - this has giant monsters attacking mankind once again with humanity once again ready to fight them, yet there is a twist involved that adds new conflict and struggle that the Pan-Pacific Defense Corps must deal with in order to survive. Thanks to Columbia Pictures Philippines and United International Pictures Philippines, I got to see this sequel and thoroughly enjoyed it. How good was it? Check out my thoughts after the jump below.
Set ten years after the events of the first film, Pacific Rim: Uprising finds us in the unsurprising position of following a new generation of heroes that take up the mantle of defending humanity from the Kaiju threat. With the Pacific Rim Breach closed thanks to the efforts of Raleigh Beckett and Mako Mori, Earth has entered a state of peace and rebuilding of the destroyed cities has been the priority. However that does not mean the Pan-Pacific Defense Corps have remained idle - focusing on strengthening their Jaeger program and enlisting new cadets and Ranger pilots to their cause - preparing for the event of the Kaiju and their masters the Precursors from possibly returning.
Among the Ranger pilots who reluctantly returns to active duty is Jake Pentecost - the biological son of the late Stacker Pentecost and adopted brother of Mako Mori. Having lived a carefree life as a scavenger escaping his responsibilities - fate brings Jake back to the PPDC, reuniting with his adopted sister as well as his former partners Nate Lambert and Jules Reyes. Jake assumes the responsibility of training new recruits like the young and tomboyish Amara Namani. Unfortunately for them the training routine is cut short as new threats emerge that see the Kaiju invasion return. It's up to Jake and the rest of the PPDC to put a stop to this and emerge as the new generation of Jaeger pilots humanity needs to fight back.
Definitely a worthy successor to the 2013 original, Pacific Rim: Uprising breaths new life to the franchise and adds some likable new protagonists led by John Boyega and Scott Eastwood. Stephen S. DeKnight doesn't scrimp in taking us for some awesome Jaeger vs Kaiju action, and also adds a sense of legacy to the sequel by bringing back Rinko Kikuchi as Mako Mori, as well as Charlie Day and Burn Gorman as scientist buddies Newton and Hermann. There’s also the welcomed presence of younger rookies led by Cailee Spaeny who plays Amara Namani - and of course the new Jaeger units are just lovely sights. Gipsy Avenger, the successor and nanesake to Gipsy Danger - leads the pack and fights new threats that are born out of the Kaiju. There’s a bit of a twist in this sequel in that there are also Jaeger vs Jaeger battles - and to tell the reason why would spoil the story entirely. If anything, the sequel is your typical follow up and doesn’t eclipse del Toro’s original - but it certainly gives us hope for more from the franchise going forward in the future!
Pacific Rim: Uprising is now playing in theaters c/o UIP Philippines & Columbia Pictures Philippines.
Rating - 4/5
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