Pacific Rim Uprising makes its way to 4k and Blu-Ray next Tuesday. Packed with Robot vs. Monster action, the film takes everything that was enjoyable about the first and throws it out the window.
“John Boyega (Star Wars series) is the rebellious Jake Pentecost, a once-promising Jaeger pilot whose legendary father gave his life to secure humanity’s victory against the monstrous “Kaiju”. Now an even more fearsome alien threat has been unleashed on the world and Jake is called back into action by his former co-pilot, Lambert (Scott Eastwood), and a 15-year-old Jaeger hacker, Amara (Cailee Spaeny). Rising up to become the most powerful defense force to ever walk the earth, they will set course for a spectacular all-new adventure on a towering scale.”
The film takes place ten years after the events of the first, which sealed the breach, killed all the alien creatures and the monsters they were creating. The world is rebuilding, and jaeger tech is highly sought after by black market buyers. Jake Pentecost, son of the character played by Idris Elba in the first, lives in a desolate part of the world where the living is rough and you steal and trade for what you need. In an attempt to square things away with someone he owes money to, Jake leads a small group into a jaeger scrapyard in search of a power core that will fetch a handsome amount of money. Unfortunately for him, it’s already been stolen by a 15-year-old girl named Amara who has built her own jaeger and need it as a final piece to get it online. After a chase brings Jake and Amara together in her new jaeger, she starts it up and is tracked down by the Pan-Pacific Defense Corps and Jake is given the chance to make amends by becoming an instructor at the academy, and Amara the chance to enroll in pilot school.
In the second act we learn that the pilot program is about to be dismantled thanks to new drone technology that allows the user to pilot the jaeger remotely. When a rogue jaeger attacks the city out of nowhere, Jake’s sister is killed and the drone program is approved to go ahead. The team must figure out who the mystery pilot is and what their end game is, and when you don’t know who you can trust, it won’t be so easy.
Pacific Rim was a great film, with Guillermo del Toro doing what he does best, telling stories about monsters. At the end of the film the rift was closed and the creatures sending kaiju through to our realm were destroyed. That should have been the end, right? Unfortunately for us, and for the good of the franchise, it wasn’t. Someone decided there was more story to tell; I shouldn’t say story, because there basically is none. It was a cash grab designed to strip everything of what was good about the first film and present what was left for the masses to lap up, basically giant robots fighting.
There is absolutely nothing redeeming about Pacific Rim Uprising. Since there are no more kaiju, the story bores us with the politics of this new world in which they are rebuilding. The Pan-Pacific Defense Corps are still operational, but someone wants things to change. There is a lot of pushback on this new change. But why? Why should we care if the robots designed to save the world, which did their job, should be changed? This all leads to one individual who you’ll learn has ulterior motives and wants to open up the rift to let more kaiju into our world. The film tries to build toward this moment, but everything is just pointless and bad. I’m sorry, John Boyega, but I don’t think you’re leading man material. As much as I enjoyed him in Attack the Block, everything else I’ve seen him in severely disappoints. Scott Eastwood’s character is about as interesting as a piece of lumber and he does little to try and bring any life into his character. The one shining light in this pit of despair is Cailee Spaeny, which is impressive given this is her first film other than a short. Perhaps her character is the only one written well, but she has a great range about her and the fact she is so much younger than everyone and holds her own is impressive.
Dull story, bland characters, a sequel that wasn’t needed taking a terrible direction. Pacific Rim Uprising is a chore to get through and best left imagining that it never happened.
Video
Pacific Rim Uprising is presented in 2160p 4k Ultra High Definition Widescreen 2.40:1 with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Although the story may be lacking in every way, at least you’ll be able to witness the travesty unfold in gorgeous 4k. Pacific Rim Uprising is a world full of color, from the towering machines to the monsters they fight. The brilliant brights and deep colors really shine here, giving a impressive balance throughout the entire film. Those able to view the Dolby Vision will be even more impressed as the dynamic metadata ensures the best balance in each scene.
The Blu-Ray is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.40:1.
Audio
The audio is presented in Dolby Atmos, and is another highlight of the disc. Pacific Rim Uprising is definitely a loud film when it wants to be, and when the action starts you’ll definitely get a workout from all your surrounds, with robots and monsters crashing through the cityscape and debris flying overhead. The balance sounds great, never overpowering the dialogue from the center channel.
Special Features
The extras, which are located on the Blu-Ray disc, include:
- Deleted Scenes with Commentary by Director Steven DeKnight
- Hall of Heroes
- Bridge to Uprising
- The Underworld of Uprising
- Becoming Cadets
- Unexpected Villain
- Next Level Jaegers
- I Am Scrapper
- Going Mega
- Secrets of Shao
- Mako Returns
- Feature Commentary with Director Steven DeKnight
Pacific Rim Uprising had an uphill battle without Guillermo del Toro directing, and what we got should not bear the same name as the first film. Mindless action and terrible writing plague this sequel that shouldn’t have been made. Fans of the original will surely dislike it, but those looking for a quick fix of robot vs. monster action may be satisfied if you look past the many flaws.
