Connor Bynum // Film Critic
So the new trailer for PACIFIC RIM UPRISING just dropped today. What’s that, you ask? You never bothered to see the first one, let alone knew a sequel was coming out? Then I guess we can’t be friends.
If you are unable to find joy in its purest form upon the sight of a gigantic robot man using a freighter to beat the ever-loving snot out of Godzilla’s ugly cousin, you clearly are what is wrong with America. You don’t believe me? Check out the trailer for yourself below and tell me that your inner 13 year-old isn’t losing his freaking mind.
Da na naa. Na na naaaaaa…
Tupac music aside, how cool was that? Let’s break down some key moments to get excited about.
Rocking a smooth Idris Elba accent, the galaxy’s favorite traitor seems to have taken a liking to space armor and laser swords. I’m talking, of course, about John Boyega. The apocalypse appears to have returned for a revival season and Boyega is having none of it. While the budding actor has already kept himself quite busy with more dramatic characters outside of the STAR WARS films, it should be interesting to see him take on another action heavy role. But Boyega isn’t the only star worth talking about here. After his inexplicable participation in the first film, the bros over at Warner Bros. seem to have doubled down on Charlie Day (IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA). Oddly enough, he looks to be in a position of authority this time around. While off-putting to be sure, I for one am fascinated to see what Day has to offer outside of his trademark frantic persona.
The 2013 original PACIFIC RIM was certainly enjoyable, but it was hardly devoid of its fair share of problems. It looks as if UPRISING is aiming to fix at least one of them: having an action scene in daylight. Finally, we’ll be able to see all the Jaeger/Kaiju mayhem basking in the glorious splendor that is day. And did you see that spinning spiky ball on a chain? How sweet was that? One thing is certain: Those fights are going be off the chain.
Official Synopsis (with slight commentary):
“The globe-spanning conflict between otherworldly monsters of mass destruction and the human-piloted super-machines built to vanquish them was only a prelude to the all-out assault on humanity in PACIFIC RIM UPRISING.
John Boyega (DETROIT, upcoming STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI) stars as the rebellious Jake Pentecost, a once-promising Jaeger pilot whose legendary father gave his life to secure humanity’s victory against the monstrous “Kaiju.” Jake has since abandoned his training only to become caught up in a criminal underworld. But when an even more unstoppable threat is unleashed to tear through our cities and bring the world to its knees, he is given one last chance to live up to his father’s legacy by his estranged sister, Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi) — who is leading a brave new generation of pilots that have grown up in the shadow of war. As they seek justice for the fallen, their only hope is to unite together in a global uprising against the forces of extinction.
Jake is joined by gifted rival pilot Lambert (Scott Eastwood, the person you forgot was in THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS) and 15-year-old Jaeger hacker Amara (newcomer Cailee Spaeny), as the heroes of the PPDC become the only family he has left. 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.
PACIFIC RIM UPRISING is directed by Steven S. DeKnight (director of one episode of Netflix’s DAREDEVIL; that’s it, really) and also stars Jing Tian, Burn Gorman, Adria Arjona and Charlie Day.”
PACIFIC RIM UPRISING hits theaters March 23, 2018.
