Fun, frenetic popcorn movie, think of Transformers or Godzilla on steroids (lots more and bigger scale cool robots and monsters) plus a better-than-expected human dimension – a few likeable characters and back story vignettes squeezed into all the action. Reminded me of the recent Japanese live action version of Space Battleship Yamato (2010) – which I’d highly recommended for any BSG fans – though not as dark or emotional. Just don’t go expecting any layered story telling and thematic depth a la Neon Genesis Evangelion … perhaps Pacific Rim will now pave the way?
Monthly Archives: July 2013
Pacific Rim (2013, dir. Guillermo del Toro): fun, frenetic popcorn flick
Man of Steel (2013, dir. Zack Snyder): disappointing product which doesn’t live up to its brilliant marketing
I can imagine the conversation Christopher Nolan (Dark Knight Trilogy) had with the studio execs:
Execs: We’d really like to reboot Superman the same way you did Batman. Like for example a dark, gritty, realistic take on Richard Donner’s classic Superman 1 and 2 from the 1970s. Can you do it?
Nolan: How droll; been there done that. But can I recommend my mate Zack Snyder (300), he’s not as good (if I do say so myself) but he’s looking for a gig
Execs: OK, but can you at least take a producer credit? We’ll pay you a gazillion?
Nolan: Sure, why not?
World War Z (2013, dir. Marc Foster): half-decent medical action thriller, just don’t expect any Walking Dead
Half-decent medical action thriller, mashing up the medical disaster genre (see Dustin Hoffman’s Outbreak (1995) or Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion (2011)) with the aggressive, fast zombies of I Am Legend (2007) plus some competently tense Brad Pitt horror action and grandiose CGI set pieces. Just don’t go in expecting Walking Dead-style depth of character study, or exploration of themes such as the depravity of humankind (the living being worse than the undead), the soullessness of materialistic society, American isolationism, or for that matter, any real fidelity to the critically acclaimed source material (Max Brooks’ novel). Director Marc Forster is clearly leaving all that on the table for a future visionary to craft the definitive next-gen apocalyptic zombie flick. Until then, World War Z is a fun, big budget diversion (sequel already on its way)
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