First of all, I'm writing this not to spoil those who haven't seen the "Pacific Rim" yet. I won't dare waste my time on that. In fact, I just want to convey how fascinated I was after watching the movie. Guillermo del Toro, the film director, brought the kid in me indeed. Until now, I can still picture out scenes from the highly CGI-based film of this year. It is undoubtedly awesome especially if you watch it on 3D. There are no dull moments and the transitions are extremely smooth. It perfectly depicts a true sci-fi film—at least.
In a nutshell, "Pacific Rim" is, by far, the best movie for this year. This goes exactly the same with the mastermind, Guillermo del Toro. According to movie critics, del Toro has made a relentless effort that contributed to the success of the film. Of all of his movies (Pan's Labyrinth, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Hell Boy installments, etc.), "Pacific Rim" is the most anticipated and talked-about. However, it's a different story for me. It was early this year when I first heard about "Pacific Rim." Personally, the thing that caught my interest was the Jaegers (German word for "Hunter"). These colossuses serve as the prime defensive measures against the Kaiju (Japanese word for “Sea Monsters”) during the Human-Kaiju War.
Technically, there are 20 Jaegers created in an immense facility called Shatterdome. Each of this Jaeger is categorized based on its weaponry, attributes and power. Thus, the Mark 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 classifications are born. There are Jaegers which didn't fall on the said marks and were labeled Unknown, though. However, in the futuristic year, 2025, only four remain active in service. Some is due to 14 profuse attacks by the Kaijus in the 2024 alone. By the way, before I even watched the movie, I already did a research about the Jaegers. Most, if not all, of the information is based on Pacific Rim: Tales From Year Zero, a comic written by American screenwriter, Travis Beacham.
In the movie alone, 5 of these Jaegers are evidently conceivable. Each of these massive mechanical machines represents a nation—in which the latter supplies the money to make a Jaeger possible.
Coyote Tango
A Japanese Jaeger that is considered to be the oldest in service before it retired from combat. It is Mark 1 – class Jaeger which is lightly equipped and armored. As seen in the movie, Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba) piloted it. In the comic, he is co-piloted by Tasmin Sevier. The Kaiju, Onibaba, defeated them in Tokyo. This is where the paths of Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi) and Stacker meets. After the battle, Coyote Tango eventually retires. Also, because of the death of Stacker’s partner, this leads him to pilot the Jaeger alone which risked his life –the gushing of blood from his nose is a sign. He is advised not to ride a Jaeger again for it will totally vanquish his life. Unfortunately, the former is eradicated in the end part of the movie. Considering these facts, the Coyote Tango is known to be the very first unit to be piloted by a single Ranger.
Cherno Alpha
Last of the Mark 1 series, this Jaeger hails from Russia. Although the slowest among the others, the Cherno Alpha is armed with the heaviest and best weaponries that helped in defending the Russian barriers for 6 long years against Kaiju. It is piloted by Aleksis Kaidonovsky and Sasha Kaidonovsky–the married couple. Originally, its mission was to give support to Striker Eureka on an assault against the breach. Unfortunately, it is destroyed together with Crimson Typhoon in a double event in Hong Kong. One of its distinct features is the oversized power port that stands as its head. Its main purpose is store large amount of fuel for energy while it acts as a decoy for Kaiju seeking a head to pulverize. When it comes to offense, its hammer-like fist, powered by Tesla cells, is a lethal weapon. Because of its massiveness, the Jaeger is an epitome on one-on-one battles; this is not to mention the foot spikes beneath the foot that serve as an anchor.
Crimson Typhoon
The beast of the Sleeping Giant, China, is constructed underneath the ruins of Shatterdome. Its sole purpose is to operate in Hong Kong as a defense to Kaiju threats in the city. In the Jaeger history, it successfully defended China for seven times against Kaiju through the efficiency of the Wei triplets. Along with Cherno Alpha, the Crimson Typhoon is ordered to give aid to Striker Eureka. However, it shared the same fate with Cherno Alpha in the latter part of the battle. Technically, they could have won the fight if not for the surprise ambush from one the Kaijus. Among the Jaegers, the Crimson Typhoon has the finest strategies. Most of its battles are won through the utilization of “Nimbo.” It is a formation where it activates it claws for slicing procedures. Also, this is the only Jaeger wherein 3 Rangers are required to pilot. The two control’s the Crimson Typhoon’s basic attacks while the other is in-charge of the gunner. Consistently, it has three arms with an Extreme Plasmacaster Cannon (EPC) on the bigger arm while the smaller two are equipped with Twin Fist Saw Claws. With its weaponry, the Crimson Typhoon has an ace in close-combats similar to Gypsy Danger and Striker Eureka.
Striker Eureka
The pride of Aussies and is designed to defend the coastline of Australia from filthy Kaijus. With an Australian-built as a Mark 5, it has the latest features in the Jaeger program. It also holds the best stats for all currently deployed Jaegers. Technically, it dwells in the highest kill count and is considered to be the most powerful Jaeger in line with the current deployments. According to the Jaeger program, Australia has given 100 billion Australian dollars to put Striker Eureka into existence. Initially, the father and son, Herc and Chuck Hansen pilot Striker Eureka. When a Kaiju attacked the walls of Australia, this Jaeger overpoweringly destroyed it. It is made possible due to its premium missile system. Despite the boys’ effective tandem, it faces a great feat in the waters of Hong Kong. Momentarily, the Striker Eureka is about to win when the Kaiju, Otachi, disables its power with an EMP burst from behind. Fortunately, the two pilots escaped the near-death phenomenon, but it leaves Herc injured. Hence, Stacker Pentecost replaces him in order to carry on with their mission in the Portal –the bridge between the Earth’s and Kaijus’ dimensions. Some of the Jaegers’ features include a retractable sting blade, an escape pod on its right shoulder and brass knuckles charged with tons of ions in both hands. At the same time, its aerodynamics is sleekly controlled because of wings mounted on its back. In the final battle, Striker Eureka detonates itself to buy time for Gypsy Danger to proceed with the mission.
Gypsy Danger
The veteran and most experienced Jaeger among the aforementioned five. It represents the United States as the Mark 3 Jaeger and is credited for the triumph in the Portal. In the beginning, the Gypsy Danger is controlled by the brothers, Yancy and Raleigh Becket. Unluckily, Yancy is killed in a battle with a Kaiju. The gaping hole on the right part of the Jaeger’s head caused the extinction of Raleigh’s brother and co-pilot. Gypsy Danger‘s severe damages force it to land on the icy shores of Alaska. After the incident, Raleigh retires from the service due to the trauma caused by the death of his father. However, after 5 years, he was called back to service and teamed-up with Mako. Unsurprisingly, during a sparring fight, the two develops sudden compatibility that will eventually lead them to mind-melding. It is a process which is often called “drift” where two pilots are synchronized in a Neuron-technology. To wit, the Gypsy Danger is the only analog Jaeger among the five. It is nuclear-powered that makes it totally different from the others. Also, because of this feature, it is the only Jaeger that can be used as a tool to destroy the bridge that connects the two dimensions. The Gypsy Danger is the primary Jaeger as it is mostly seen in the movie.
Technically, there are a lot of areas that can be discussed here as well in the movie. The story of “Pacific Rim” is so vast that it will surely require Guillermo del Toro to fabricate a sequel. The director has already initially announced the next franchise of the movie in an interview, though. Indeed, this movie shall earn array of recognition in the different award-giving platforms.
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