STAR WARS (2) vs. PACIFIC RIM (7)

VS.

ACTING -  “Star Wars” is not usually touted for its acting and this is appropriate because the visuals stole the show. However, Alec Guinness was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and the Saturn Awards.  The rest of the cast was fairly unknown and would prove to be good actors in the future, but not so much here.  As the main character, Mark Hammill is the weak link, but as one of the great cinematic heroes, he is forgiven.  GRADE =  B-

“Pacific Rim” is even less about the actors than “Star Wars”.  Although there are some opportunities for emoting, that’s just killing time between the fights between giant human-piloted robots and giant monsters.  Because the mechas are piloted by two people, there is some acting involved, but it’s still all about the fight.  The movie garnered no acting award nominations.  Charlie Hannum is your typical rugged action hero.    He is given a redemption and revenge arc, but we’re still only waiting for the fights.    The screenplay wisely adds dueling buddy scientists for comic relief and Charlie Day and Burn Gorman are kicks.  GRADE =  C

ENTERTAINMENT -  The original “Star Wars” has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.  It was a humongous box office success and was one of the first summer blockbusters.  The film was rereleased to acclaim.  It is generally considered to be the second best of the series (after “Empire Strikes Back”).  It may seem trope-ridden today, but you have to remember how much ground it broke in 1977.  It still holds up well today.  It has one of the greatest villains, unbelievable special effects, fantastic characters, a strong female, and one of the great sci-fi battles.  What’s not to like?  GRADE  =  A+

“Pacific Rim” is a fun movie.  It gives the audience exactly exactly what it wants and it is efficient in doing so.  It takes the Godzilla type movies into the 21^st Century.  Unlike the Toho films, humans are not just standing around waiting to be stomped and futilely firing useless weapons against the monsters, they can fight toe to toe.  The robots and monsters come in a variety and the battles are stunning.  The plot is a bit generic, but the acting is not embarrassing and dueling scientists subplot adds some decent humor.  The movie will not be remembered years from now and certainly won’t get a rerelease, but it is a good popcorn flick.  GRADE  =  B

COMBAT -  At the time it was made, the battle scene involving the Death Star was the gold standard for sci-fi war movies.  Over the years, there have been other movies that have topped it, but most that have not.   It is one of the rare movies in this tournament where the opposing sides in the climactic battle are relatively equal.  Combining “Battle of Britain” dogfight with the bombing runs of “The Dam Busters”, throw in realistic tactics and a confrontation involving the hero and the villain and you get gold.  Unfortunately, the battle with the Death Star is the only real combat.  The movie goes with quality over quantity.  GRADE  =  B

“Pacific Rim” is all about the combat.  There are three big battles and each has a flair to it.  There’s little subtlety, but the action and visuals are awesome.  The robots and the creatures vary so the duels are not repetitive.  Hell, at one point a kaiju uses a boat as a bat!  The venues for the battles also vary.  The combat has a quantity and quality to it.  GRADE  =  B

ENEMY -  “Star Wars” has a variety of creatures, but they are mostly for local color.  The enemy is similar to the protagonists.    The Empire is malevolent, but not scary.  The main villain is the iconic Darth Vader and he is #3 on AFI’s greatest villains list.  As far as the rest of the Empire, the Stormtroopers are some of the lamest foes in any sci-fi war movie.  They famously could not hit the blindside of a barn.  GRADE  =  C

“Pacific Rim” is dominated by the kaiju.  They come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Each has a different “personality”.   They are toxic and can adapt to their environment.  They are extremely aggressive, but not brainless.  They certainly hold their own against the Jaegers.  These “strange beasts” make the movie a monsterfest.  The movie reminds of a beast show at Imperial Rome’s Colosseum.  GRADE  =  A

ANALYSIS:  These are two totally different movies.  One is an all-time great, and the other is a forgettable, if entertaining creature feature.  Aside from the enemy category, “Star Wars” is superior.  It also is more of a war movie.  “Pacific Rim” is more of a gladiator film.

STAR WARS  =  33

PACIFIC RIM  =  32