There is little in pop culture that is more universally loved than giant robots. The awesomeness of giant robots translates across seas, borders and languages and it never gets old. When you get to see giant robots fighting giant monsters, well, that just speaks to the 10-year old in all of us. So it is with great excitement that we get a look at the Pacific Rim: Uprising reel from Tokyo Comic-Con. This video should get you hyped for all the gigantic battles this movie has in store. Take a look.
Man, this is almost like a military recruitment video for the Pan Pacific Defense Corps' Jaeger program. It's got great action, amazing visuals and inspiring speeches. Sign me up. The people involved in Pacific Rim: Uprising are saying all the right things here, too. Everyone seems to be passionate about the material and looks like they are having fun with the movie. Steven S. DeKnight is taking over directorial duties from Pacific Rim's Guillermo del Toro and he is exactly the kind of person you would want directing a giant robot movie. He mentions growing up watching these types of stories and that he's a fan of giant robots and monsters (who's not). For those who don't know, Steven S. DeKnight was the showrunner on the Starz TV series, Spartacus, and anyone who saw that show can testify to his ability to create a story with incredible, beautiful action that still has complex and well-developed characters. It looks like that is what we are getting here with the new cast.
John Boyega, who is a fanboy through and through, looks great as Jake Pentecost, the son of Idris Elba's Stacker Pentecost from the first film. It's cool to see him get to use his natural accent here and standout in a new role. John Boyega's statement in the video that this is the most action he's ever done should make everyone's ears perk up. He was in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the upcoming Star Wars: The Last Jedi, I don't know if you've heard of them but they have a fair bit of action in them. If the action is all as good as it is in this video and is well-balanced with quality character interactions, this movie could surpass the original.
The new elements we see here also give us an idea of how this film will differ from the original and give us something fresh. The Jaeger's seem more lithe and mobile to me and there also is, as we've heard, more of a focus on the excitement of piloting the Jaegers. Seeing Jaeger on Jaeger action is a welcome addition, as well as the new makeshift Jaeger piloted by Cailee Spaeny's Amara. The actress mentions that we'll be getting new things from the Kaiju as well, creatures that we initially thought were defeated at the end of the first film but will be returning here, and will be badder and far bigger to boot.
Overall what we see here looks like some of the best elements of the first movie, amplified and improved upon for the sequel. While Guillermo del Toro isn't directing this movie, it is nice to see the world he created continuing on. The tone looks fun and exciting with new and interesting characters. And while this word is vastly overused, Pacific Rim: Uprising looks flat out epic. Pacific Rim: Uprising hits theaters on March 23, 2018. For all the biggest movies coming to theaters next year, check out our 2018 release schedule.
