Movie Thoughts Bundle (2013) #1

In this collection of short reviews, we’ll explore the year 2013 where anime fans get to celebrate a live action helping of giant robots and kanji spectacle, people with dreams to become an astronaut gets a rude awakening, and one of the most quoted comedies of our times finally get a sequel.

1. Pacific Rim - 8/10

Pacific Rim utilizes today's modern visual FX technology to deliver what I can only describe as being a kaiju-mecha nerd's dream come true. Just getting to the primary hook factor of the movie right away, Guillermo Del Toro's science-fiction action blockbuster delivers some of the greatest monster battle scenes that I've ever witnessed in a live action medium. The sight and sounds of the Jaegers and Kaiju stomping through the city or ocean floor duking it out is truly a spectacle to behold and worthy of experiencing on a large theater screen. The attention to details that one would expect out of any Del Toro film's art direction is very much on display here from the Jaeger's bulky joints and bolts cranking around as they slowly maneuver taking on these uniquely designed giant monstrosities emerging from the depths of the ocean. 

It's all really breathtaking and equally intriguing constantly giving genre fans like myself something new to eagerly anticipate in regards to visuals. I came to see giant robots battle giant monsters and I'm very happy to say that this movie made me feel like a kid again (from my Godzilla and anime loving background) watching said scenes. The overall world of Pacific Rim is also really well crafted (another Del Toro staple) taking place years after the first Kaiju invasions resulting in the planet having to adapt around the destruction caused by these massive creatures. You can see this displayed via Hong Kong's littering of Kaiju debris being retrofitted into buildings. There's other interesting concepts posed such as the aliens coming from the ocean as opposed to the traditional idea of space travel in addition to our hero pilots being neurologically linked together when battling the kaiju. 

So the attention to detail of the world itself is just as uniquely designed as the spectacle within it. Really the only issue that I had with this movie was some of the tonally distracting and easily removable scenes involving some of the side characters. I also wished we'd gotten just a couple more extensive monster attack scenes on the cities to heavily showcase the terror of the threat before showing humans being able to fight back. This would've added more weight to each blow being landed by the robots both emotionally and physically speaking.

2.  Gravity - 10/10

I'll just say it right out of the gate, Gravity is one of those movies that is strictly meant to be seen at the theaters and any passionate moviegoer should not, by any means, settle for less when watching it. The visual direction and sound design was so exceptionally crafted that the movie successfully took me from out of my theater reclining chair and tossed me into the depths of space alongside the lead character(s). Trust me when I say that I do not use the phrase "breathtaking" lightly when describing the overall cinematic presentation and incredibly effective direction being displayed here to immerse the audience in this experience. And that's exactly what this movie can be described as...an experience. 

Director Alfonso Cuarón throws the audience into these perfectly edited point of view shots giving us the claustrophobic perspective of the main character as she struggles helplessly in space to evade a storm of satellite debris. I literally found myself holding my breath through many of these sequences of action taking place eventually exhaling in relief whenever she'd barely make it out. For my money, that's the sign of a masterful director that knows exactly how to create an engaging moviegoing experience alongside the perfect production team. There's a constant sense of vulnerability and heightened alertness to the environment as a result of these occasional heart racing fallen debris scenes. 

What's especially remarkable about the action here is, due to the space setting, how all of these senses are technically enhanced as sound is used sparingly and the visuals prominently take over. It's like watching a plane crash take place in front of you through a soundproof glass. The only thing you can do is helplessly witness the tragic spectacle of it all as your imagination creates the missing audible elements that may have been. My only nitpick with Gravity centers around a couple of Sandra Bullock's character scenes where she has these emotional breakdowns that may have dragged on a tiny bit too long. Other than that, this movie is an absolute masterpiece of a science-fiction thriller in my book (and with the addition of an excellent score). 

3. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues - 9/10

Following one of the most heavily quoted and gradually celebrated comedies to be released over the past decade, in addition to one of the greatest examples of marketing ever, comes the highly anticipated Anchorman 2. Actually let's talk about that brilliant promotional campaign for a moment where Will Ferrel got into his now iconic Ron Burgundy character and promoted the new sequel through ads for the new Dodge Durango, news appearances, talk show guest spots (in character and out of character), ESPN interviews, and even coming out with his own autobiography for the character (promoted by himself in character). Not only was this a genius marketing method to help get the word out about the new movie building up a lot of attention from various unexpected outlets, but it's also an entertaining companion piece to the movie itself giving us bonus content to enjoy. 

Now, talking about the movie itself, this sequel had a huge uphill battle of expectations to face off against. Honestly speaking, considering how mixed the market of modern comedies have been recently with the several copycats and quick cash grab feeling titles, this movie exceeded expectations. Anchorman 2 is filled to the brim with comedic moments to the point where my experience could quite easily be labeled as a series of constant laughter. Now yes, there are a few scenes here and there that may have not hit the mark as strongly as others (this is to be anticipated with most comedies good or bad). 

However, for every few unfunny moment came an immediately hilarious one to overshadow it. There are scenes that literally left me grasping for air in laughter due to a particular surprise shift of events or dialogue exchange. The sequel offers fun celebrity cameos, grander scale comedic set pieces, and a continuation of the first movie's hilariously random direction and funny characters. This one's definitely worth a watch.