PACIFIC RIM UPRISING REVIEW

PACIFIC RIM UPRISING REVIEW*SPOILER ALERT*

Watched! IMAX!!!

Time           :5:15 pm

Day            : Thursday

Date           : 22nd March 2018

   Pacific Rim Uprising is out today. It's the continuation of the first movie, Pacific Rim. This movies rings the hype that could bring the love for robots start again. I always thought of it as a combination of Gundam or Zoids with Ultraman. This is due to the big robots and Kaiju or big monsters they introduced. For those that still doesn't watch the first movie (well, you should) this movie is regarding a world where Kaiju exists. The monster was brought out by a portal to another dimension opened by hostile aliens. Humanity try to fight back by creating a monster of their own called a Jaeger. The first movie showed a character called Stacker Pentecost(Idris Elba) and Raleigh Becket (played by Charlie Dunham) to pilot the Jaegers. There also Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi) a japanese girl that Stacker take in and eventually become a pilot in the first movie. The main Jaeger that used in this first movie is called Gypsy Danger that later upgraded into Gypsy Avenger in the second movie.

   The Uprising, is more exciting I'm telling you as a bunch of more Jaegers introduced. The protagonist is Jake Pentecost (John Boyega) the son of the fallen hero in the first war. The story starts with introduction of this character and how he lives his life. John Boyega certainly play the character well as a son longing for his father approval. He also shows a laid back attitude of the character well as if he is the character himself. We then found that Mako is now in the higher up position, and of course, Jake treat her like his real big sister. The fun starts when the Scrapper's pilot appear, Amara Namani (Cailee Spaeny) that build her own Jaeger and shows the audience a good fun ride when Scrapper vs November Ajax. 

   Like I said earlier, you will love robots again after this movie so buckle up and learn the Jaegers name I'm about to mention. :)

 In this age, an unauthorize Jaegers is consider dangerous and the rogue Jaeger will be put down, and I guess November Ajax has that duty. The meet of Jake and Amara end up with they getting caught and Mako push Jake to get back to Pan Pacific Defense Corp(PPDC) a Jaeger Program that train young pilots. Jake dropped the training after kicked out by his father, Stacker, So, you can say he's not thrill getting back to PPDC as a trainer. This is when they introduces all the new Jaegers they have, 

• Bracer Phoenix
• Guardian Bravo
• Saber Athena
• Titan Redeemer

  

   Jake continue to show laid back attitude as PPDC trainer but then change his tune when her sister, Mako died (I hate this part btw). A rogue but advance Jaeger appear, Obsidian Fury with a great amount of skill and attack a summit of Shao Industries with a board to approve a dron like control on Jaeger, means you sit in a different building far away while controlling a Jaeger(much like what Iron Man used to do it). A woman responsible for this idea is Liwen Shao (Tian Jing). You would think halfway of the movie that this woman is the antagonist but I kid you not, you would be a bit surprise to found out the real one isn't her. Tian Jing also great at play her character, with iron clad principal and lady boss attitude.

   There are also two more distinct characters that you would meet again, the brainers duo, Dr. Newton Geiszler(Charlie Day) & Herman Gottlieb(Burn Gorman). Let just say this movies full of great characters, because you would fall in love with this two character as well. They play great as  the specialist on Kaiju. The movie climax developed when the Obsidian Fury was defeated and they found man made Kaiju inside. The combination of Jeager and Kaiju, this is a great development in the storyline if you ask me. The epic battle between Gypsy Avenger & Obsidian Fury is also a scene you would not find in the first movie, a Jaeger vs Jaeger that is. Kudos for the writers and director.  Guillermo del Toro,  Travis Beacham (screenplay) &  Guillermo del Toro (screenplay).  The fight scenes seems real enough and they don't overwhelmed you by switching scenes from inside a Jaeger to outside of it too fast.

   What can I say about Pacific Rim uprising is that they create a believable feeling of the future by not exaggerate some things. The complex control of the Jaeger also contribute to this. Especially the Neural Handshake thingy that I think kinda cool. The main character is paired with Nate Lambert(Scott Eastwood), a guy that seems like his rival in love and everything apparently. It kinda make sense in the end that they are compatible since they fight but treat each other like a family. You would think Jake would piloting with Amara, and you think right. The last fight scene is where that happen. This is also a great example of its good storyline, as the two character, Jake and Amara introduced, they has separate stories and obstacles that they need to overcome and in the end they are reunited in Gypsy Avenger, piloting together side by side.

   

   I want to tell you more and put some more compliment on the movies but this review would turn into a book. So, onto the last fight scene. The scenes shows us all the Jaegers that I have mentioned above, and they fighting three Kaiju that heading for Mount Fuji (this is where the Kaiju heading from the start, since they appeared in the first movie). They show some badass moves and it seems like they could win the fight, the Jaegars. However, the antagonist appear and made the Kaiju combine! That's right, they combine just like Zoids in Power Rangers!!! This is when things turn ugly, with Guardian Bravo pilots making a mistake leads to a second death scene. At last, as most of you might suspect already, only Gypsy Avenger stand with Nate heavily injured. This is when Amara came to the rescue. Of course they defeat the Mega Kaiju, but I will not tell you how, watch for yourself. You also in for a surprise when another Jaegar will come in at the last minute. It's not November Ajax by the way, I wonder where that guy went. 

   There are some small credit scene at the end that suggest a third movie is coming up. I sure hope the Jaegers will heavily upgraded by then, perhaps they could combine too :p (but that would becoming cliche wouldn't it?). All and all, Pacific Rim Uprising is a good enough movie for you to watch it in iMAX! The big screen sure brings out more feeling to the audiences. Some tips, you would not want to settle just in the middle like in standard seat if you watch in iMAX. Go all the way to the back! :) . Enjoy your weekend with your loved ones folks. Pacific Rim Uprising gets double approval from Ibrahim Khaziq! 

WINCHESTER REVIEW : Failed Presentation

WINCHESTER REVIEW *SPOILER ALERT*

Watched!

   Time           : 9:20 pm
   Day            : Friday
   Date           : 2nd March 2018

   Winchester. This is a a movie that put under thriller/fantasy category. Although it was a fantasy, the background story for it, is very real. Winchester is a family name for a guy that own a company that produce weapons like a rifle and such. When her husband died, the widow built a house that so big, it has hundreds of room. The construction never stops till the day she died. This is the base used for this movie. I like the background story because I've heard it before from Ghost Adventure and it is interesting indeed.

 

 However, the Spierig brothers  Michael& Peter  story line is not quite interesting, let me tell you that before we start. The main character is a psychological doctor played by Jason Clarkethat just lost a wife by Winchester guns. The widow played by Helen Mirren and basically the plot was revolving on the fact that the doctor need to do an assessment on the widow to clarify if she is sane enough to handle the company her husband left her with. The widow has a mysterious air around her at first but when they have a conversation, that vibe is gone. They also kept repeating a scene where the doctor wander around the house (without lost his way apparently) and get surprise by some of the ghosts in the house. If you ask me, those scenes are not nearly enough compared to any other ghost film. 

   I always said that horror film usually get 5 or 6 (except for IT adapted from Stephen King's book) on its rating because they are all the same. They has a lot of surprise elements and scary background. However, this one has one more element that should gives it an advantage, which is a 'based on true event' element. The director should implied that a lot more and make it a realistic scary movie. However, they failed to do so as the plot is much the same as any other made up ghost film and that was a let down really. 

   The plot is predictable, as the stories goes and I bet you could guess who is the ghost they are looking for right at the first half of the movie. I mean this is one of the most haunted house in the world! They should put in all the typical true ghost story to add on the chilliness in the air, like scary sounds in the middle of the night, a doppelganger, shadowy figure and stuffs, but they went on surprise you with one or two ghosts that well, make you jump a little but it just isn't chilly and scary enough. Frankly I'm surprise they get a 5.4 from IMDb, I think 4 should be enough.

   Finally, the most comical and weakest scene yet, the last encounter. The ghost they encounter is so strong and it release all the spirits in the house. It is like you were watching an X-Men movie, especially when the ghost control all the guns. It is like you watch Jane or Professor X fighting with their telekinesis. It is a ridiculous scene and I laugh while it happen. I am just sorry I don't has any nice words for this movie because I really love the background story. The only good thing to see in the movie is the house itself, if you're into that I guess.

All in all, Winchester has failed in its presentation for the true event that should be its main attraction. Winchester is disapproved by Ibrahim Khaziq, go watch it if only you has time to waste. Thank you.