# Pacific Rim - anyone else strangely psyched? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 10, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137 "2013-07-10T14:45:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/41 "2013-07-11T15:26:00Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Is it just me, or does it seem at least somewhat bizarre that mankind, faced with annihilation by a gigantic monster, would decide that the best possible solution would be to build a gigantic robot to battle the monster in hand-to-hand combat? Not at all. It’s simple: Chicks dig giant robots. Del Toro is one big reason why I’m excited. You know there’s going to be some nightmare fuel in the whole shared mind thing. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/42 "2013-07-11T15:55:35Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > But it does seem to be derived from [this.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqzHdKqZAmo) > Or inspired. > Or ripped off. 😉 What is “this”? I see it’s a youtube link, but what film, etc are you claiming (falsely) that this film is a Rip-off of? Got a cite? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/43 "2013-07-11T15:58:45Z")
> [@moriah](#): > > From the trailers, the rationale is: Monsters are big. Bombs and rockets and bullets are small. Big is stronger than small. Big wins. Therefore, we need a really big fist, so, build big robot. > > But then again, real world biology could not support monsters so big and powerful on Earth. And then again, if you buy into the idea that a big robot punch is more powerful than a tactical nuke, why don’t you make a robot that’s twice the size of the monsters? > > My take is this: If you want a fantasy world where the only countermeasure to giant monsters is a giant robot, go for it. Just please don’t pretend in any way that this is even remotely possible in _the real world_. Not only are the monsters from an alternate dimension, but this must be an alternate dimension Earth. You know, the Yamato was BIG. Divebombers are small. But I think the outcome was pretty final. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/44 "2013-07-11T15:59:02Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > But it does seem to be derived from [this.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqzHdKqZAmo) > Or inspired. > Or ripped off. 😉 I thought your link would go to [this.](http://files.doobybrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/godzilla-vs-mechagodzilla.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/45 "2013-07-11T16:10:24Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Quoted for Truth. How often do you hear background music that matches your mood in this dimension? You mean you don’t hear it??😕 ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/46 "2013-07-11T16:11:25Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > But it does seem to be derived from [this.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqzHdKqZAmo) > Or inspired. > Or ripped off. 😉 I don’t really think that’s the case. Like I said the Japanese started the whole ‘gigantic’ battling, ah, things: monsters, robots etc. Maybe they’re collectively compensating for something?! 😃 [nerd hat] James Cameron is a really smart guy so even he admitted in an interview way back when that the walking forklift from \*Aliens \*wouldn’t really be all that practical, as wheels are far simpler when you have a smooth surface. He did revisit the idea in _Avatar_, but notice how those human-shaped vehicles were: [ul][li]Designed for traversing non-flat, undeveloped land (the ultimate ATV)[/li][li]Only of modest, not building-scale, size[/li][li]Bristling with conventional weapons as armament[/li][/ul] I’ve only seen it once, but I’m pretty sure Lang’s character only resorts to ‘hand-to-hand’ type combat with it during the film’s climax because either his weapons were damaged and/or he wanted to kill whats-his-name personally. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Lowry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/47 "2013-07-11T16:15:44Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > See, this is why I’m psyched Charlie Day is the scientist who designs the robots. Because I can’t see him as anyone but Charlie Kelly from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, and sending giant robots to fight giant monsters is _exactly_ the kind of solution Charlie would come up with. > > Here’s what I’m talking about: [Charlie Builds a Robot](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSUkno01juU). Oh my god you are so right that is such a Charlie solution! I’m imagining his engineering plans and instructions how to build them and it’s all random doodles and nonsensical scrawling. And he would be singing the Rock Flag Eagle song while working on it. I’m going to have that in mind while watching the movie and will be giggling to myself. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/48 "2013-07-11T16:18:23Z")
Reminds me of this: [Monster vs. robot](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://0-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/m/image/1368/42/1368428736630.jpg&imgrefurl=http://archive.foolz.us/m/thread/9107247/&h=768&w=546&sz=100&tbnid=0p8tA9tBybvsZM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=64&zoom=1&usg=__jSp7ttVBOiG3Ac_MCeU-iMrwuwk=&docid=7_LuDEcHH35YhM&sa=X&ei=GdreUafGGenDyQGyvIGgDg&ved=0CDsQ9QEwBA&dur=8549) ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/49 "2013-07-11T16:23:59Z")
The thing I love is that the movie apparently doesn’t care a ton about realism or developing a coherent origin story for giant robots or kaiju. It’s friggin’ giant monsters vs giant robots. Who really cares about realism? Even trying to discuss it seriously is like explaining point by point why your 10 year old child is playing with his toys wrong. Like an overzealous Trek fan haranguing you for a half hour on technical schemata and minutiae and overlooking the hot, barely dressed green alien chick on the bed. There’s also something to be said about a director who gets a bunch of relative unknowns, so all the money can be put up on screen instead of padding some Hollywood star’s bank account. Also, I have no clue if American audiences are going to like it, but I’m predicting it makes some ridiculous money overseas. It’s almost tailor made for worldwide audiences. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/50 "2013-07-11T17:31:06Z")
> [@Hail\_Ants](#): > > I don’t really think that’s the case. Like I said the Japanese started the whole ‘gigantic’ battling, ah, things: monsters, robots etc. Maybe they’re collectively compensating for something?! 😃 Their lack of a military? > [@](#): > > James Cameron is a really smart guy so even he admitted in an interview way back when that the walking forklift from \*Aliens \*wouldn’t really be all that practical, as wheels are far simpler when you have a smooth surface. He did revisit the idea in _Avatar_, but notice how those human-shaped vehicles were: > [ul][li]Designed for traversing non-flat, undeveloped land (the ultimate ATV)[/li][li]Only of modest, not building-scale, size[/li][li]Bristling with conventional weapons as armament[/li][/ul] > I’ve only seen it once, but I’m pretty sure Lang’s character only resorts to ‘hand-to-hand’ type combat with it during the film’s climax because either his weapons were damaged and/or he wanted to kill whats-his-name personally. The big advantage of humanoid mecha is that if you build it right, anyone over the age of three already has a decent idea of how to use it. The most difficult part of operating the mechs from either _Aliens_ or _Avatar_ would be the startup/shutdown sequences, and getting used to your eyes being below the shoulders instead of above. If you know how to walk and pick up a gun, you know how to use them. ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/51 "2013-07-11T19:53:55Z")
The Kaiju have toxic blood (called “blue”) that contaminates the area. When the Kaiju dies, its decomposition renders the area uninhabitable. The Jaeger program was devised as a way of killing the kaiju without contaminatng the area. They did kill the first several kaiju with conventional means, but it simply took too much of a toll on the surrounding area. For a period of time (5-7 years I think) they were able to kill kaiju with Jaegers without any losses of Jaegers, but then the kaiju started attacking so frequently that the losses of Jaegers outpaced production. The movie takes place about 12 years into the kaiju attacks. ---
**Author:** ![Ab3K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Ab3K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ab3K)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/52 "2013-07-11T19:54:15Z")
:dubious:Oh yes, the 18 IMAX 3D ticket has me totally psyched...Hope this movie flops greedy @#%.:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/53 "2013-07-11T19:57:08Z")
> [@Incubus](#): > > The Kaiju have toxic blood (called “blue”) that contaminates the area. When the Kaiju dies, its decomposition renders the area uninhabitable. The Jaeger program was devised as a way of killing the kaiju without contaminatng the area. > > They did kill the first several kaiju with conventional means, but it simply took too much of a toll on the surrounding area. For a period of time (5-7 years I think) they were able to kill kaiju with Jaegers without any losses of Jaegers, but then the kaiju started attacking so frequently that the losses of Jaegers outpaced production. > > The movie takes place about 12 years into the kaiju attacks. You’re coming dangerously close to spoiler territory. I didn’t expect this to be the “Seen it, OPEN SPOILERS” thread, especially since it hasn’t opened in the USA yet. ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/54 "2013-07-11T19:58:56Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > You’re coming dangerously close to spoiler territory. I didn’t expect this to be the “Seen it, OPEN SPOILERS” thread, especially since it hasn’t opened in the USA yet. All the info is from promotional material (facebook page, movie homepage, Gullermo del Toro interviews, trailers). ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/55 "2013-07-11T19:59:49Z")
OK. I’ve been avoiding all those too, but criticism retracted. ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/56 "2013-07-11T21:06:11Z")
> [@Ab3K](#): > > :dubious:Oh yes, the 18 IMAX 3D ticket has me totally psyched...Hope this movie flops greedy @#%.:dubious: … Because the filmmakers TOTALLY set the prices at your local cineplex… ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/57 "2013-07-11T21:12:17Z")
> [@Ab3K](#): > > :dubious:Oh yes, the 18 IMAX 3D ticket has me totally psyched...Hope this movie flops greedy @#%.:dubious: So don’t see it in IMAX 3D. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/58 "2013-07-11T21:54:36Z")
> [@Ab3K](#): > > :dubious:Oh yes, the 18 IMAX 3D ticket has me totally psyched...Hope this movie flops greedy @#%.:dubious: Why are you living in such an expensive area? No movie theater within 200 miles of my house charges $18 for a movie, including IMAX 3D. Now, $15 for IMAX 3D you can get just down the road. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky_the_Wonder_Spirit)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/59 "2013-07-11T22:48:56Z")
> [@Ab3K](#): > > :dubious:Oh yes, the 18 IMAX 3D ticket has me totally psyched...Hope this movie flops greedy @#%.:dubious: And I’m cheerfully paying the extra for the IMAX 3D(even though I don’t usually bother with the extra bells and whistles) because I want this movie to succeed. Maybe if it does well, we’ll have a chance of getting more summer movies that aren’t remade reboots of adapted sequels. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137/60 "2013-07-11T23:34:47Z")
I cannot wait for this movie! As a HUGE Evangelion fan, and a fan of Japanese monster movies (Godzilla, Ultraman, etc), I already know this will be a good movie to me. The only question left is whether it will exceed my expectations or simply meet them. Let’s face it, this isn’t the kind of movie you dissect for subtle plot points or scientific accuracy. This is the best-looking live action giant robots put on screen EVER! Transformers may have more moving parts, but the scale of these things completely blow them out of the water! I’m furiously mentally masturbating to this movie already. I’m ready to watch some giant monster fighting on IMAX 3D on opening weekend!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pacific-rim-anyone-else-strangely-psyched/663137.md?page=4)