Ten years have passed since the Battle of the Breach and the oceans are still but restless. But when the Kaiju threat arrives again, Jaeger pilot Jake Pentecost (John Boyega), son of the legendary Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba), is tasked to lead the fight against the Kaiju’s and save humanity once more from the brink of extinction.

I must admit that I was extremely intrigued by Pacific Rim Uprising and was excited by what would come next as I was a huge fan of the original. While I was still disappointed that Charlie Hunnam could not return as Raleigh Beckett, I must say that Pacific Rim Uprising was one adrenaline-charged piece of cinema that took a stance on doing something different and original.

Rising Hollywood star John Boyega takes centre stage as Jake Pentecost, the near-do-well son of the legendary Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba) who gripped by potential has made a life for himself as a second-rate burnout. Facing some serious jail time Jake finds himself back in the Jaeger project ready to make his father proud.

Boyega really commits to the character and channels the spirit of the great Idris Elba in his performance. But while playing the stoic side of the character he also injects a good dose of his own humour into the character with some very funny one-liners. Boyega really has a blast with the character and when he does jump into VR fightscape of The Drift he really throws down with some big hits the topple plenty of kaijus.

Standing next to Boyega is Scott Eastwood as Nate Lambert, a military man who is completely devoted to the cause and who makes a great counterpart to Jake. Pacific Rim Uprising is a real step up for Eastwood who is well on his way to headliner territory and with Nate, he gets to craft a character that fits with his personality and inner character.

Pacific Rim Uprising takes everything to the next level and this includes how it looks at the inner workings of the Jaeger program, The Drift and how Jaeger’s fight together as a pack. This time it’s about the new generation taking over, and these young recruits get their chance when everything goes to hell. Director Steven S. DeKnight focuses on building a world that has a real international flavour to it and you really get the impression that since surviving the first Kaiju War humanity has grown even closer together. And when our extinction is on the line it’s better to have numbers on your side.

The action in Pacific Rim Uprising is bold and in-your-face and DeKnight throws plenty of epic set pieces at his audience. My favourite scene is without-a-doubt the duel between Gypsy Avenger, the new-look Gypsy Danger piloted by Jake and Nate and rogue Jaeger Obsidian Fury. This CGI beatdown is damn impressive, and you feel every punch, strike and blow that Gypsy Avenger delivers. DeKnight puts you right into the action with his emphasis on big thrills and high-stakes action that really lays the world’s fate on the line, and his direction, combined with the impressive CGI will really suck you into this action extravaganza.

You’ll also never see the twists coming with Pacific Rim Uprising. DeKnight and his team take this film in a whole other direction, and I was really impressed with how original the film was. Without going into spoilers I can say that the production team really did something different here and it really heightens the whole film’s atmosphere and environment.

Pacific Rim Uprising is one fantastic blockbuster and I loved every single moment of it. I came into it looking for fun and what I got was a whole lot more thanks to the bigger battles and it’s original approach to its narrative. Pacific Rim Uprising is big, bold fun and you’ll have a blast while watching it.

Image: Universal Pictures

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Set thirty years after the events of Return of the Jedi, the last remnants of The Empire have morphed into the dreaded First Order, while the Rebel Alliance fights on as the Resistance. It’s here that new characters Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) find themselves fighting alongside legends such as Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to bring balance to force and the galaxy.

5. John Williams – maestro at work

Mythic composer John Williams returns to the franchise he helped usher into cinema legend with a rousing and emotional score that gets to the very heart of the Star Wars saga, providing a sense of nostalgia, and exciting prospects for the future. With every beat you feel that a true master has meticulously crafted this stunning orchestral piece, which extends itself to every scene and truly brings the film together.

4. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away

From the moment the opening crawl beams on screen, we’re transported back to the wonder and magic of that galaxy far, far away where the Star Wars saga first unfolded. While audiences intimately know its vast setting, director J.J. Abrams and his brilliantly talented crew show us a completely new side of this universe which is filled with exotic new worlds, and the people, creatures and spaceships that populate them. This vast scope and attention to detail creates a compelling visual palette that audiences will find themselves completely absorbed by.

3. The power of the force

The power and mystery of the force, from its brightest light to the abyss of the dark side, shines through in Star Wars: The Force Awakens providing the film with its thematic centre. The emphasis placed on the force and its connection to both the characters and the general setting provides a solid base for the film to develop, as well as creating the central battle at its core.

2. Daisy Ridley and John Boyega – heroes for a new generation

For its lead protagonists, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has found two truly amazing performers in Daisy Ridley and John Boyega in the roles of Rey and Finn. Both actors demonstrate a spectacular commitment to their characters, creating two unique individuals whose motivations, feelings and actions are believable and understandable. Audiences of all ages will find a connection to each of them, and will not want to miss a second of their incredible journey on screen.

1. J.J. Abrams – Jedi master

But all the wonder and magic of Star Wars: The Force Awakens comes down to the vision and passion of one man, director J.J. Abrams, who imbues this new chapter with his own deep sense of love and reverence for the source material, and the very concept of Star Wars itself. Abrams has long said that this is a film made by the fans for the fans, and this statement couldn’t be truer when it comes to Force Awakens. It’s as if he has taken the collective desire of the Star Wars fan community, and created a piece of cinema that gives them everything they desire from a film set in this universe. With every passing second you feel his passion for the story and its characters, which has such intimacy and relevance that the film gets under your skin, and strikes a nerve. Abrams gives everything of himself as a filmmaker to The Force Awakens, and strikes the right balance between providing original material while honouring what has come before.

Image source: Walt Disney Pictures.

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