PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING (2018) Movie Review
Strong connections make a strong defense.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 - “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (NLT)
Pacific Rim: Uprising follows the original Pacific Rim after several years. The hostile aliens make no attempts to re-invade Earth. The world struggles to recover and rebuild after the war. The incredible warrior machines, Jaegers, become glorified police for civilians who steal and build “unregistered” Jaegers. However, they remain prepared to defend Earth from the invaders.
With advancing technologies, Jaegers are on the verge of becoming obsolete. They are replaced by drone Jaegers. No dual pilots. No neural connections. No opportunity for teamwork. The drones are instead remote controlled by a single pilot. They come off as a safe and efficient alternative to Jaegers. In reality, they are insecure and hard to control. Meanwhile, the aliens discover the value of neural connection and learn to use it as a weapon.
The advantage of connecting with an ally is powerful, but the dangers of connecting to a foe is irresistibly powerful. The Kaiju use this power to brainwash a man powerful enough to override the drones. They turn humanity’s protection into their tools to open the portal and begin another invasion. Much like a drug addict the traitor becomes obsessive and desperate. He forgets the gravity of his actions in order to connect with these evil beings.
In order to defeat this new threat, humans must learn to reconnect with one another. They must dust off and pilot the old Jaegers. In order to be pilots, they must make a strong, reliable connections. They need trust, understanding, and empathy.
1 Corinthians 1:10 - "I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." (NLT)
Among these rusty and amateur pilots are rebellious loners Jake and Amara. Jake is a bitter legacy, the son of Stacker Pentecost, and determined not to live in his father’s shadow. He drops out of training and becomes a common theif where he meets the young, ambitious Amara who achieves her goal to build her own Jaeger. They are roped into recruitment because of their unique skills.
Yet, their most valuable asset becomes their
strong connection to each other. They have common background, mutual
suffering, and personal understanding. They empathize with each
other. They come to love each other. Together, they save the world.
