Movie review: Jaegers in jeopardy in 'Pacific Rim' sequel | ABS-CBN
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Movie review: Jaegers in jeopardy in 'Pacific Rim' sequel
Movie review: Jaegers in jeopardy in 'Pacific Rim' sequel
Fred Hawson
Published Apr 01, 2018 05:04 PM PHT
The first "Pacific Rim" film, which was directed by the 2018 Oscar Best Director Guillermo del Toro, was screened in 2013. I actually liked it despite having apprehensions about it before watching it. This sequel, directed by Steven S. de Knight in his feature film debut, also had not-so-good reviews coming out before it was released in local theaters Saturday. Again despite these "warnings," we still went on to watch it, knowing it will probably still be a lot of fun.
The first "Pacific Rim" film, which was directed by the 2018 Oscar Best Director Guillermo del Toro, was screened in 2013. I actually liked it despite having apprehensions about it before watching it. This sequel, directed by Steven S. de Knight in his feature film debut, also had not-so-good reviews coming out before it was released in local theaters Saturday. Again despite these "warnings," we still went on to watch it, knowing it will probably still be a lot of fun.
"Pacific Rim Uprising" takes place 10 years after the Kaiju War of the first film. The lead character is Jake Pentecost, the son of the big hero of the first film, Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba). After a botched illegal transaction with Jaeger spare parts, Jake was forced to return to the Pan-Pacific Defense Corps (PPDC) as a Jaeger trainer, alongside his former partner Nate Lambert. Amara Namani, a teenage orphan who built a scrappy little Jaeger of her own, was recruited to be one of their trainees.
"Pacific Rim Uprising" takes place 10 years after the Kaiju War of the first film. The lead character is Jake Pentecost, the son of the big hero of the first film, Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba). After a botched illegal transaction with Jaeger spare parts, Jake was forced to return to the Pan-Pacific Defense Corps (PPDC) as a Jaeger trainer, alongside his former partner Nate Lambert. Amara Namani, a teenage orphan who built a scrappy little Jaeger of her own, was recruited to be one of their trainees.
From the get-go, it was clear that this film was going to be high-energy and over-the-top, peppered with corny and cheesy lines of dialogue. Once you accept that vibe, then you're good to go and you will enjoy the rest of the film. Don't expect anything serious or deep; this is simply one fun and bumpy ride. No thinking or logic is necessary, no matter how many pseudo-scientific lines they throw at us.
From the get-go, it was clear that this film was going to be high-energy and over-the-top, peppered with corny and cheesy lines of dialogue. Once you accept that vibe, then you're good to go and you will enjoy the rest of the film. Don't expect anything serious or deep; this is simply one fun and bumpy ride. No thinking or logic is necessary, no matter how many pseudo-scientific lines they throw at us.
John Boyega shows us a lighter side to him as Jake Pentecost, compared to the one we first knew him for, as Finn in the new Star Wars series. I had a good laugh with the way he delivered that "inspirational" speech to his trainees.
John Boyega shows us a lighter side to him as Jake Pentecost, compared to the one we first knew him for, as Finn in the new Star Wars series. I had a good laugh with the way he delivered that "inspirational" speech to his trainees.
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Scott Eastwood played Nate Lambert, who was generally second fiddle to Jake in the film, but he also had his own heroic moments. Cailee Spaeny played Amara, who joins a slew of other sassy kiddie-young teen sidekicks from other recent action films.
Scott Eastwood played Nate Lambert, who was generally second fiddle to Jake in the film, but he also had his own heroic moments. Cailee Spaeny played Amara, who joins a slew of other sassy kiddie-young teen sidekicks from other recent action films.
Reprising her role from the previous film is Rinko Kikuchi as Mako Mori, who has now been promoted to be the General Secretary of the PPDC. Charlie Day and Burn Gorman play their old comic-relief nerdy scientists, Dr. Newton Geiszler and Dr. Hermann Gottlieb respectively, but this time, their characters have more screen time and plot surprises.
Reprising her role from the previous film is Rinko Kikuchi as Mako Mori, who has now been promoted to be the General Secretary of the PPDC. Charlie Day and Burn Gorman play their old comic-relief nerdy scientists, Dr. Newton Geiszler and Dr. Hermann Gottlieb respectively, but this time, their characters have more screen time and plot surprises.
To make the big Chinese market happy, Jing Tian is here again in a marked role as Liwen Shao, whose company had developed drones or remote-controlled Jaegers. Jing had been the major Chinese character in Hollywood films in the past two years, with roles in "The Great Wall" and "Kong: Skull Island". I first saw her five years ago in Chinese films like "Special ID" and "Police Story 2013."
To make the big Chinese market happy, Jing Tian is here again in a marked role as Liwen Shao, whose company had developed drones or remote-controlled Jaegers. Jing had been the major Chinese character in Hollywood films in the past two years, with roles in "The Great Wall" and "Kong: Skull Island". I first saw her five years ago in Chinese films like "Special ID" and "Police Story 2013."
The Jaeger vs. Kaiju action is fast and frenetic, mercurial and messy. The buildings and infrastructure of Tokyo were all at their destructive mercy. This final battle is really the meat of the whole film, and it only happens in the third act. All the fighting is done in broad daylight so we can see the action (and the CGI) clearly, unlike the nighttime rainy fights in the last film.
The Jaeger vs. Kaiju action is fast and frenetic, mercurial and messy. The buildings and infrastructure of Tokyo were all at their destructive mercy. This final battle is really the meat of the whole film, and it only happens in the third act. All the fighting is done in broad daylight so we can see the action (and the CGI) clearly, unlike the nighttime rainy fights in the last film.
Overall though, the first film was still much better than this one, storywise and cinematically. For this shallower sequel, you could actually skip the first 80 minutes and just catch the last 30 minutes for the fights. 6/10
Overall though, the first film was still much better than this one, storywise and cinematically. For this shallower sequel, you could actually skip the first 80 minutes and just catch the last 30 minutes for the fights. 6/10
This review was originally published in the author's blog, "Fred Said."
This review was originally published in the author's blog, "Fred Said."
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Andrea Brillantes on Self-Care, Traveling Solo, and Starring in a PH Adaptation of a K-Drama
Andrea Brillantes on Self-Care, Traveling Solo, and Starring in a PH Adaptation of a K-Drama
Tricia Matias
Published Jan 28, 2025 12:30 PM PHT
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Updated Jan 28, 2025 01:30 PM PHT
Andrea Brillantes is an actress, endorser, influencer, and CEO. Among her many titles and achievements in life, there’s a young Andrea who just wants to enjoy life and do what makes her soul happy. Despite her busy schedule and jam-packed lifestyle, she never forgets to make time for family, friends, and of course, herself. She makes sure to live life and enjoy every bit of it. She explained, “[Nasa] early twenties pa lang ako, still wanna be young, still wanna enjoy my youth. So, tina-try ko mag-find ng time for my friends, for my community, sa church, sa friends ko, sa sports.”
Andrea Brillantes is an actress, endorser, influencer, and CEO. Among her many titles and achievements in life, there’s a young Andrea who just wants to enjoy life and do what makes her soul happy. Despite her busy schedule and jam-packed lifestyle, she never forgets to make time for family, friends, and of course, herself. She makes sure to live life and enjoy every bit of it. She explained, “[Nasa] early twenties pa lang ako, still wanna be young, still wanna enjoy my youth. So, tina-try ko mag-find ng time for my friends, for my community, sa church, sa friends ko, sa sports.”
Andrea encouraged everyone to go on solo travels. According to her, people might find it terrifying and tiring but she said, “Mahirap, nakakapagod, at nakakatakot. But I do it scared. I do it alone and scared. And I have fun while being scared.”
Andrea encouraged everyone to go on solo travels. According to her, people might find it terrifying and tiring but she said, “Mahirap, nakakapagod, at nakakatakot. But I do it scared. I do it alone and scared. And I have fun while being scared.”
And if there’s one discovery she would like to share about going on solo trips, she said, “Ang favorite discovery ko, kapag magso-solo travel kayo, guys, huwag ‘pag pa–winter, huwag autumn or fall or winter, mabigat ang bagahe ninyo. Mag-solo travel kayo, summer. Bakit summer? Ang bitbit niyo lang sando, shorts. Magaan, manipis. Sunday dresses.” She continued, “Kapag meron kayong guy friends, ’yun ang the best, pabuhatin ninyo sila. Baka may jowa ka, good for you. Sa jowa mo, pabuhatin ’yung maleta mo. O kaya, kapag all girls kayo, magtulong-tulungan kayo. Magsalit-salitan na lang kayo.”
And if there’s one discovery she would like to share about going on solo trips, she said, “Ang favorite discovery ko, kapag magso-solo travel kayo, guys, huwag ‘pag pa–winter, huwag autumn or fall or winter, mabigat ang bagahe ninyo. Mag-solo travel kayo, summer. Bakit summer? Ang bitbit niyo lang sando, shorts. Magaan, manipis. Sunday dresses.” She continued, “Kapag meron kayong guy friends, ’yun ang the best, pabuhatin ninyo sila. Baka may jowa ka, good for you. Sa jowa mo, pabuhatin ’yung maleta mo. O kaya, kapag all girls kayo, magtulong-tulungan kayo. Magsalit-salitan na lang kayo.”
Aside from traveling, Andrea also shared her love and interest in music. Proven by her Vienna trip inspired by Billy Joel’s “Vienna.“ She also went to Budapest because of another song she likes. She said her parents’ love story started in music and that her father was a rockstar. According to her, she was raised by the music of Taylor Swift and Parokya Ni Edgar. So, in another life, she said, “Rakista ako.” Music is indeed a big part of Andrea’s life, she described it as 80% of her life that’s why she’s always seen present in concerts. Music is her companion on road trips, mall walks, and showers.
Aside from traveling, Andrea also shared her love and interest in music. Proven by her Vienna trip inspired by Billy Joel’s “Vienna.“ She also went to Budapest because of another song she likes. She said her parents’ love story started in music and that her father was a rockstar. According to her, she was raised by the music of Taylor Swift and Parokya Ni Edgar. So, in another life, she said, “Rakista ako.” Music is indeed a big part of Andrea’s life, she described it as 80% of her life that’s why she’s always seen present in concerts. Music is her companion on road trips, mall walks, and showers.
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Andrea also shared that even though she's a “frustrated singer,” she loves to write songs. She started writing them after listening to one Taylor Swift interview. She shared, “Napanood ko sa isang interview kung paano siya nagsusulat. Sabi niya, kailangan ko lang mag-start.” From there, she was able to write over 20 songs already. When asked when she is planning to release them, she said, “We'll know. Will this be the year? I don't know. Naghahanap lang din kasi ako ng tamang timing.”
Andrea also shared that even though she's a “frustrated singer,” she loves to write songs. She started writing them after listening to one Taylor Swift interview. She shared, “Napanood ko sa isang interview kung paano siya nagsusulat. Sabi niya, kailangan ko lang mag-start.” From there, she was able to write over 20 songs already. When asked when she is planning to release them, she said, “We'll know. Will this be the year? I don't know. Naghahanap lang din kasi ako ng tamang timing.”
One more thing she dedicates time to is skin care. She diligently gives an hour or half an hour for herself at the end of every day to just pause, relax, and do her skincare routine. She explained, “Kahit gaano ako kapagod, may time talaga ako sa gabi. Magba-bye ako, mag-gu-good night ako sa lahat, skin care na ako.”
One more thing she dedicates time to is skin care. She diligently gives an hour or half an hour for herself at the end of every day to just pause, relax, and do her skincare routine. She explained, “Kahit gaano ako kapagod, may time talaga ako sa gabi. Magba-bye ako, mag-gu-good night ako sa lahat, skin care na ako.”
And she will be doing this while watching her favorite series. Her love for Korean dramas is also not a secret for her fans and when asked if she would like to star in an adaptation of a Korean series, she excitedly but hesitantly shared it at the press con, “Kung meron mang gagawa niyan, dapat talaga ako. Maibibigay ko talaga ‘yung buong pagkatao niya kasi ako talaga ‘yun. Naiiyak na ako ngayon pa lang.” Those present at the press con guessed she was talking about the Korean series Lovely Runner, starring Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, and they guessed it right!
And she will be doing this while watching her favorite series. Her love for Korean dramas is also not a secret for her fans and when asked if she would like to star in an adaptation of a Korean series, she excitedly but hesitantly shared it at the press con, “Kung meron mang gagawa niyan, dapat talaga ako. Maibibigay ko talaga ‘yung buong pagkatao niya kasi ako talaga ‘yun. Naiiyak na ako ngayon pa lang.” Those present at the press con guessed she was talking about the Korean series Lovely Runner, starring Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, and they guessed it right!
Andrea stressed the importance of giving time for yourself, the things you love to do and all that truly matter.
Andrea stressed the importance of giving time for yourself, the things you love to do and all that truly matter.
Recently, Andrea topped the global beauty poll Most Beautiful Faces of The World, and she couldn’t help but gush over the result. With the way she handles the challenges and how she loves herself, she truly is more than just a pretty face—or in Ai Dela Cruz’s words, “...more than just a most beautiful face in the world.”
Recently, Andrea topped the global beauty poll Most Beautiful Faces of The World, and she couldn’t help but gush over the result. With the way she handles the challenges and how she loves herself, she truly is more than just a pretty face—or in Ai Dela Cruz’s words, “...more than just a most beautiful face in the world.”
Photos from @blythe
Photos from @blythe
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