Pacific Rim Uprising#Critical Reception

{{Infobox film

| image = Pacific Rim - Uprising (2018 film).jpg

| alt = The four Jaeger robots are preparing for battle in the destroyed city with the weapons. The film's tagline, "Rise up", is displayed along the top.

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Steven S. DeKnight

| writer = {{Plainlist|

Steven S. DeKnight
Emily Carmichael
T. S. Nowlin
Kira Snyder

}}

| based_on = {{Based on|Characters|Travis Beacham}}

| producer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| cinematography = Dan Mindel

| editing = {{Plainlist|

Zach Staenberg
Dylan Highsmith
Josh Schaeffer

}}

| music = Lorne Balfe

| studio = {{Plain list |

Legendary Pictures
Double Dare You Productions
UpperRoom Productions

}}

| distributor = Universal Pictures{{cite web|url=https://www.legendary.com/film/pacific-rim-uprising/|title=Pacific Rim Uprising|date=October 6, 2017|publisher=Legendary Pictures|access-date=December 29, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/official-legendary-signs-deal-universal-583108|title=It's Official: Legendary Signs Deal With Universal|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=December 29, 2017|author=THR Staff|date=July 10, 2013}}

| released = {{Film date|2018|3|21|TCL Chinese Theatre|2018|03|23|United States}}

| runtime = 111 minutes{{cite web|title=Pacific Rim Uprising (12A)|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/pacific-rim-uprising-2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315070638/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/pacific-rim-uprising-2018|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 15, 2018|publisher=British Board of Film Classification|access-date= March 13, 2018 }}

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $150–176 million{{efn|Box Office Mojo reported the film's budget to be $150 million. Deadline Hollywood reported the budget to be $155 million but also noted that other analysts marked the budget at $176 million.}}

| gross = $290.9{{nbsp}}million{{cite Box Office Mojo |id=2557478 |title=Pacific Rim Uprising|access-date=November 15, 2023 }}

}}

Pacific Rim Uprising is a 2018 American science fiction monster film directed by Steven S. DeKnight and written by DeKnight, Emily Carmichael, Kira Snyder and T. S. Nowlin. It is the second installment in the Pacific Rim franchise. Guillermo del Toro, director of the first movie, serves as a producer. The sequel stars John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Cailee Spaeny, Jing Tian, Adria Arjona and Zhang Jin, with Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, and Burn Gorman returning from the original film. Set ten years after the events of the first film, Pacific Rim Uprising sees former pilot and Stacker Pentecost's son Jake returning to the Pan Pacific Defense Corps to prevent a renewed Kaiju–giant sea monsters threat sent by the extraterrestrial Precursors.

Principal photography began in November 2016 in Queensland, Australia.{{Cite web |title=Pacific Rim Uprising |url=https://screenqueensland.com.au/made-in-queensland/pacific-rim-uprising/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Screen Queensland |language=en-US}} Pacific Rim Uprising premiered in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on March 15, 2018, and was released in the United States on March 23, by Universal Pictures. With a gross of $291 million worldwide, the film was considered a box-office disappointment. It received mixed reviews from critics, with many considering it inferior to del Toro's film. It was followed in 2021 by a 14-episode animated series on Netflix.

Plot

In 2035, ten years after the Breach—an interdimensional portal on which the extraterrestrial Precursors and giant sea monsters called Kaiju live—was sealed,{{efn|As depicted in Pacific Rim (2013)}} former Jaeger pilot and Stacker Pentecost's son Jake makes a living by stealing and selling Jaeger parts on the black market in Santa Monica, California. After he tracks part of a disabled Jaeger's power core to the secret workshop of fifteen-year-old Jaeger enthusiast Amara Namani, both are apprehended by the Pan Pacific Defense Corps (PPDC) following an altercation between Amara's small, single-pilot Jaeger Scrapper and the law enforcement Jaeger November Ajax. Jake's adoptive sister and Japanese Senator Mako Mori persuades him to return to PPDC as an instructor to avoid prison, with Amara as his recruit.

Arriving at the China Shatterdome, Jake starts training Jaeger cadets with his estranged former co-pilot Nathan "Nate" Lambert. Nate and Mako explain that the Jaeger program is threatened by the Shao Industries' new drone program, which offers to mass-produce Jaeger drones developed by Liwen Shao and Dr. Newton "Newt" Geiszler. Mako is due to deliver a final assessment to determine the approval of the drones at a PPDC council meeting in Sydney, but is killed by a rogue Jaeger, Obsidian Fury, during an altercation with the latter and Gipsy Avenger, Jake and Nate's Jaeger, before she can. Her death prompts the PPDC council to authorize and deploy the drones immediately. Obsidian Fury escapes into the ocean before backup Jaegers can apprehend it.

Moments before her death, Mako had transmitted the location of a defunct Jaeger production facility in Siberia. Jake and Nate travel there in Gipsy Avenger, but Obsidian Fury destroys the complex and engages them in battle. Although Obsidian Fury initially has the upper hand, Gipsy Avenger is able to overpower the Jaeger. Upon removing its reactor, they find that Obsidian Fury was controlled not by humans, but by a Kaiju's secondary brain, which testing shows was grown on Earth.

When the drones reach their respective locations, their piloting operations are hijacked by cloned Kaiju brains secretly mounted onboard. The Kaiju-Jaeger hybrids simultaneously attack all Shatterdomes, inflicting heavy casualties and incapacitating almost all Jaegers. While attempting to disable the drones, Dr. Hermann Gottlieb discovers that Newt, whose mind is possessed by the Precursors due to the scientists' drift with Kaiju brains, is responsible for the attack when he commands the Kaiju-Jaeger hybrids to open multiple breaches across the Pacific Rim. Newt has also placed the brains for both the drones and Obsidian Fury in proceeding the Precursors' plan.

As Liwen destroys the drones, closing the breaches in the process, three Kaiju—Hakuja, Shrikethorn, and Raijin—had already emerged and reached Tokyo. The team realizes that the Precursors' true goal is to detonate Mount Fuji with the Kaijus' blood which will cause every volcano lining the Ring of Fire to erupt, releasing volcanic matter into the atmosphere and wiping out all life on Earth. This simultaneously causes terraformation of the planet for Precursor colonization.

The cadets are mobilized while Hermann and Liwen repair the PPDC's four salvageable Jaegers; Hermann develops Kaiju-blood-powered rockets, which launch the team to Tokyo. Although the Jaegers, including Gipsy Avenger, initially repel the three Kaiju, Newt merges them into a "Mega-Kaiju" using robotic parasites from one of Liwen's factories. Three of the four Jaegers are destroyed, leaving Gipsy Avenger as the only one remaining. Jake and Amara, replacing the injured Nate, pilot it against the Mega-Kaiju, with Liwen remote piloting Scrapper and aiding them by locating a rocket and welding it to Gipsy, which sends the Jaeger (with Scrapper holding on) into the atmosphere and free-falling back to Earth, colliding into the Mega-Kaiju and killing it at the last second; Jake and Amara survive by transferring to Scrapper. Enraged at the Mega-Kaiju's death, Newt attempts to initiate a "Plan B" but is knocked out and captured by Nate. Later, Jake speaks with Newt, who warns of the Precursors' return. Jake states that humanity is preparing for the upcoming war.

Cast

John Boyega as Jake Pentecost, the son of Stacker Pentecost, the adoptive younger brother of Mako, and Nate and Amara's partner.{{cite web|url=http://omegaunderground.com/2017/01/09/rinko-kikuchi-and-karl-urban-are-in-pacific-rim-uprising-character-names-revealed/|title=Rinko Kikuchi and Karl Urban Are In 'Pacific Rim Uprising'; Character Names Revealed?|work=Omega Underground|last=Marc|first=Christopher|date=January 9, 2017|access-date=April 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118052810/http://omegaunderground.com/2017/01/09/rinko-kikuchi-and-karl-urban-are-in-pacific-rim-uprising-character-names-revealed/|archive-date=January 18, 2017|url-status=dead}}
Scott Eastwood as Nathan "Nate" Lambert, Jake's estranged co-pilot and partner who piloted the Gipsy Avenger.
Jing Tian as Liwen Shao, a businesswoman and technologist who joins the PPDC against the Precursor Emissary.
Cailee Spaeny as Amara Namani, a street orphan who created a civilian Jaeger, Scrapper, and piloted the Jaeger Bracer Phoenix. She later becomes Jake's partner after Nate is injured by the Mega-Kaiju.
Madeleine McGraw as Young Amara
Rinko Kikuchi as Mako Mori, the adoptive older sister of Jake and the former pilot of Gipsy Danger who is now the secretary general of the reorganized PPDC and the senator of Japan working with Hermann.
Burn Gorman as Hermann Gottlieb, a scientist and officer who stayed and continued to work in PPDC with Mako.
Adria Arjona as Jules Reyes, an officer of the PPDC.
Max Zhang as Marshal Quan Chenglei, a commanding officer in the PPDC.{{cite news|last=McNary|first=Dave|author-link=Dave McNary|title=Chinese Action Star Zhang Jin Joins Pacific Rim 2|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/chinese-star-zhang-jin-pacific-rim-2-1201924008/|access-date=November 22, 2016|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=November 21, 2016}}
Charlie Day as Dr. Newton "Newt" Geiszler, a former scientist and officer in the PPDC who becomes the emissary of the Precursors after his mind is possessed by them.
Wesley Wong as Ou-Yang Jinhai, Viktoriya and Amara's partner and cadet who piloted the Jaeger Bracer Phoenix.
Karan Brar as Suresh Khuran, Ilya's partner and cadet who piloted the Jaeger Guardian Bravo.{{cite news|last1=N'Duka|first1=Amanda|title=Pacific Rim 2 Casts Karan Brar; Neil Brown Jr. Joins Marlon Wayans In 'Naked'|url=https://deadline.com/2016/10/pacific-rim-2-karan-brar-neil-brown-jr-marlon-wayans-naked-1201838610/|access-date=October 19, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=October 18, 2016}}
Ivanna Sakhno as Viktoriya Malikova, Ou-Yang's partner, a cadet who piloted the Jaeger Bracer Phoenix and starts out as Amara's rival.{{cite news|last1=N'Duka|first1=Amanda|title='X-Men' Actress Lana Condor Joins Alita: Battle Angel; Pacific Rim Sequel Adds Ivanna Sakhno|url=https://deadline.com/2016/10/x-men-lana-condor-alita-battle-angel-pacific-rim-2-ivanna-sakhno-1201834792/|access-date=December 5, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=October 11, 2016}}
Mackenyu as Ryoichi Hatayama, Renata's partner and cadet who piloted the Jaeger Saber Athena.{{cite news|last1=N'Duka|first1=Amanda|title=Stephen Root Cast In 'The Empty Man'; Mackenyu Joins 'Pacific Rim' Sequel|url=https://deadline.com/2016/10/stephen-root-the-empty-man-pacific-rim-sequel-1201843384/|access-date=November 6, 2022|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=October 26, 2016}}
Lily Ji as Meilin Gao, a cadet in the PPDC.
Shyrley Rodriguez as Renata Gutierrez, Ryoichi's partner who piloted the Jaeger Saber Athena.{{cite news|last1=N'Duka|first1=Amanda|title=Shyrley Rodriguez & Chinese Stars Added To Pacific Rim 2; Cole Sand Enrolls In 'Magic Camp'|url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/shyrley-rodriguez-pacific-rim-2-wheels-cole-sand-magic-camp-1201857096/|access-date=November 22, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=November 21, 2016}}
Rahart Adams as Tahima Shaheen, a cadet in the PPDC.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/austin-stowell-horse-soldiers-rahart-adams-pacific-rim-2-1201854430/|title=Austin Stowell Cast In 'Horse Soldiers'; Rahart Adams Boards 'Pacific Rim' Sequel|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=November 15, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|access-date=June 11, 2017}}
Levi Meaden as Ilya Zaslavsky, Suresh's partner and cadet who piloted the Jaeger Guardian Bravo.
DeKnight cameos as a PPDC general on a recruitment banner.

Production

=Development=

In 2012, prior to the first film's release, del Toro noted that he had ideas for a sequel,{{cite magazine|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/07/14/pacific-rim-comic-con/|title=Pacific Rim Comic-Con panel: Giant robots! Giant monsters! Giant monster American Idol!|last=Vary|first=Adam B.|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time|date=July 14, 2012|access-date=July 28, 2012|archive-date=July 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717180247/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/07/14/pacific-rim-comic-con/|url-status=dead}} adding in 2014 that he had been working on a script with Zak Penn for several months.{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/jarettwieselman/guillermo-del-toro-says-pacific-rim-2-script-is-in-the-works|first1=Jarrett|last1=Wieselman|first2=Adam B.|last2=Vary|title="Pacific Rim 2" Script In The Works, Says Guillermo del Toro|work=BuzzFeed|date=June 8, 2014 |access-date=June 8, 2014}} In June 2014, del Toro stated that he would direct the sequel, and the film's distribution was taken over by Universal Pictures.{{cite news|last=McNary|first=Dave|author-link=Dave McNary|title='Pacific Rim 2' Confirmed for April 7, 2017, Release|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/pacific-rim-2-confirmed-for-april-7-2017-release-1201251654/|access-date=June 27, 2014|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=June 26, 2014}} In July 2015, it was reported that filming was expected to begin in November, though production was halted following conflicts between Universal and Legendary. As the sequel's future became unclear, Universal indefinitely delayed the film.{{cite web|last1=Han|first1=Angie|title=Pacific Rim 2 Delayed Indefinitely, May Be Cancelled Altogether|date=September 16, 2015|access-date=July 13, 2018|work=/Film|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/pacific-rim-2-delay/}}{{cite web|last1=Han|first1=Angie|title=Pacific Rim 2 Pushed Off Universal's Release Calendar; 'Pitch Perfect 3' Gets New Date|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/pacific-rim-2-release-date-cancelled/|date=September 29, 2015|website=/Film|access-date=January 18, 2017}} Still determined to have the film made, del Toro kept working and by that October announced that he had presented the studio with a script and a budget.{{cite web|last1=Han|first1=Angie|title=Pacific Rim 2 Has a New Script Draft, Because Guillermo del Toro Does Not Give Up|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/pacific-rim-2-now-has-a-script-because-guillermo-del-toro-never-gives-up/|date=October 29, 2015|website=/Film|access-date=January 27, 2017}}

After the sale of Legendary to Chinese Wanda Group for $3.5 billion,{{Cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Kaiman |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-wanda-buys-legendary-entertainment-20160111-story.html |title=China's Dalian Wanda Group buys Legendary Entertainment for up to $3.5 billion |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 11, 2016 |access-date=January 12, 2016}} observers noted an increased likelihood of Pacific Rim 2{{'}}s production being revitalized because the first film was so successful in China.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/legendary-china-wanda-pacific-rim-2/|title=Legendary Acquired by China's Wanda; Pacific Rim 2 Hopeful?|work=Collider|access-date=June 23, 2017|publisher=Complex Media|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|date=January 11, 2016}}

In February 2016, the studio, and del Toro himself via Twitter, announced that Steven S. DeKnight would take over directing duties, with a new script written by Jon Spaihts, marking DeKnight's feature directorial debut. Del Toro remained on the project as a producer.{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title='Spartacus' Creator Steven S. DeKnight To Direct Pacific Rim 2|url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/pacific-rim-2-directed-by-steven-deknight-spartacus-creator-legendary-pictures-guillermo-del-toro-1201708221/|access-date=February 24, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=February 23, 2016}} Del Toro revealed he left the movie once the studio lost their reservations to the Toronto sound stages where the first film had been shot, as he was not willing to move to China to film the sequel given he would remain in the city to work in The Shape of Water.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/pacific-rim-2-guillermo-del-toro-comments/|title=The Baffling Reason Guillermo Del Toro Didn't Direct the 'Pacific Rim' Sequel|author=Peralta, Diego|date=October 8, 2023|work=Collider}} Derek Connolly was brought in on May 12, 2016, to rewrite the script again.{{cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Matt |url=https://collider.com/pacific-rim-2-screenwriter-derek-connolly/ |title=Pacific Rim 2 Hires Screenwriter Derek Connolly |work=Collider |publisher=Complex Media |date=May 12, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2016}}

=Casting=

Cast announcements began in June 2016, with John Boyega accepting a role,{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title='Star Wars' John Boyega Takes Lead In 'Pacific Rim' Sequel|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/john-boyega-pacific-rim-sequel-star-wars-the-force-awakens-1201767756/|access-date=June 7, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=June 6, 2016}}{{cite news |title=John Boyega will co-produce Pacific Rim 2 as well as star in it |url=https://filmindustry.network/john-boyega-will-co-produce-pacific-rim-2-well-star/31258 |publisher=Film Industry Network |date=June 7, 2016}} and news that Scott Eastwood was in talks appearing later that month.{{cite news|last1=Galuppo|first1=Mia|title=Scott Eastwood in Early Talks to Join Pacific Rim 2|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/scott-eastwood-early-talks-join-907874|access-date=July 1, 2016|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=June 30, 2016}} Further announcements took place in September{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Newcomer Cailee Spaeny Lands Female Lead in Pacific Rim 2 (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/cailee-spaeny-cast-in-pacific-rim-sequel-1201861762/|access-date=September 17, 2016|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=September 15, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Pacific Rim 2 Adds Chinese Actress Jing Tian|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/pacific-rim-2-john-boyega-jing-tian-1201867544/|access-date=September 22, 2016|date=September 21, 2016|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media}}{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/aftermath-levi-meaden-pacific-rim-sequel-1201868465/|title=Aftermath Star Levi Meaden Joins Pacific Rim Sequel (EXCLUSIVE)|last=McNary|first=Dave|author-link=Dave McNary|date=September 23, 2016|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|access-date=June 11, 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/pacific-rim-2-adria-arjona-emerald-city-1201826444/|title=Pacific Rim 2 Adds Emerald Citys Adria Arjona|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=September 26, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|access-date=June 11, 2017}} and November.{{cite news|last1=N'Duka|first1=Amanda|title=Austin Stowell Cast In Horse Soldiers; Rahart Adams Boards Pacific Rim Sequel|url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/austin-stowell-horse-soldiers-rahart-adams-pacific-rim-2-1201854430/|access-date=November 15, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=November 14, 2016}} A notable absence from the cast was Charlie Hunnam, who could not join the project because of his scheduling conflicts with King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.{{cite news|last1=Evry|first1=Max|title=Pacific Rim 2: Charlie Hunnam is Not Coming Back|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/705963-pacific-rim-2-charlie-hunnam-not-coming-back#/slide/1|access-date=July 27, 2016|work=ComingSoon.net|publisher=CraveOnline Media|date=July 26, 2016}}

=Filming=

Principal photography on the film began on November 9, 2016, in Australia.{{cite news|last1=Perry|first1=Spencer|title=Pacific Rim Sequel Title Confirmed as Production Begins|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/784647-pacific-rim-sequel-title-confirmed-as-production-begins#/slide/1|access-date=November 10, 2016|work=ComingSoon.net|publisher=CraveOnline Media|date=November 9, 2016}}{{cite tweet|user=stevendeknight|number=796475866037383168|title=Day 1 of shooting. The adventure begins... #PacificRim2|last=DeKnight|first=Steven S.|access-date=November 10, 2016|date=November 9, 2016}} On December 14, 2016, the official title was revealed to be Pacific Rim Uprising.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/pacific-rim-2-uprising-maelstrom-john-boyega-idris-elba-kaiju-jaeger-a7476391.html|title=Pacific Rim 2 has a new title and it couldn't be more basic|last=Loughrey|first=Clarisse|work=The Independent|date=December 15, 2016|access-date=December 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225195842/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/pacific-rim-2-uprising-maelstrom-john-boyega-idris-elba-kaiju-jaeger-a7476391.html|archive-date=December 25, 2016|url-status=live}} In January 2017, John Boyega was photographed in his costume in Sydney.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2017-01-10/john-boyega-photographed-in-costume-for-pacific-rim-uprising-film/.110778|title=John Boyega Photographed in Costume for Pacific Rim Uprising Film|date=January 10, 2017|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 14, 2021}} In February 2017, three new Jaegers for the film were revealed.{{cite web|url=http://www.pacificrim2-movie.com/news/first-look-at-pacific-rim-uprisings-new-jaegers|title=First look at Pacific Rim Uprising{{'}}s new Jaegers!|website=Pacific Rim 2 Movie News|date=February 9, 2017|author=Chris|access-date=April 20, 2018|archive-date=April 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407143719/http://www.pacificrim2-movie.com/news/first-look-at-pacific-rim-uprisings-new-jaegers|url-status=usurped}} On March 8, 2017, filming started in China.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/2017/03/09/pacific-rim-uprising-john-boyega-chinese-launch-ceremony/|title=Pacific Rim Uprising Gets a Traditional Chinese Launch Ceremony|website=Comicbook.com|last=Anderson|first=Jenna|date=March 8, 2017|access-date=April 20, 2018}} The Battle of Tokyo sequence was filmed in Seoul and Busan in South Korea using drones.{{cite web|url=http://vfxvoice.com/pacific-rim-uprising-filming-the-battle-of-tokyo/|title=PACIFIC RIM UPRISING: Filming the Battle of Tokyo|date=April 11, 2018|work=VFX Voice|last=Failes|first=Ian|access-date=April 11, 2018|publisher=Visual Effects Society}} Filming was completed on March 30, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/pacific-rim-2-uprising-filming-wrap/|title=Pacific Rim 2 Officially Wraps Filming|date=March 31, 2017|work=Screen Rant|last=Welch|first=Alex|access-date=March 21, 2018}}

=Visual effects=

The visual effects were done by DNEG (Double Negative), Atomic Fiction, Blind LTD and Territory Studio, with Peter Chiang and Jim Berney serving as visual effects supervisors.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cinefex.com/upcomingfilms/upcoming.php?id=531|title=Pacific Rim Uprising|access-date=November 28, 2018|archive-date=November 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128164640/http://www.cinefex.com/upcomingfilms/upcoming.php?id=531|url-status=dead}} Production designer Stefan Dechant tried to push "the look and the feel" of the Jaegers, stating that while in the original film they resembled tanks, the new generation of robots tried to be more like a fighter jet, adding more speed and strength and combining them into one. The robots became more acrobatic and had silhouettes and color schemes that allowed them to become distinct and recognizable. Artists from Industrial Light & Magic, who made the effects in the first film, helped develop Gipsy Avenger, a "sleek and advanced" upgraded version of Gipsy Danger which DeKnight often compared to the USS Enterprise in being "awe-inspiring" given its status as the Jaeger flagship.{{cite AV media|title=Next Level Jaegers|type=Featurette|location=Pacific Rim Uprising Blu-Ray}}

Music

Composer John Paesano was originally slated to be writing the score for the film, replacing the first film's composer Ramin Djawadi.{{cite web |url=http://www.pacificrim2-movie.com/news/john-pesano-score-pacific-rim-uprising |title=John Paesano to Score Pacific Rim Uprising |work=Pacific Rim 2 Movie News |author=Danzilla93 |access-date=April 20, 2018 |archive-date=August 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806100420/http://www.pacificrim2-movie.com/news/john-pesano-score-pacific-rim-uprising |url-status=usurped }} However, in January 2018, it was announced that Paesano had been replaced by Lorne Balfe,{{cite web|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2018/01/24/lorne-balfe-scoring-pacific-rim-uprising/ |title=Lorne Balfe Scoring Pacific Rim Uprising |work=Film Music Reporter |author=filmmusicreporter |date=January 24, 2018 |access-date=March 14, 2018}} who recorded his score at Synchron Stage in Vienna.{{Cite web |title=Pacific Rim Uprising - SynchronStage Vienna |url=https://www.synchronstage.com/en/projects/pacific_rim_uprising |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=www.synchronstage.com}} The soundtrack was digitally released on March 23, 2018, by Milan Records with the physical format being released later on April 6, 2018.

Marketing

Legendary Comics released Pacific Rim: Aftermath on January 17. 2018. The six-issue comic book series serves as a bridge between the two films.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/pacific-rim-aftermath-comic-series-launches-january-1050327 |title=Pacific Rim: Aftermath Comic Series Launches in January |last=McMillan |first=Graeme |work=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=October 19, 2017 |access-date=April 1, 2018}}

On March 13, Titan Books released Pacific Rim Uprising: Ascension, a prequel novel written by Greg Keyes.{{ISBN missing}}

Release

=Theatrical=

Pacific Rim Uprising premiered on March 21, 2018, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.{{Cite web |date=March 21, 2018 |title=World premiere of Pacific Rim: Uprising at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood |url=https://www.foxla.com/news/world-premiere-of-pacific-rim-uprising-at-tcl-chinese-theatre-in-hollywood |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930033849/https://www.foxla.com/news/world-premiere-of-pacific-rim-uprising-at-tcl-chinese-theatre-in-hollywood |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |access-date=September 27, 2023 |website=KTTV}} It was initially scheduled for released on April 7, 2017, but was later pushed back to August 4, 2017,{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/pacific-rim-2-release-date-warcraft-the-mummy-1201478865/|title='Pacific Rim 2' Pushed Back to Summer 2017|last=Stedman|first=Alex|website=Variety|date=April 23, 2015|access-date=June 10, 2021}} then February 23, 2018,{{cite news|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|title='Pacific Rim 2' Starring John Boyega Gets 2018 Release Date For Legendary|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/pacific-rim-2-release-date-john-boyega-gets-guillermo-del-toro-universal-pictures-1201781932/|access-date=July 1, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=June 30, 2016}} and finally March 23, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/pacific-rim-uprising-release-date-change-1202141321/|title='Pacific Rim Uprising' Release Date Is Pushed By A Month To March 2018|date=August 2, 2017|first=Anita|last=Busch|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 10, 2021}}

=Home media=

Pacific Rim Uprising was released on Digital on June 5, 2018. A 4K Blu-ray, a Blu-ray 3D, a Blu-ray and a DVD was released on June 19, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/6139/Pacific-Rim-Uprising-2018.html|title=Pacific Rim Uprising (2018)|website=DVDs Release Dates|access-date=May 8, 2018}}

Reception

=Box office=

Pacific Rim Uprising grossed $59.9 million in the United States and Canada, and $231.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $290.9 million, against a production budget of about $150 million. Deadline Hollywood estimated that the film would have needed to gross $350 to $450 million to break even.

In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside Midnight Sun, Sherlock Gnomes, Unsane, and Paul, Apostle of Christ, and was projected to gross $22–29{{nbsp}}million from 3,703 theaters in its opening weekend.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/pacific-rim-uprising-box-office-preview-black-panther-1202731544/|title=Box Office Preview: Pacific Rim Uprising Set to Break 'Black Panther's' Five-Week Streak|first=Rebecca |last=Rubin|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=March 21, 2018|access-date=March 21, 2018}} The film made $2.35{{nbsp}}million from Thursday night previews, down from the original's $3.5{{nbsp}}million, and $10.4 million on its first day (including previews). It went on to debut to $28 million, becoming the first film to dethrone Black Panther (which made $16.7 million in its sixth week) for the top spot.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/pacific-rim-uprising-black-panther-weekend-box-office-1202352184/|title=Does 'Pacific Rim Uprising' Break Even At The Global B.O.?; 'Black Panther' Sets Marvel Record – Sunday Postmortem|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=March 25, 2018 |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro|access-date=March 25, 2018}} It fell 67% to $9.2 million in its second weekend, finishing 5th.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/04/ready-player-one-steven-spielberg-opening-weekend-box-office-1202318581/|title=How Warner Bros. Sold Ready Player One On The Spielberg Spirit & Beat Tracking With $53M+ 4-Day – Sunday Postmortem|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=April 1, 2018 |first1=Anthony |last1=D'Alessandro|access-date=April 2, 2018}}

In Korea, the film ranked first on March 22, with 82,486 admissions.{{cite news|last1=Seong-Yun|first1=Park|title=[3월 22일 영화순위] 1위 '퍼시픽 림: 업라이징', 2위 '지금 만나러 갑니다', 3위 '사라진 밤'|work=The WebDaily|date=March 23, 2018|url=http://news.webdaily.co.kr/view.php?ud=201803230002044412edd30a1692_7|access-date=April 20, 2018}} In China, the film opened at number one, grossing $21.36{{nbsp}}million on its first day{{cite web|title=Daily Box Office > China (03/23/2018)|url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/daily/?date=03%20/23%20/2018|publisher=EntGroup|access-date=March 24, 2018}} and $25.84{{nbsp}}million on its second, for a two-day gross of $48.59{{nbsp}}million.{{cite web|title=Daily Box Office > China (03/24/2018)|url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/daily/?date=03%20/24%20/2018|publisher=EntGroup|access-date=March 24, 2018}} It went on to have a debut of $65 million in the country, as well as $6.9 million in Korea, $6.8 million in Russia and $4.9 million in Mexico, for an international opening weekend of $122.5 million.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/pacific-rim-uprising-china-black-panther-tomb-raider-coco-peter-rabbit-international-box-office-weekend-results-1202353014/|title=Pacific Rim Uprising Tops $150M In Global Bow; 'Black Panther' Now #1 Solo Superhero Movie WW – International Box Office|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media |date=March 25, 2018 |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione|access-date=March 25, 2018}}

= Critical response =

{{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|Pacific Rim Uprising won't win any points for subtlety or originality, but it delivers enough of the rock 'em-sock 'em robots-vs.-kaiju thrills that fans of the original will be looking for.|ref=yes|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}} {{MC film|45|44|ref=yes|access-date=2024-07-09}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, with PostTrak reporting filmgoers gave it an overall positive score of 76%.

Mark Kennedy of the Associated Press called the film "cheer-at-the-screen fun" and awarded it 3.5 out of 4 stars, lauding Boyega's performance and his chemistry with Spaeny, while also commending DeKnight for using daylight instead of the rainy night settings of del Toro.{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Mark |date=March 21, 2018 |title=Review: Pacific Rim Uprising is cheer-at-the-screen fun |url=https://apnews.com/3d8cdc275a3340598ceee8a6bba0a9f1/Review:-'Pacific-Rim-Uprising'-is-cheer-at-the-screen-fun|work=Associated Press |access-date=March 22, 2018}} Ethan Sacks of New York Daily News gave the film 3 out of 5 stars, and was also positive of Boyega's and Spaeny's performances, comparing Boyega's character to Han Solo. However, he criticized the dense backstories of the characters, noting that, "a movie about massive monster-fighting robots doesn't need so much engineering."{{cite news |last=Sacks |first=Ethan |date=March 20, 2018 |title=Pacific Rim Uprising review: not the giant action romp it should be |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/pacific-rim-uprising-review-not-giant-action-romp-article-1.3885987|work=New York Daily News |access-date=March 22, 2018}}

Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 2 out of 4 stars, saying: "The climactic battle drags on forever and looks like a high-tech update of a monster movie clash of the titans from a half-century ago. Even the sight of the residents of Tokyo scrambling for their lives as a giant lizard monster stomps through the city serves only as a reminder we're sitting through a glorified B-movie with nothing new to say."{{cite news |last=Roeper |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Roeper |date=March 21, 2018 |title=Pacific Rim Uprising: Tedious sequel a sea change from original monster movie|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/pacific-rim-uprising-tedious-sequel-a-sea-change-from-original-monster-movie/|work=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=March 21, 2018}} David Ehrlich of IndieWire gave the film a "C−", calling it a "generic and diverting sequel that corrects some of the original's biggest mistakes while also highlighting some of its more eccentric charms."{{cite web |last=Ehrlich |first=David |date=March 20, 2018|title=Pacific Rim Uprising Review: This Bland Sequel Is Only a Minor Improvement on Guillermo del Toro's Original|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/03/pacific-rim-uprising-review-john-boyega-1201940986/|work=IndieWire |publisher=Penske Business Media |access-date=March 21, 2018}}

Cary Darling of the Houston Chronicle gave it 1.5 out of 5 stars and called it the worst film of 2018 so far, being especially critical of its bland premise and pandering attempt at international marketability. Darling concluded, "Pacific Rim Uprising is a lot like the city-crunching monsters it stars: big, loud and as dull-witted as Homer Simpson roused from a medically induced coma. It's a rote, paint-by-numbers blockbuster that would be offensive in its mediocrity if it also weren't so relentlessly uninspired," and "all that's left is the robot brawling and the marketing."{{cite news |last=Darling |first=Cary |date=March 21, 2018 |title=Is Pacific Rim Uprising the worst movie of 2018 so far?|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies/article/Is-Pacific-Rim-Uprising-the-worst-movie-of-2018-12771765.php|work=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=March 22, 2018}} Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of The A.V. Club called the film an "impersonal sequel," stating "simply put, it lacks its predecessor's curiosity about its world—its fascination with colorful backdrops and machines. Del Toro's movie [...] had an idealistic vision for its anime-influenced hobby-store pursuits [...] Pacific Rim Uprising offers only its spare parts."{{cite news |last=Vishnevetsky |first=Ignatiy |author-link=Ignatiy Vishnevetsky |date=March 21, 2018 |title=Guillermo Del Toro's geeky Pacific Rim gets an impersonal sequel in Uprising|url=https://www.avclub.com/guillermo-del-toro-s-geeky-pacific-rim-gets-an-imperson-1823955570|work=The A.V. Club |publisher=The Onion |access-date=March 22, 2018}} Similarly, Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle noted that "DeKnight doesn't attempt to invest his monsters with majesty, the way Guillermo del Toro did in the previous film. With DeKnight it's just a lot of pounding, smashing and driving, purely functional."{{cite news |last=LaSalle |first=Mick |author-link=Mick LaSalle |date=March 21, 2018 |title=Angry monsters are back, but Guillermo del Toro isn't, in Pacific Rim sequel |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/movies/article/Angry-monsters-are-back-but-Guillermo-del-Toro-12770878.php|work=San Francisco Chronicle |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=March 22, 2018}}

=Accolades=

Pacific Rim Uprising was nominated in two categories at the 2018 Golden Trailer Awards: "Untouchable" (Inside Job) for Best Music and "Pacific Rim Uprising" (AV Squad) for Best Sound Editing.{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=May 9, 2018 |title=Golden Trailer Award Nominations: The Shape Of Water, Hitman's Bodyguard Top List |url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/golden-trailer-awards-2018-nominations-list-1202386445/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328222157/https://deadline.com/2018/05/golden-trailer-awards-2018-nominations-list-1202386445/ |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=September 6, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |date=May 31, 2018 |title=Black Panther Wins Top Prize at Golden Trailer Awards |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/black-panther-prize-golden-trailer-awards-1202827408/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601064823/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/black-panther-prize-golden-trailer-awards-1202827408/ |archive-date=June 1, 2018 |access-date=September 6, 2022 |website=Variety}} At the 2018 Teen Choice Awards, it received nominations for Choice Action Movie and Choice Action Movie Actor (Boyega).{{Cite web |date=August 12, 2018 |title=Teen Choice Awards: Winners List |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/teen-choice-awards-2018-full-list-winners-1134169 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813030438/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/teen-choice-awards-2018-full-list-winners-1134169 |archive-date=August 13, 2018 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

Future

=Possible sequel=

In October 2017, five months before the film's release, DeKnight stated "If enough people show up to this, we've already talked about the plot of the third movie, and how the end of the third movie would expand the universe to a Star Wars/Star Trek-style [franchise or series] where you can go in many, many different directions... You can go main canon, you can go spin-offs, you can go one-offs. Yeah, that's the plan."{{cite news|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/pacific-rim-universe/|title=Expanded Pacific Rim Universe May Be Coming Soon, Says 'Uprising' Director|last=Pearson|first=Ben|work=/Film|date=October 9, 2017|access-date=October 22, 2017}} DeKnight also talked about the possibility of a crossover with the MonsterVerse;{{cite news|url=https://collider.com/pacific-rim-godzilla-king-kong-crossover-monsters-universe/#steven-s-deknight|title=Exclusive: 'Pacific Rim Uprising' Director Says Crossover with Godzilla and King Kong Is Possible|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|publisher=Complex Media|work=Collider|date=October 20, 2017|access-date=October 22, 2017}} co-writer T.S. Nowlin was a member of the writers' room for Godzilla vs. Kong.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/kong-skull-island-sequel-plans-godzilla-kong-sets-writers-room-984992|title=Godzilla vs. Kong Film Sets Writers Room (Exclusive)|last=Kit|first=Borys|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=March 10, 2017|access-date=March 10, 2017}} {{As of|2021|1}}, del Toro currently has no plans to return for a third installment.{{Cite web |last=Anderton |first=Ethan |date=2021-12-28 |title=Will There Be A Pacific Rim 3? Here's What We Know |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/719060/will-there-be-a-pacific-rim-3-heres-what-we-know/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=/Film}}

=Animated series=

On November 8, 2018, Netflix announced Pacific Rim: The Black, an original anime series that expands upon the story and universe of the two live-action movies. The first seven-episode season was released on March 4, 2021, the second and final season was released on April 19, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=2021-03-31 |title="Pacific Rim: The Black" Will Return to Netflix for a Second Season! |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/tv/3658316/pacific-rim-black-will-return-netflix-second-season/ |website=Bloody Disgusting! |access-date=2022-04-20 }}{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=2022-03-23 |title=First Look: 'Pacific Rim: The Black' Final Season Debuts April 19 |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/anime/first-look-pacific-rim-the-black-final-season-debuts-april-19/ |website=Animation Magazine |access-date=2022-04-20 }}

Notes

References

External links

{{Official website|http://www.pacificrimmovie.com/}}
{{IMDb title|2557478}}
[https://www.allmovie.com/movie/pacific-rim-uprising-am109280 Pacific Rim Uprising] at AllMovie
{{Rotten Tomatoes|pacific_rim_uprising}}

Category:Pacific Rim (franchise)

Category:2018 films

Category:2018 3D films

Category:2018 action thriller films

Category:2018 science fiction action films

Category:2010s monster movies

Category:Films about alien invasions

Category:American monster movies

Category:American robot films

Category:American science fiction action films

Category:American science fiction adventure films

Category:American sequel films