Pacific Rim is one of the best Robot vs Monster movies I have seen. The monsters were brutal aliens from another dimension sent to take over the earth. They came in all sizes and forms and they were not to trifle with. The humans, on the other hand, had to adapt and created Huge metal robot machines operated by two pilots called jaegers. Consider a jaeger similar to an auto-bot(transformers) that is controlled by humans rather then AI. As visual and action packed as it was, the acting of some of the main characters added a realistic quality to the movie.
Action is good, but acting glues it all
together. The more realistic the acting is, the more realistic the
movie becomes. In this movie a few actors did a good job with their
assigned characters. Some of these character can be related
to real life high school bullies, athletic rookie hotshots and leaders who
appear to be in control while hiding dark secrets. When film
makers take the time to create quality acting, they do the same with
action.
Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam)
the main character, a jaeger polite, is who you would call an
athletic rookie hotshot that is bold, over confident and reckless. He
has a lot of potential but regularly challenges authority. He
believes that his way is the best way. He takes unnecessary risks
that causes more harm than good. When you have so much to offer, it
becomes a challenge to learn how to expand yourself without over
shadowing others.
Stacker Pentecost (Idris
Elba) is the man in charge of the resistance. He is firm,
encourages order and teamwork, and devotes himself to the survival of the human race. He has the well being of mankind in his heart but also keeps his own troubles out of the light. He begins to understand that rules will be broken.
Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi) is a
young female talented fighter that has trouble letting go of pain from
her past. She is quiet but very smart. She also appears emotionally
shelled when she realizes that she has feelings for Becket but not
sure how to handle it. She is a prime example of someone with a
hidden power that can only be unlocked if they learn how to let go of
what binds them to limits.
All three of these characters represent
people who exist in reality. There are some that had bad things
happen to them that forces them to find hidden strengths that they
did not know they had. Perhaps a way to heal wounds is to make
yourself stronger. There are some that can't help but to do things
their way until they learn that sometimes, you just have to do what
you are told. Even those who appear to have it together really are
trying to make a mends for what they have done in the past. To redeem
themselves is to be a good example for others to follow.
This type of acting is what film
professionals would call “Realism”. It gives a realistic
impression to the characters. The viewers don't have a problem
relating to the behavior of the characters because it is something
that is seen in real life. “Realism, as opposed to stylized action,
can also be though of as naturalistic. This is action that doesn't
draw attention to itself but instead gives the impression of genuine
human action and reaction” (Goodykoontz and Jacobs 2013, section 3.7,
heading: Realism, para: 1). If you can imitate real human
reaction, viewers are more willing to pay closer attention to the
plot.
There is another technique that is used to
helps bring out realistic human behavior in fantasy characters.
It is a method called “Method Acting” and is used by actors to
make their impression of realistic human behavior by remembering a
real emotional drama in the actor's life to help paint emotional
distress. “the Method requires that actors draw on their own
memories and experiences to reach the heart of a character, so that
they more genuinely feel the emotions they're portraying instead of
just pretending to” (Goody koontz and Jacobs 2013, section 3.7,
heading: Method Acting, para: 1).
A nice display of
this is from Marshall Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba). In an
elevator scene, Stacker begins to bleed from his nostrils. As he
realizes this, he swallows a doctor prescribed pill to help
with his unknown symptoms. If you watch closely you will see the
unsatisfactory in his body expression as he consumes the pill. His
looks like someone whose has it all but is actually suffering from a
hidden illness. The public sees one thing but there is a secret that
they are unaware about.
Charlie Hunnam
(Raleigh Becket) stars in a t.v. Series “Sons of Anarchy”.
He runs a gang that services manpower that enforces people to pay
debt that they owe to business people who use their services. In this
t.v. Series, he acts as a reckless manager that does things his way.
He use to work under another manager that offered the same service in
which he constantly challenged his authority. From his attitude, he
wanted to run the business himself and did his best to make all the
employees accept his decisions over the boss.
In the movie
Pacific Rim, Hunnam's attitude was similar. Again, he challengs
authority, made up his own mind, and was constantly making enemies.
You can tell the mentality of an actor based on the types of roles
they play and how well they play them. Hunnam must like playing the
rebel when it comes to acting. It seems he likes challenging
authorities.
Scene of Raleigh
expessing his dislike for Stackers decision of not letting Mako be
his CO-pilot.
Scenes of Charlie Hunnam as Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy
Acting is an art. Master it correctly, and you can bring to the scene that which can only be imagined.
Citations:
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From watching to seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. This text is a Constellation™ course digital materials (CDM) title.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNQl2Ii0H-I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0ICAkiEydc
