Running head: THE REVOLUTION OF MAN VS.

MONSTER

The Revolution of Man vs. Monster Daniel Hering State College of Florida: Bradenton Campus

THE REVOLUTION OF MAN VS. MONSTER The Revolution of Man vs. Monster A science fiction film is a film that is scientifically unrealistic, if not involving science far beyond our reach or knowledge. The technology and nature is far more advanced, evolved, and unimaginable compared to todays world, which can range from deadlier weapons, giant robots, quantum physics, etc. (Perkowitz, 2010, p. 4). The scientists in these films are frequently signified to have higher divisions of standards, such as more tasteful appearances, as well as carrying out their obligations out in open world with a much more important role in humanity in one way or another, and not confined in a typical laboratory (p. 4). Lastly, science fiction films give themselves a hint of trepidation, normally from horrible entities on sprees of potential havoc on the world (p. 4). Guillermo del Toros Pacific Rim (2013) can stand taken as a science fiction primarily influenced by monsters from Japanese eiga (Fear, 2013). The film introduces the kaiju attack and humanities retaliation with the development of the jaeger. After losing his brother in a kaiju battle, Releigh Becket is recruited by a military organization that consists of other jaeger pilots such as himself and researchers formulating a solution to the invasion. Releigh finds Mako Mori a perfect match to dual pilot with him on his jaeger, but must convince her father that she is able to pilot a jaeger so they can act for the sake of humanity. The film, Pacific Rim, promotes the concept technology that are much more advanced than what we could imagine as audience are left amazed by the jaegers or what they are composed of and how they work. Additionally, a hints of terror intersperse the story as humanity struggles for survival and retaliation of the kaiju apocalypse. Lastly, the higher division of standards of the science fiction scientists of how they embrace a more tasteful appearance and a more active role in the world is a justified characteristic in this film genre.

THE REVOLUTION OF MAN VS. MONSTER The main concept that is considered is technology; thus, the jaegers exemplify the innovation of technology, which is involved in a science fiction film. When the Leatherback and the Otachi make an appearance, face-offs between them and various jaegers with various weapons transpires throughout the battle. This is how the advanced technology is implied as is exhibited by the variety of jaegers and weapons used to take down a kaiju. This subject is important the film, The Jaegers have several different designs, boasting different special attack features and leading to delightful variety in the fight scenes. This is the triumph of the film (Elison, 2013). During the quarrel with the Leatherback, Crimson Typhoon engages with buzz saw-ligaments to deal damage. When the Otachi ascends to the skies with Gispy Danger in its grasp, Gipsy Danger uses a samurai sword while airborne to bring defeat to the kaiju. The variety of jaegers and arsenal of weaponry emphasize the progression of unrealistic technology that is beyond the reach of our society anytime soon that is archived in a science fiction film. Elsewhere throughout Pacific Rim presents new technology and nature as the concept of the fusing of two minds is constituted in the film. This can be seen in the scene where one of the scientists involved in the jaeger militarys research is experimenting with a kaiju brain. Dr. Geiszler hooks up the equipment that is used for mind fusion to the kaiju brain in order to delve into the memories of the creature in search for answers to stopping the invasion. The scene reveals not only unconventional technology that can be used for such action, but also the idea of quantum physics that is applied to engage into a kaijus memory. Science is also found intriguing when Dr. Geiszler is found almost corrupted from the nature of what he has done to himself. He is found shaking and bleeding out of his nose, giving emphasis to how drastic the procedure was. This prospect extends the questionability of science and technology that is applied in the story

THE REVOLUTION OF MAN VS. MONSTER line, versus real life by exhibiting strange machinery that reveals even stranger nature of the world in the film. Usually, scientists have higher standards than what they are accustomed to in real life in science fiction films, such as a more tasteful appearance. This can easily be exemplified in the scene where the jaeger pilots are tested in combat to find who is a perfect match with who in terms of combat, as the typical jaeger in the movie requires two pilots. Instead of scientists wearing the classic lab coat, the science fiction scientist consist of a more physical physique that is impeccable for engaging in jaeger combat. Deadly combat styles are also displayed during this scene, as you can see with the pilots skill in two-handed weapon combat, as well as martial arts and locomotion techniques, wowing audiences with a show of intense battle. Toros assessment in this scene attested to be film-worthy for science fiction, due to the fact that it shows viewers that these are not their ordinary scientists. Not only do science fiction scientists embody a more sophisticated presence, they also take part in a more important role in the active world, rather than being confined in a laboratory. This is taken account in the scene where Gipsy Danger enters the dimensional rift in the Pacific Ocean floor in order to self-destruct. The fact that there is the point of no return for the pilots of the jaeger, Releigh and Mako, confirms how important their obligations are in the task that is at hand for them. Their job means the difference between hope for humanity and extinction of civilization, and the pilots know that their own lives are in jeopardy as well if they dont act fast, except that they are determined to fulfill their duties of closing the rift anyway. Toros choice in portraying this scene was noble in the fact that it give audiences the admiration of what the two said science fiction scientists are trying to do while they still strive for survival.

THE REVOLUTION OF MAN VS. MONSTER In addition to more active scientists that spark the ideals of science fiction, the hint of terror found in the concept of otherworldly entities is a key choice the Toro made for the making of a real science fiction film. As one can see in the prologue of the film, Toro captures the kaiju attack as best as he can to emphasize the trepidation. The colossal beings barely fit in the screen, which highlights their terrible size alone to viewers of the film. Additionally, one can understand a hint of devastation as the kaiju demolishes the bridge with minimal effort possible. This scene leaves audiences curious about how humanity has any chance against this kind of invasion of unknown creatures of a demoralizing scale. Another scene that exhibits terror among viewers is when Mako receives flashbacks when struggling to fuse her mind with Releigh as they both pilot Gipsy Danger together for the first time. Mako is shown as a mere child running away from a kaiju destroying military weaponry without a sweat. As the monster progresses toward her path, she seems hopeless as she redundantly searches for her mother, who is most likely deceased among the ruins, weeping in despair as she scurries with tattered clothes and one shoe in her hand. Toros choice in this scene was vital to delivering a feeling of suspense of a chase scene of a child and an enormous abomination not only in the scene alone, but also fading in and out of the flashback to exhibit Mako drowning in the flashback even with Releighs efforts to pull her out before she accidently vaporizes the military team with one of the jaegers weaponry. Basically, the film exhibits advanced and unimaginable technology that is emblematic in science fiction films: leaving audiences to question if such notions of advancement could even be possible in real life. The film also instills awe in the terror of colossal and, most importantly, otherworldly creatures that originate from a dimensional rift that wipe out major establishments of humanity, such as cities and bridges overseas. By concentrating on the futuristic military

THE REVOLUTION OF MAN VS. MONSTER utilizing professional pilots of combat experience and the skills for two pilots per jaeger to bind their minds together as one to assume control for humanities last hope, Guillermo del Toro makes audiences wonder about how this changes how they view scientists that are typically confined in a laboratory. The film carries on the science fiction genre and its criteria. However, the storyline of this genre is becoming more and more modernized and the special effects contribute to audiences a sense of realism, which is the aspiration for all fans of science fiction.

THE REVOLUTION OF MAN VS. MONSTER References Elison, M. (2013). Guillermo del Toro triumphs with Pacific rim. Retrieved from http://www.dailycal.org/2013/07/11/guillermo-del-toro-triumphs-with-pacific-rim/ Perkowitz, S. (2010). Looking for science fiction in movies? In S. Perkowitz (Ed.) Hollywood science: Movies, science, and the end of the world (pp. 4). Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com/lib/scf/docDetail.action?docID=10419494 Toro, G. (2013, July 10). Q&A: Pacific Rims Guillermo del Toro [Interview by D. Fear]. Retrieved from http://www.timeoutchicago.com/arts-culture/film/16340796/q-a-pacificrim%E2%80%99s-guillermo-del-toro Tull, T., Jashni, J., Toro, G. & Parent, M. (Producers) & Toro, G. (Director). (2013). Pacific rim. [iTunes]. United States of America: Warner Bros. Pictures.