Pacific Rim and the art of storytelling

Original Sci-Fi movie by Guillermo Del Toro

Over the summer, my brother, my Dad and I were all in the same city one day and we decided that we wanted to see a movie. We’re all pretty big movie fans in general, but I confess we have a soft spot for sci-fi action in particular. This summer was no slouch to exciting fare. On this day we had a choice of World War Z, Pacific Rim, Iron Man 3, Man of Steel, Red2, RIPD, Fast and Furious 6 and Star Trek: ITD.

My brother, having seen many of the movies on deck already, suggested Pacific Rim. This was the show I’d heard the least about. I didn’t recognize the title and the cursory glance I’d given the marketing left me a little cold. It would not have been my first choice…or even my 2nd or third. What it did have was my new favorite actor Charlie Hunnam in it and it was a Guillermo del Toro movie. So when my brother mentioned it had the best review on Rotten Tomatoes I decided to take a chance.

I loved this movie. I had a blast and I enjoyed the storytelling in a way I haven’t enjoyed a sci-fi action movie in a long time. I left the theater feeling like my $$ (or my brother’s money as he treated) was very well spent. I wanted the movie to do well, to sell well. I wanted all of my friends to know what a good bargain this movie was. My enjoyment of this film felt more personal to me than other movies before it.

Somewhere in that high that comes after listening and watching a great story, I realized that perhaps one of the reasons I liked this story so much was because I’d never heard it before. I wasn’t sure it wasn’t from some obscure comic book that only pre-pubescent boys from 1972-74 would know, so I checked on my trusty Wikipedia. Sure enough: Pacific Rim was an original story. While it may have been based on archetypal realities of a few genres, it was conceived and written by Guillermo del Toro.

Let’s look at the aforementioned titles above. Every single one of them, save Pacific Rim is based on a book (including comics), sequel or both. In fact if you look at the Top Grossing films of 2013 so far (according to IMDB) every single one of the Top 9 are based on something else.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m a sucker for a good sequel. When someone takes the time and energy to create a world around which to tell a story and I like that world, it’s worth a second, third, or in the case of Fast and Furious, sixth look. Like old haunts from high school, we love going back to those old worlds to revisit our favorite characters, families and ways of life. But there is nothing quite like the thrill of a world newly discovered. Like Sade says, “It’s never as good as the first time.” It’s a pity we don’t get to have those first times more often.

It’s harder for me to love a re-told story onstage. I’m talking about stories taken from already “hot” properties. Movies-into-musicals is a particular challenge for me despite their abundance on today’s Broadway landscape. Even the very eloquently told renditions that I enjoy don’t quite hit the mark in some ways. I think it’s because stories from successful movies are inherently told without surprise. Conventional wisdom is if you liked the movie, you’ll buy a ticket to the musical. I’m not so sure that rings true. Regardless of how eloquently a movie’s story is told onstage you know what happens in the end before you even buy the ticket.

New story telling is a huge risk. I’m not sure if Pacific Rim’s considered a success or a failure yet. For one thing it cost $190 Million to make. As the global markets outside of the US are a big factor in charting a film’s success these days, it’s a little too soon to tell. It didn’t make enough in the US to be a sure thing but it didn’t do so poorly as to be a bomb either. Personally I hope you’ll treat yourself and go see it. It gives any of those more platinum properties a run for their money.

As for me, not only did I enjoy the movie, I also was inspired. I hope when the right original story comes my way, I’m not afraid to join the telling and I’m smart enough to give it every chance of competing with the Big Fish, Kinky Boots and (fill in the blank) out there.

Guillermo, have you ever thought about doing theater?