Pacific Rim: Uprising Review — Loud Battles, Shallow Characters

Pacific Rim: Uprising wants to be bigger than its predecessor. It mostly succeeds at being louder instead.

The 2018 sequel picks up years after the first film’s war against the Kaiju ended. John Boyega returns as Jake Pentecost, now a skilled Jaeger pilot trying to find meaning beyond the battlefield. His search leads him to a young fighter named Amara (Cailee Spaeny), who joins the Pan-Pacific Defense Corps under Jake’s mentorship. The plot follows Jake as he tries to save Amara from the military’s plans for her, while also dealing with his own guilt over his late father, Stacker Pentecost.

Trailer, via Legendary.

Jake’s Father

Jake’s relationship with his father, Stacker, is the emotional core of the film. Stacker died in the original film’s climax, and Jake carries that loss with him. The film leans heavily on flashbacks to show Jake’s childhood with Stacker, painting a picture of a loving but distant father who pushed Jake into the Jaeger program. This history gives Jake’s arc some weight, even if the film doesn’t spend enough time in the present to let it breathe.

Amara’s Arc

Amara is the film’s new character, and she’s meant to be a fresh face for audiences. She’s a gifted fighter who can hold her own against the film’s monsters, but her arc is thin. The film introduces her as a potential threat, then quickly turns her into an ally. Her motivations are never fully explained, and her growth feels rushed.

The Kaiju

The Kaiju themselves are the film’s strongest asset. The creatures are massive, detailed, and genuinely terrifying. They smash cities, tear apart buildings, and leave destruction in their wake. The action sequences are loud, chaotic, and often thrilling. The film’s biggest set piece, a battle in Hong Kong, is a highlight.

The Problem With Jake

Boyega is charismatic and committed, but the script doesn’t give him much to do. He spends most of the film reacting to events rather than driving them. His arc is about his father, but the film never quite explains why Jake feels the way he does. The result is a lead performance that’s energetic but hollow.

The Script

The screenplay is where the film stumbles. It’s rushed, with too many characters introduced and discarded without proper development. The stakes are large, but the film never takes the time to make them personal. Scenes feel like setup for the next big fight rather than moments of character growth.

“The Kaiju are the stars of the show.”

That’s not a compliment to the film’s direction. It’s a statement of fact.

Comparison Table

Final Word

Pacific Rim: Uprising is a technically proficient film that fails to connect emotionally. Its battles are spectacular, but its characters are shallow. The film is better as a spectacle than as a story. It earns a 4.5 out of 10.

Jaegers · John Boyega · movie review · Pacific Rim · Uprising