Netflix has added an exciting Idris Elba movie hailed 'irresistible fun' to its catalogue.
The movie first released in 2013 but actually takes place now, in 2025. While it failed to predict Donald Trump's presidency and the the rise of AI and ChatGPT, the action flick does vividly imagine humanity’s near-annihilation by terrifying sea monsters.
And to be totally honest, given all the advancements in technology and world events that have transpired since its release, colossal deep-ocean enemies sound pretty feasible.
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It comes as Netflix adds a slate of new titles to its platform every month, keeping its offerings fresh. The streaming service also removes a number of movies and TV shows too; something that catches us out every time.
Starring Idris Elba and directed by Guillermo del Toro, the movie transports us to a near‐future Earth, where there's been a horrifying development.
A dimensional rift called the Breach has opened on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, unleashing enormous sea monsters known as Kaiju.
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They violently demolish major port cities by smashing through sea walls and literally tearing buildings apart with their claws and sheer mass.
To fight back, humanity unites to build giant humanoid mechas called Jaegers, each co‐piloted by two individuals whose minds are linked through a process called the Drift.
The film centers on washed‐up pilot Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam), who is pulled out of retirement to co‐pilot the aging Jaeger 'Gipsy Danger' alongside rookie pilot Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi), under the command of Marshal Stacker Pentecost (Elba).
As of early 2021, the movie had grossed a huge $411.5 million worldwide. The film in question is, of course, Pacific Rim. It joined Netflix US on Tuesday, July 1.
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You can watch its trailer below.
The movie scored a solid 72 per cent from Rotten Tomatoes critics across 294 reviews, while audience members rated it slightly higher at 77 percent across more than 100,000 reviews.
The critics' consensus said: "It may sport more style than substance, but Pacific Rim is a solid modern creature feature bolstered by fantastical imagery and an irresistible sense of fun."
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Meanwhile, one fan hailed it 'an absolute must-watch,' adding: "Pacific Rim is the embodiment of hard work and true skill from the director and writers.
"The CGI is well crafted and the plot doesn’t cut corners. It’s a fun watch that sticks with you like nostalgia."
Over on IMDB, it's racked up a score of 6.9 out of ten.
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One person said it was 'epic in every proportion,' while another concluded: "Total escapism done with excellent design attention and detail."
Pacific Rim went on to become a franchise, with its sequel, Pacific Rim: Uprising, set 10 years after the original, releasing in 2018.
It follows Jake Pentecost (John Boyega), the son of Idris Elba’s character, as he rejoins the Pan Pacific Defense Corps to face a new Kaiju threat.
An animated series called Pacific Rim: The Black then dropped on Netflix in 2021, consisting of 14 episodes.
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It follows two siblings who pilot their own stolen Jaeger in a Kaiju-ravaged Australia.
Pacific Rim is streaming now on Netflix.
Topics: Netflix, Streaming, Rotten Tomatoes, Reddit, Twitter, Social Media
Ellie Kemp