At first glance, “Pacific Rim” may seem like a film with modest reviews and a big, bloated Hollywood budget. Yet underneath it all, the film has the potential to achieve cult classic status.
By definition, a cult classic is a film, TV show or piece of music that despite initial reviews and sales, achieves an enduring and lasting success or following.
In the case of “Pacific Rim,” it is likely the film will achieve cult classic status for a variety of reasons.
With summer in full swing and Hollywood churning out new blockbuster films every week, it’s hard to pinpoint which movies will truly move the film medium in a ground-breaking direction.
Directed by Guillermo Del Toro, “Pacific Rim” is one of those films.
“Pacific Rim” follows a series of pilots that operate giant humanoid robots in the fight against giant monsters from the depths of the Pacific Ocean labeled “Kaiju,” the Japanese word for “strange creature.”
The film combines stunning visuals along with a straightforward plot and diverse cast to create a compassionate tone in the face of a great struggle.
Drawing from multiple influences without directly paying homage to anyone in particular, “Pacific Rim” has the potential to become a cult classic.
One of the reasons why “Pacific Rim” will likely be a cult classic is the fact that it has received only modest success in the box office.
Filmed on a budget of $190 million, “Pacific Rim” arose from Del Toro’s desire to make a mecha-genre film.
As of Tuesday, the film has generated approximately $180 million in box office revenues, with $110 million coming from oveseas ticket sales.
To be a cult classic, a film like “Pacific Rim” must have low or modest success, and it meets this criterion.
While in the United States the mecha genre is limited to niche comics, mecha is a genre that is recognized throughout the world.
Many fans of the mecha genre can appreciate Del Toro’s use of mecha to fight the Kaiju in grandiose battles, including Del Toro’s conventional use of categorizing the size of the monsters to convey the sense of urgency and tension in each action scene.
Typically, fans of cult classics buy merchandise and contribute to film royalties. Fans of “Pacific Rim” will likely support the film in the same way.
Main actors Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi share lead roles in the film, providing multiple interpretations for fans to relate to the main characters.
Some fans connected with Kikuchi’s character, Mako, while others felt that her role was limited to only supporting Raleigh, Hunnam’s role in the film.
Fans of cult classics, like “Pacific Rim,” often identify with relatable characters, like Mako and Raleigh.
The idea of dressing up as film characters is also popular for fans of cult classics.
Another feature of cult classic movies is their ability start intense debates among fans.
In the case of “Pacific Rim,” some fans have debated that the film’s casting seemed stereotypical and borderline racist. Others, however, have said the film’s casting was diverse and unique.
The film is not without its objective drawbacks.
With weak plot narratives — such as fire explosions that occur underwater — and the way that characters discover the plot of the Kaiju, the loose ends in the storyline drive discussions for fiery debate.
As a result, “Pacific Rim” has the potential to be a cult classic through its big budget, modest box office success.
Because the film also pays homage to diehard fans of a the niche mecha genre, “Pacific Rim” futher improves its cult classic status.
With a sequel possibly being green-lit, Del Toro may have the opportunity to expand on the rich world that he created in “Pacific Rim.”
While it may not win an Oscar or Golden Globe, “Pacific Rim” will surely live on in the hearts and minds of its ever-growing worldwide fan-base.
Nicolas Rodriguez is a senior political science major and an assistant opinions editor at the Daily 49er.