1. Action And Plot Can Happen At The Same Time
When such a critically acclaimed director like Guillermo del Toro makes a proper blockbuster after a couple of niche flirtations youd expect something pretty assured. And in many ways Pacific Rim was a well put together movie, the directors childhood adoration of Kaiju movies present in the lovingly designed creatures which managed to overshadow the other, more basic elements. Where I feel the film stumbled, oddly enough, was in the action; the Hong Kong battle went on for so long that Id lost interest halfway through. The reason why what should have been the centre of the films spectacle instead had me watch glancing was because it stopped the plot of the movie dead for twenty minutes; unlike the opening or finale, there was no actual development during the fight. Take this contrast; the entirety of Inceptions second half is one long action sequence, but the plot moves as fast as it did in the first. When Nolan gives us an action sequence it isn't an interlude, but a different way to advance the story. Every time The Dark Knight Rises moved into a fight scene it was there to facilitate the plot as well as excite the viewer which pushed the underlying emotions front and centre. Sadly the Michael Bay rule of big action is ever present and using the sequences for plot development is a long forgotten rule. Whereas it was the norm in Star Wars (look at how much exposition was doled out in the lightsaber duels), now blockbusters tend to rely on spectacle alone to make their big action work, which is a risky move. Listen to Nolan, Hollywood. Improve your movies, don't have them identical to the rest of the flock and the riches will follow.
Any more things Nolan can show the industry? Or are you still not convinced? Let us know in the comments below.