Pacific Rim is a blockbuster with robots punching monsters. Yes, it's directed by Guillermo del Toro, but it's a blockbuster with robots punching monsters first. So for every moment of practical creature effects or compositioned CGI fight scene, the ultimate feeling coming out of it is that you've seen a blockbuster with robots punching monsters. But because of that name in the end credits it's been regarded as some pinnacle of popcorn entertainment, with people (apparently) clamouring for a sequel. I'm not saying that it's anything close to a Transformers flick - this is the product of an artistic director - but just that, at the end of the day, it's an average blockbuster with, yes, robots punching monsters. Crimson Peak is very similar to that - it's a haunted house story that forgoes ghost chills in the third act for a "more rational" near unkillable crazy person hacking away at the hero with a knife. There's a competence to some elements and visually it's creative, but when you boil it down what you're watching is neither a novel idea nor an existing one well-executed; it is, for lack of a better word, generic. Oh, but it's an original project directed by Guillermo del Toro, so five stars and back-pats all round. Have you seen Crimson Peak? What did you think? Share your thoughts down in the comments.
