The monstrous Kaiju are back, and Jake, the son of war hero
Stacker Pentecost, is pressed into service. Using large robots, Jake and his
team must defeat the Kaiju before they destroy the world.
** SPOILERS AHEAD THE REST OF THE WAY **
The Adoption
Connection
In the first Pacific Rim movie, we learn that Stacker
Pentecost adopted Mako. Mako offers her adoptive brother Jake a way out of
going to prison. Their relationship isn’t very developed, and Mako does die
before the film ends.
Strong Points
Many characters act bravely. Some characters are able to
resolve interpersonal differences.
Jake reflects on Mako, “My dad took her in. She was my
sister, my family.”
A character is told, “It doesn’t matter who your parents
are, who believed in you and who didn’t. We are a family now. You need to
confront your past [in order to bond with others and function in the present.]”
It’s quite a stretch to apply this to adoption, but it was, I think, a good
line.
Challenges
Mako’s death isn’t really processed. It’s also sad in
context; in the first film, Mako was in danger and so Stacker took her in to
protect her. Ultimately she died in a similar war – but as a hero, not as a
victim.
Recommendations
Watching Pacific Rim Uprising feels like watching a Transformers movie. Big,
mechanized creatures fight on screen for much of the runtime of the film. There
are some interesting moments of dialogue, and some good lines which I’ve
highlighted in “Strong Points.” The adoption connection is present, but very
thin. The film seems likely to appeal to most teens 13 and up, and parents
could potentially make some conversation after the film about the concept of
sharing one’s mind with another.
Questions for
Discussion
Why did Amara need to confront her past? How could
confronting her past help her function in the present?
Is there anyone with whose mind you think you’d be compatible
enough to “drift”?
What made Jake and Mako a family? How did their family connection
show up?
Other Ideas
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