Wow, I actually agree with you 2 gents on PACIFIC RIM.

Yes the story is blockbuster autopilot with characters and arches borrowed from TOP GUN and INDEPENDENCE DAY and several other summer movies. But I admire that unlike the works of Michael Bay (and MAN OF STEEL), such a pitch doesn't end up being an excuse for poorly paced, boring mayhem porn. The filmmakers are actually intrigued by the concept of an everyday life where giant robots and monsters duke it out regularly. This is terrific science fiction regarding the thought put behind the machinery of these robots, along with the "Drifting" and all that.

I liked this. ***1/2 out of 5.