Pacific Rim

The Official Movie Novelization

By: Alex Irvine

Narrated by: Jay Snyder, Christian Rummel

Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

The official novelization of the sci-fi blockbuster Pacific Rim from visionary director Guillermo del Toro!

When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, rise from the sea, a war begins that will take millions of lives and consume humanity's resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon is devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes - a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi) - who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind's last hope against the mounting apocalypse.

"I wanted to make not a war movie, but an adventure movie, with a huge, romantic sense of adventure, a sense of grandeur, and operatic battles...."
—Guillermo Del Toro

©2013 Legendary and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Good...Better if you liked the movie...

Despite this being a near direct adaptation of the movie, I felt as though there was a enough 'extras' to really make the read worth it. The book, as with most book/movie crosses, is allowed to delve much deeper into the universe. I read this book, hot off the heels of reading "All you Need Is Kill" the original book to the movie "Edge of Tomorrow". That book/movie adaptation breaks the mold. The book is very short, and pretty limited on characters, and universe setting fluff. The book basically gave you a frame work that the movie built around.

In this case, with Pacific Rim, the movie provided a pretty good universe and frame work that could be explored. The novelization of Pacific Rim does a decent job at expanding on this. In the book they have news reports that depict news anchors trying to get shots of the monsters, really cool classified reports of the status of Jaegers that give us some nice background fluff. This includes time lines of dates of commission, de-commission, total number of Kaiju killed, their spec's and what the Jaeger is outfitted with, the pilots, and where they were based out of. Very cool additions. It provides some nice history and references to Jaegers, Kaiju, and events that are mentioned or shown in the movie.
Another big bonus is the addition of things like "Kaiju Blue" which is a venomous disease that infects people with the death and rotting of a Kaiju corpse. I love this idea, because it makes so much sense. If these behemoth corpse are just strewn about cities, and their blood is acidic and deadly, then naturally, the rotting corpse will be a biohazard to humanity. In addition to this, all other manner of extra goodies are tossed in, even a blues song about Kaiju Blue xD.


As you can tell I'm a pretty big fan of back story, history, and lore when it comes to books and movies. And surprisingly, the book had a good amount of it. When I went to see Pacific Rim in theaters I was very very surprised by how much I enjoyed the movie. Usually I venture on the side of being pretty snobbish when it comes to action movies, but I think because of my love of the Godzilla franchise, and monsters and big robots...I really enjoyed it. I think there was definitely room for improvement of course. My biggest complaint is that the movie builds up the Jaegers to be these really awesome fighting machines, and we're expecting one hell of an knock down drag out fight between robots and monsters.... then boom, boom two out of four of them are destroyed within like 10 minutes. ::le sigh::

I would have liked to see some more interaction with the pilots as well. From what we got, they all seemed like archtypical stereotypes but it doesn't really detract. Of course there is rivalry between characters...but it seems forced and artificial. Besides "Chuck" the rival of our main character just having a chip on his shoulder, we're not given a reason really why. He just comes off as a douchebag. That's fine, but it seems like there should have been a reason...

Anyway, if you are a fan of the Pacific Rim lore, and background there is enough in this book to keep your interested, even if it is just the story of the movie. The book gives you enough (could have been more!) to keep your interest and even add some extra to the story.

Great Addition to the Movie!

As a huge fan of the Pacific Rim movie, I was both eager and hesitant to get this book. It absolutely did not disappoint. This book is a great movie tie-in that stays loyal to the story while adding a bunch of interesting details about the characters and the universe as a whole. If you enjoyed the movie, you'll definitely enjoy this book.

The narration and sounds effects were also excellent and added even more to the listening experience.

Excellent

I liked the movie, I could imagine Charlie Hunnam the whole story. I love both narrators from years of Audible books, Christian Rummel and Jay Snyder, so I decided to try it. It was such a great book I will find the whole series to listen to.

Just like the movie, and fleshes out the details

I bought this with some trepidation.
Usually adaptations are not well narrated or have a proper story.
That is not the case in this.
The story is really good and explains a lot of details absent in the movie.
Imagine the movie to be a preview trailer of this book.
Plus the narration is good and engrossing.

Made me watch the movie again

This is my first movie novelization book, and I enjoyed how detailed it is without taking away from the moments that made the movie worth rewatching.

Great book, and amazing narrator

The book itself was written perfectly, it is a great story about Titans and hardcore action. The best part for me was the narrator he played Raleigh and mako Mori perfectly. Would recommend to anyone who is interested in Titans and big Mechs

Very entertaining story well narrated

This is very entertaining audiobook and well narrated. If you enjoy science fiction, I think you'll like this book. It contains plenty of action, with pretty well developed characters.

That said, it is much better than the movie, and I can't recommend the movie at all.

Good worldbuilding, unnecessary heterosexuality

Learning more of the details of the Jaeger program, K science, the bone slums, and various civilian reactions to the kaiju was rad! Unfortunately I had to slog through a whole bunch of toxic masculinity and heterosexuality that the movie was blessedly free of. Do I recommend it? Eh, if you want the lore, sure I guess. Make your own choices.

best cheese ever

Sure, it's giant robots battling giant monsters. If that's not your cup of tea, don't bother. But if it is, this is a grear ride.

Dig the Movie? Love the Audio-Book!

Would you recommend this audio-book to a friend? If so, why?
If you liked Pacific Rim the film, this book is all the missing pieces and juicy details you want to know about the story in PR. Deeper knowledge of the Kaiju, where they come from, who made them...and why...! Each character is more fully explained. A great addition of so many more story details!

Every character jumps up to life with more depth. The love / hate Raleigh has with the whole world is good. I dig the two scientists. They really care for each other behind their constant fighting. Of course, Hannibal Chau the pirate in the black market.

I love the cool British toughness of Stacker Pentecost - played in the film by "Idris Elba" I could not think of him as any one else. I went back and re-watched his performance in the film, and marveled at all the extra depth I got out of his character from the detail in the book. A really wonderful performance. The best line in the book / movie: "First, Don't you ever touch me. Second, Don't you EVER touch me!" - the book and movie together enhanced my enjoyment of his acting performance.

What about Christian Rummel and Jay Snyder ’s performance did you like?
Really amazing...had to think sooo many pepole's voices came from so few. You get lost in the illusion.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Many... I got a LOT more emotional context of the characters.

Any additional comments?
This book added so much more to a already fantastic movie! I would have this audio book (or even paper book) be a strongly urged listen /read after seeing the film - if you liked the film - you will LOVE the book. It fill in all the gaps...gives you all the history... names more monsters, tells U many things about the world you didn't know, really develops a whole new tragic and heroic world. I REALLY REALLY REALLY wish it was the first book in a trilogy!