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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
A great read for any fan of the film. Even though I knew the plot from the film, the book gave enough extra information and backstory to keep me interested and keep it feeling fresh. Even knowing the outcome and the ending, I still found the story to be an exciting read.
A novelization of a movie finds itself in a tough place: how to stay true to the movie while still giving the reader something worth reading? A novelization of a satisfying movie has an even tougher job: if the movie was satisfying on its own terms, what can a book add? This novelization struggles to find places to add meaningful content, but doesn't succeed terribly well, having characters reiterate in their thoughts things that were already exquisitely clear from the movie's visuals. Worst of all is getting the chance to peek into the main character's thoughts, only to find that he's...kind of a jerk, according to the book. Drat.
As far as novelizations go, this one was pretty mediocre. I never quite got any real unexplored depths to the characters that I didn't already figure out myself from the film, and the writing was rather basic.
The book certainly did yield some interesting factoids (like how the Kaidonovskys's fierce dedication to their music, Mako's swordsmithing heritage, and the fact that Hermann is actually married!), but I was looking for motivations, thoughts, maybe even memories the novel could dwell on that a fast-paced action flick couldn't have time for. This was the story's chance to breathe and flesh out its decisions and characters. Backstory and facts were solid, but I wanted to feel what the characters were feeling. Also, major points lost for an ending where Mako and Raleigh kiss.
Alex Irvine may have dropped the awesome ball on this one.
The book certainly did yield some interesting factoids (like how the Kaidonovskys's fierce dedication to their music, Mako's swordsmithing heritage, and the fact that Hermann is actually married!), but I was looking for motivations, thoughts, maybe even memories the novel could dwell on that a fast-paced action flick couldn't have time for. This was the story's chance to breathe and flesh out its decisions and characters. Backstory and facts were solid, but I wanted to feel what the characters were feeling. Also, major points lost for an ending where Mako and Raleigh kiss.
Alex Irvine may have dropped the awesome ball on this one.
UPDATE 3/23/15: An updated version of this review can be found on my blog
I enjoyed everything about this book except for the ending.
Having read the book before seeing the movie in theaters, I was pleased with the details included in the novelization. This book offers a clear view of the world in Pacific Rim and the characters that live therein. While it doesn't deviate from the main script of the movie, this book does give you a little bit of the history and a look into each character's minds.
Now, sadly, for what I didn't like about this novel...
The story told in Pacific Rim does not need to use a romantic relationship as a crutch, a theme which is so often found in movies these days. Pacific Rim is SO much more than romance, you have characters who are dealing with a world that no longer supports them and their endeavors to protect it; characters who are fighting to protect the family they created; and characters who don't know anything but a world ruled by the fear of a Kaiju attack.
I enjoyed everything about this book except for the ending.
Having read the book before seeing the movie in theaters, I was pleased with the details included in the novelization. This book offers a clear view of the world in Pacific Rim and the characters that live therein. While it doesn't deviate from the main script of the movie, this book does give you a little bit of the history and a look into each character's minds.
Now, sadly, for what I didn't like about this novel...
Spoiler
While the movie's ending was, in my opinion, perfect, the book ends with Raleigh and Mako kissing.The story told in Pacific Rim does not need to use a romantic relationship as a crutch, a theme which is so often found in movies these days. Pacific Rim is SO much more than romance, you have characters who are dealing with a world that no longer supports them and their endeavors to protect it; characters who are fighting to protect the family they created; and characters who don't know anything but a world ruled by the fear of a Kaiju attack.
I would like to continue reading this book another time, but I just don't think I'm going to get around to it any time soon. ( I made it to page 124, though.) So I'm making it as DNF for now.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not accurate to the movie at all but adds some interesting lore about Drift mechanics
I'm kind of disappointed, because I don't feel like Irvine's prose matches del Toro's capabilities, but I'm gonna go ahead and give it a 4 star anyway because it's still the best movie ever made
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Follows the plot of the movie pretty fluidly, and I loved all the additions like the dossiers!
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What a disappointment this was. I had seen the movie Pacific Rim for the very first time at the beginning of April and enjoyed it SO MUCH that when I saw there was a book (even if it was a tie-in version) I bought it. But the thing that I think is the most prominent thought in my brain about this book is: I could watch and enjoy the movie without this book but I absolutely could not have read this book and enjoyed it without watching the movie. The book relies so heavily on its reader having watched the movie when it comes to both the action and the world building that it does itself a disservice. I never wanted to pick it up and would constantly have to talk myself into it. (Which is why it took me almost a week to read a 350 page novel.) The characters themselves felt pretty much like they did in the movie. We even got a little more backstory for a couple of them which I liked. But the magic that comes off the screen when watching the opening to the movie just never came across in the book.
Overall, I just don't think this one was worth the time or the effort. Really, the only thing that kept this from being a lower rating for me was the love I have for the movie.