No Two Robot films are alike

No Two Robot films are alike

Next week proves to be a major turning point for cinema. On July 12th, Guillermo Del Toro's "Pacific Rim" will be unleashed and hope to revive the giant monster formula and hopefully reboot "Godzilla" without Roland Emmerich's name on it. But, according to tracking numbers, it seems to be a flop. Not critically, mind you, we are talking about Guillermo Del Toro here, so even if by some random turn of events the story is not as satisfying, it still will be a visual treat. No, people are estimating that the original idea in years will be beaten… by Grown Ups 2.

I'm not sure what's sadder: the fact people are thinking the giant robot film will flop or the fact they believe the giant robot film will lose to a bloody Adam Sandler film.

Let me be clear: I want Pacific Rim to do well. I want it to come into next week's box office, take top place and make a change for giant robot films everywhere, especially Michael Bay's Transformers. Yes, that's coming from me, the guy who paid, watched and enjoyed all three of Michael Bay's Transformers. You're probably curious of why I, a defender of Bay's bombastic blow 'em ups, want Pacific Rim to do well. It's because Pacific Rim will open the doorway and allow for more of these films to be made. Transformers does not own a monopoly on giant mech films nor should it. And I want more films like this to show critics that there is room for substance while giant robots are beating the snot out of monsters.

And who's to say I have to like one thing and dislike the other? Taste isn't exclusive; there's no rule saying I have to like this better than another. There's room in my heart for two types of giant robot movies: one supports chaos and whole destruction while the other focuses on panning shots, better shot composition and scale.

I'm also a firm believer of capitalism and that competition is healthy. Many films nowadays are too scared to compete with one another that it's good we get to see head-to-head which film will do better. Who knows? Money is power and if Pacific Rim makes enough, maybe Michael Bay will get the message and hold the camera still for five minutes.

And while Michael Bay did not invent the giant robot genre, it may be possible, sad to say, that his influence is what got Pacific Rim green-lit in the first place.

Before, I go, I do believe I have to say this, if only my scant, little influence can change one person's mind.

Go see "Pacific Rim". Do not pirate it. Do not wait for it on DVD or Instant video. Do not go on Youtube and download camera version of it. Believe it or not, box office numbers matter. If Pacific Rim, doesn't do well in the box office, you can and will get more Transformers type movies. And assuming you hate the Transformers franchise, now is your chance to do something about it. If you want better, if you desire to get a higher class of robot film into the mainstream, you owe it to yourself, your community and movie-goers everywhere to make sure Pacific Rim is a hit. Guillermo Del Toro did his job and directed a great film; now it's up to us to make sure that film is seen.

Because the last thing I want is for a giant robot movie to lose against Adam Sandler taking a vacation while bringing his friends and a camera crew along.