Welcome back to Go/No-Go, Tosche Station’s regular feature where we offer our spoiler-free opinion as to whether or not you should spend your hard-earned money on a book, film, or other entertainment. Today on the launch pad: Pacific Rim. A film that features giant monsters and giant robots. Will this be a surprise hit with the staff, or is it just another all-flash, no-substance shallow popcorn flick? To mission control for the ruling!

GUIDO Brian’s thoughts: Pacific Rim is the best film I’ve seen this year and was precisely the kind of movie I needed. I’m not even sure where to start gushing. Maybe it’s the best written, executed, and utilized female character I’ve seen this year. Maybe it’s the thrilling, well-shot, and well-choreographed action sequences. Maybe it’s the fun and enjoyable cast (Burn Gorman!). Maybe it’s Idris Elba being Idris Elba (read: supremely wonderful). This is a film that appealed to just about every iteration of me. The fourteen-year-old that still exists in my soul was delighted that I was watching a mecha anime come to life complete with over-the-top action and occasionally self-aware cheesy lines. The grown-up me adores that it willingly chose to not be grimdark and cynical. In the current film landscape, a movie that’s so hopeful was so refreshing. What I’m trying to say is Pacific Rim is a definite GO.

SURGEON Bria’s thoughts: Pacific Rim is the best film of the summer.  It features fantastically done mecha vs sea monster battles without sacrificing anything in terms of character development and story.  With a diverse set of lead actors and an excellently cast group of main characters, audiences are sure to connect with these characters and cheer for them on a personal level as the Jaeger pilots take on the Kaiju aliens.  It’s a wonderfully fun film and Guillermo Del Toro absolutely delivers on the promise from the trailers.  Pacific Rim gets a loud and resounding GO! from me.

Flight Director’s verdict: Pacific Rim is GO for launch and you should go see it this weekend.