Chapter 234: Team Battle

The plot of Pacific Rim 2 is relatively simple, the action scenes are quite outstanding, especially the debut appearance of 'Storm Crimson Red', which instantly killed a 'mage-type' monster with one blow, making the whole audience's blood boil, after all, this thing easily took down the 'Atlantis'.

Of course, the success of 'Storm Crimson Red' had an element of sneak attack.

The problem is that the two monsters also had sneak attacks and coordination, needless to say who lacks martial virtue.

Afterward, the plot consisted of meetings, large-scale monitoring, and finally locating the new 'rift' position, where the generals and science advisors of the PPDC Pacific Rim Defense Corps discussed what method to use to resolve it.

Someone suggested, as before, sending a mecha through the 'rift' to the monsters' home planet to blow up the rift there.

The biggest problem is, who will pilot the mecha over.

Then, the female lead played by Gao Yuanyuan in the first film appeared, she piloted a mecha into the rift together with another middle-aged mecha pilot from the film, but ultimately it still failed.

At this point, humanity only has four mechs left, yet five monsters have appeared off the coast of Tokyo Bay.

Four versus five, the advantage lies with the monsters.

But humanity has no choice; using nuclear weapons could annihilate the monsters, but it would trigger a massive release of toxins from their bodies.

These toxins would alter Earth's atmosphere, soil, and water environment, causing the extinction of Earth's life.

Aside from launching a team battle, there is no other way.

Thus, at the film's end, there is a splendid mecha versus monster team battle that unfolds on a rainy night of lightning and thunder.

Jiang Heng incorporated the mindset of later-generation battle games into this.

Like the 'Storm Crimson Red' in the film, it is a solid 'tank'-type mecha, its biggest trait being 'thick health', meaning super damage resistance, punch to the flesh.

Charging to the front, it pummels the monster with the weakest armor, then unleashes its ultimate move to instantly kill it.

Afterward, in the 'four versus four' team battle, 'Storm Crimson Red' took the most damage, yet also excelled at finishing off low-health foes, ending with three 'monster heads' taken.

The American 'Explorer' took one, and the Russian mech took one.

The film's final shot is inside the monsters' lair, in a dim environment, a pair of demon king-like eyes suddenly open, sending chills down one's spine, after which the film ends.

The audience in the venue were all 'hard-controlled' for a second or two, many couldn't help thinking: 'Looks like the next installment will have an ultimate boss!'

Since there was no post-credits scene, the lights came up quickly, and the guests, reporters, and audience in the venue all burst into applause.

Host Tu Jingwei walked onto the stage, still feeling uneasy, and said: 'To be honest, Director Jiang, I was really frightened by the demon king's gaze in the monsters' lair at the end; I want to ask, in the third installment, will Earth enter the apocalypse?'

Jiang Heng had already stood up, microphone in hand, laughing as he said: 'To be honest, the plot for the third film is still being thought up; the story will definitely continue to escalate. Like in the first film, it was basically one-on-one. By the second film, there were already several mechs and monsters fighting together in a team battle.'

Whether the third film will feature a monster army clashing with a mecha legion depends on this film's box office performance, after all, we need the film to make money before we dare invest heavily in a sequel.

While speaking, Jiang Heng had already walked onto the stage.

Tu Jingwei laughed and said: 'Understood, everyone who wants to see the third film should support this movie even more! Here I want to comment: the 'Storm Crimson Red' in the film is really too handsome; the moment it appears, it's like a deity descending, and with one strike it slays that monster—truly, when I watched it, I felt my body tremble involuntarily.'

When they fought together later, it was even more spectacular, with so many tactics and coordination; how did you come up with these, were they influenced by any game?

Jiang Heng laughed and shook his head: 'I don't usually play games; while filming, I just kept thinking, I must make sure the audience can see this part clearly, at least let them tell who is fighting whom.'

Otherwise, if they zone out for a moment, they wouldn't be able to tell who is who!

So when designing these mechs and monsters, we focused on strengthening their own styles.

Our 'Storm Crimson Red' has the traits of huge size, sturdiness, thick health, and damage resistance; although its movement is relatively slow, within the range of its glaive, it is also an extremely invincible presence.

Japan's mecha Tango Wolf II looks formidable as well, but its weight is too light, its armor insufficient, and a single swipe from a monster flattens it.

As for the American Explorer, it is fast, has strong defense, and its long-range attack is number one in the world; however, compared to Storm Crimson Red, its close combat is slightly lacking!

Jiang Heng commented one by one on the mechs and monsters appearing in the film; the audience listened to his exposition, recalled the grand battle they had just watched, and found it quite interesting as well.

Afterward, the main creators went on stage for a Q&A session with media reporters and the audience.

Among the reporters, Guo Fan was extremely excited, his hand raised high, and he was actually called upon; when he took the microphone, he could hardly believe it.

He then asked: 'Hello, Director Jiang, I am Guo Fan, a reporter from China Travel TV. I really like your films, and I am also a sci-fi fan, very fond of your Matrix series. However, I feel that this film's overall style still leans somewhat Western. Will you someday make a very Chinese sci-fi film?'

Jiang Heng carefully examined the young man before him, smiling and said: 'Your name is Guo Fan?'

Yes!

You really like sci-fi?

'Hmm!' Guo Fan, a bit puzzled, still answered.

Jiang Heng said: 'I have considered making a sci-fi film with more Chinese elements; you like sci-fi so much, are you interested in studying under me?'

Upon hearing this, Guo Fan was completely dumbfounded!

The remaining guests, reporters, and even the audience on site were also dumbfounded.

Who would have thought that coming out for an interview could still encounter such a good thing?

'Director Jiang, what you said, is it really true?'

Guo Fan wished he could answer immediately, but the matter seemed a bit outrageous, so he needed to clarify a few things.

Jiang Heng laughed and said: 'Feeling that there are not many directors in China who like to make and are capable of making big special-effects films, Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company is preparing to set up a director training program; after completing the training with passing grades, one can first work as an assistant director with the crew, and within one to three years have a chance to become a director.'

Guo Fan immediately took off his press badge, held it up, and shouted loudly: 'Director Jiang, I'm signing up, I'm signing up, I'm willing to study under you!'

Seeing this, the people in the venue didn't know how many felt envious; on the spot, several dozen shouted that they wanted to sign up.

Many more still considered their own talent, preferences, and current job situation, and dared not jump on this opportunity.

The other directors present all exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts.

Zhang Yimou thought: 'Is this about founding a school and becoming a master?'

Feng Xiaogang pondered: 'Does Director Jiang think making money alone is too slow, so he wants to take on more disciples to dominate the market?'

Jiang Wen only felt that Jiang Heng now exudes a domineering aura, very suitable as the male lead for his upcoming film he's preparing, only unfortunately he's too young; otherwise he could truly play a rival role.

Jia Zhangke wondered: 'What made him have this idea? Is he trying to replicate the 'TVB Artist Training Class' to build his own film kingdom?'

(End of chapter)