Giant robots battle sea monsters in Pacific Rim 5-D motion-simulator attraction

A new motion-simulator attraction based on the “Pacific Rim” science fiction monster movie by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro will bring the war between gigantic robots and monstrous sea creatures to a Northern California amusement park.

Pacific Rim 5-D combines a 3-D film with motion-based seats and water effects inside a long-dormant theater at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo.

Billed as the world’s first “Pacific Rim” motion-based attraction, the new 5-D movie begins sneak previews today at Discovery Kingdom in advance of an official debut in the coming weeks.

The original film follows a near-future battle on Earth pitting 250-foot-tall robot fighting machines against an invading force of colossal sea monsters that threatens to wipe out mankind.

Pacific Rim 5-D takes over the SimEx-Iwerks Turbo Theater, which has sat unused at Discovery Kingdom since 2008.

The new 5-D film is the latest release from Santa Clarita-based SimEx-Iwerks, which has adapted “Rio,” “Ice Age” and “Angry Birds” for motion-simulator theaters.

The theatrical release of “Pacific Rim” was distributed by Warner Bros., which licenses the DC Comics superheroes and Looney Tunes cartoon characters to Six Flags parks.

During the off-season, Discovery Kingdom is open on weekends and select dates before the summer season begins on May 27.

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