Rating: 
Summary: Pearl Harbor: Unrealized Potential
Review: The new Pearl Harbor could have been an epic. Unfortunately, it'll wind up as just another of Jerry Bruckheimer's formulaic action movies, akin to Con-Air and Armageddon. Despite the often jaw dropping special effects, Pearl fails to convey the take-you-there realism and gritty humanity of true war classics like Saving Private Ryan. Each time the movie begins to approach this height, something's either said or done that reminds you that this is little more than a garden-variety action movie attempting to capitalize on the patriotic zeal of it's viewers. Contributing to this feeling are instances of ill-timed humor, lines and cliché's that smack of typical action movie bravado, and more than a few obviously contrived action scenes (like a shot of five or six planes with guns blazing chasing down one car occupied by the movies heroes). The movies' initially engaging love story later becomes irksome. All the mid-drifts, tender moments, and whiny violin music can't save the storyline from inducing feelings more akin to watching a Jerry Springer show than a 1941 war epic. Unlike Titanic, Pearl's messy romance is not intricately woven with the action but stands aloof, giving the film a disjointed feel. In fact, so much attention is paid to these amorous interests that the film is actually weighed down by them, making the great battle scenes seem more like obligatory interludes. If you "go see movies for the special effects", then by all means plop your seven bucks down and give Pearl Harbor a try. But the more discerning moviegoer, who asks for more than a few ooh's and aah's, will find this picture only another summer film thin on substance but heavy on fluff. Jeter (jeter@insight.rr.com)
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good movie
Review: I didn't look at my watch for the whole 3 hours. Yes, historically it may not be totally accurate, I can watch the history channel if I want accurate. I enjoyed the stories of all the characters and the humor in the beginning was great. The bombing sequences were awesome, very loud, but awesome. All in all, a very good film.
Rating:
Summary: an OK movie
Review: This movie was just an average love movie similar to Titanic but worse. You just don't feel emotion in this movie. "I love you, you are the love of my life..." who cares? The only thing that kept this movie alive were the amazing action scenes. Wasn't a good movie but wasn't the worst.
Rating: 
Summary: Good in love and war
Review: Walking into the theatre there was an assortment of people waiting in line to see this movie. Young and old, family and friends. One could tell that some were veterans. Although some may be disappointed in the historical accuracy of the movie, I for one thought that it was better than Hollywood's other historical movies. At the beginning I thought that I had accidently gone to a romantic-comedy, but after awhile came the war scenes. They looked to be extremely well done. I am not one for love stories, but I thought that this part of the movie was also done well. I would have to say that this movie is a great deal better than Titanic. After the lights came on, I looked around the sold-out theatre and saw a lot of the audience still showing signs of tears. I would say that this is a good omen for the movie; it gets the audience involved in the story. The fictional love story, but especially the historic event.
Rating: 
Summary: WARNING: Pearl Harbor is playing at a theater near you!
Review: Yet another three-hour-long waste of film from the Michael Bay/Jerry Bruckheimer mill, where the motto is, "Make every shot look like a bad car commercial." The first *hour* is devoted to Ben Affleck failing to convince us that he's in love with Kate Beckinsale (really, it's Bay's fault.) Then Josh Hartnett falls for Kate after Ben is shot down and presumed dead. Josh knocks up Kate and Ben shows up alive, all just in time for the big attack. Yes, after an hour or so, the Japanese finally show up and start bombing, torpedoing, strafing... lots of explosions. But it's edited so fast that you can't tell what's going on. The one real "money" shot is the Arizona being blown literally out of the water. But that's not worth $9 and three hours of your life. Ben and Josh are the only Americans to get into the air, and they shoot down around 10 battle-hardened Japanese pilots, because, after all, they ARE American farm boys, the world's most deadly weapon. After the attack, the movie goes on for ANOTHER hour or so. I guess Bruckheimer thought ending the movie with America on the ropes wouldn't sell, so we get to see Doolittle's raid on Tokyo, or the Cliff Notes version of it. Then Ben and Josh crash, Josh gets killed, and Ben and Kate raise Josh's son. Ben Affleck is capable of good work, but I guess he needs a good director. Here, he just walks around with his jaw jutting forward. Kate Beckinsale plays the typical Bay/Bruckheimer female, one dimensional, doing nothing but pining for her guy(s). Oh, and in terms of historical accuracy, you're better off renting "Tora Tora Tora."
Rating:
Summary: The 'OREO' of blockbusters. See it for the creamy filling.
Review: A budget-buster worthy of a gander. Taking a page from the romance-driven epic 'Titanic,' this film is heavy on the lovey-dovey kitsch early on. Ben Affleck is his usual charming self as a hot-shot pilot and Kate Beckinsale sparkles as a Navy nurse. But the good stuff doesn't start until the middle of the movie, when hundreds of Japanese 'zero' planes descend upon Pearl Harbor like a pack of ravenous mosquitos. The buildup to the fateful 'Day of Infamy' is intense, and the destruction of America's Pacific Fleet is both stunning and catastrophic - a milestone in moviemaking that is not to be missed. But while it is clear that Director Michael Bay (Armageddon) knows how to charm and thrill an audience, he fails to captivate the imagination. The movie concludes with the riveting 'Doolittle raid' of Tokyo. Yet instead of contemplating the tragedy that was Pearl Harbor, the viewer is left with a vacant feeling in the gut and, more importantly, the heart. Sure, we get bucket-loads of 'How it looked.' But this movie is soft in what could have been it's most important attribute: 'Why was it important?'
Rating:
Summary: Worth Your Time
Review: Pearl Harbor is enjoyable, entertaining, and overall very well done. Among the notable performances was that of the actor who portrayed President Rosevelt-marvelous job! The scenes of the actual attack are powerful and realistic. Few historical inaccuracies do not take away from the impact of the movie-it is a deep emotional reminder of the devastation, death and destruction that took place in Pearl Harbor. Thankfully, the viewer is spared the graphic and morbid scenes found in Saving Private Ryan which left nothing to the imagination. The movie includes an obligatory love story which is very trite and predictable, however the relationship between Ben Affleck and other leading characters provides diversion in the way of romance and humor. Cuba Gooding Jr. was a bit of a disappointment-no fault of his own, just poorly cast for a very minor supporting role. Difficult to understand why he was wandering the depths and bowels of the USS Arizona still carrying a silver tea platter and cups while planes were obviously bombing in very close proximity. Additionally hard to believe was the fact that although Honolulu was to suffer a "surprise" attack while the island was "sleeping", the entire naval fleet were still in their bunks in the wee hours of the morn yet young boys were enjoying a baseball game and mothers were accompanying their children to church. Just didn't fit.... Ben Affleck and his leading lady were believable even if corny. There was just enough chemistry to make hearts go pitter patter! The movie is definitely worth $7.50 and could even be nominated for some academy awards!
Rating:
Summary: Pearl Harbor, one of the best war movies of all time!
Review: WOW! This movie was incredible! It had great special effects, and a great point of the Japenese before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The TOP SECRET mission was really sweet! When they crashed and.....OOPS! I can't tell you too much or else it will give the story away. It is really cool though when you the Ben Affleck is dead but then he comes back! A couple of the romance seens could have been cut out, but it was fine. Ok! Ok! I just had to tell you that much. Well this movie is totally worth seeing. If you are a war movie fan, this is the top attraction for you!
Rating:
Summary: outstanding film
Review: I saw "Pearl Harbor" yesterday and I was blown away by it. It was such a well made film and was so enjoyable. Before I saw the film, I read some reviews of the film that were not very good, and at first I was a little worried about whether or not the film would be any good. I saw it anyway and I loved it. So if any of the people who are reading this are listening to all the bad reviews of this film, don't, you should still go anyway to see for yourself. Anyway, even though the film may not be historically accurate at some parts, who gives a [rip]. If the filmmakers wanted to make a totally historically accurate film they would have made a documentary instead of the film that was made. A lot of people have said that the love story is so stupid and corny, but I disagree. The love story sets up the basis for the connection between the three main characters. So in a way it is important to the story. Now on to the discussion of the special effects, acting, directing etc. First, the special effects are some of the best I have ever seen. I was completely blown away by how real it looked. Also, the acting was good by the cast. But the best performances, in my opinion, were those of the supporting cast. Jon Voight does an excellenturn as the president of the united states. Even Alec Baldwin is fairly good as Doolittle, as well as Cuba Gooding Jr. ,who is always fantastic, once again turns in a great performance in the rather small but important part that he has . The three main actors(Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale) all turn in good performances, especially Josh Hartnett. Finally, director Michael bay and his crew of talented filmmakers have made one of the best war films I have ever seen. All the detail and time that was spent to make this film look as great as it is really paid off. They really did a remarkable job. In conclusion, anyone who has the least bit of interest in good filmmaking and a good old fashioned story should absolutely go and see this film. See it just for the battle scenes if that will get you to go because it really is worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: EMPTY-HEADED BUT ENGROSSING
Review: Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer hit you over the head with their films, and this movie is no exception. However, do not believe all of the hateful reviews you may have read in the [news]papers -- this movie definitely holds your attention, even though it is a glossy Hollywood piece of fantasy. Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsdale hold their own as glossy movie stars, while Ben Allfeck once again delivers a wooden, paper-thin performance with no heart. The love story, set up like a carbon copy of Titanic, does not pull you in with the same emotion as that similar fictional story set against a true historical event -- but the battle scenes, which roar on for nearly 40 minutes, are exciting and well-shot. Without the emotional lift, sadly, the tragedy of Pearl Harbor does not resonate with the kind of power it might have in other hands.
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