Pearl Harbor

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Ralph R Pearl Harbor is one of those movies that gets a lot of hate, but honestly, I don’t think it deserves all of it. People go in expecting a war film and get a romance drama instead, which seems to be where most of the criticism comes from. The plot focuses more on a love triangle than the historical attack itself, and while that might not be what everyone wanted, it was clearly the film’s intention. If you can accept that it's a romantic drama set against a war backdrop, rather than a war film with romance sprinkled in, then you might appreciate it for what it is. Michael Bay’s direction is exactly what you’d expect—big, explosive, and visually intense. The action sequences, especially the Pearl Harbor attack, are filmed in his signature style, and they still hold up today. The cinematography is clean, with dramatic wide shots of aerial combat, fiery destruction, and emotional close-ups. Where the film struggles is its pacing. It stretches certain sequences for too long, making it feel uneven at times. The final act, while exciting, feels a bit disconnected from the rest of the movie, almost like it belongs to a different story. Acting-wise, Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsale do a decent job, but the material they’re working with doesn’t always help them. Their performances are solid but not standout, with some emotional scenes feeling a little forced. The supporting cast, including Cuba Gooding Jr. and Alec Baldwin, adds weight to the film, but the character development is mostly surface-level. The script has its moments but leans into melodrama too often, making some scenes feel more exaggerated than they need to be. That said, Pearl Harbor delivers where it counts in terms of visuals and sound. The action sequences are stunning, with incredible aerial shots, intense battle choreography, and a level of destruction that still holds up today. The sound design adds a layer of realism, making the chaos of war feel immersive. And then there’s Hans Zimmer’s score, which is hands down one of the best aspects of the film. His music elevates the emotions, making the highs more exhilarating and the lows more heartbreaking. If you watch Pearl Harbor for its spectacle, its music, and its grand-scale drama, there’s a lot to enjoy. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/18/25 Full Review Audience Member This is for the R-rated Director's Cut. There is a good chunk of this film that let's us get to know our immediate team of characters. The highlight of the film is the attack of Pearl Harbor. The Director's Cut is a mass improvement over the Theatrical Cut. The Director's Cut adds CG gore with some practical gore for close-ups during the attack sequence and during the hospital scenes. The Director's Cut gives a more emotional impact than the Theatrical Cut for this reason. The only thing that drags this movie down is the love-triangle subplot. Otherwise, a really good Director's Cut. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/25 Full Review mido k It's a great movie, with its brilliant OST. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/25 Full Review Adam Q Pearl Harbor is an enjoyable watch, but it does feel overly American in its tone. It’s like a mix of The Notebook and a war movie, which makes some parts feel unrealistic. While it’s entertaining, it doesn’t fully capture the horror of the events, and the romance subplot can feel a bit overdone. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/10/25 Full Review Edward F From people around my orbit, this movie gets a bad rap. I, personally, think it's one of the best war movies ever. Definitely top 15-20. Also, almost anything Jerry Bruckheimer touches is awesome. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/24/24 Full Review Troy Minh C This film can definitely drag from its boring three-way romance, but the history and action scenes are fantastic. This film would definitely be a five star classic without the meaningless romantic characters and extra hour of film time it didn’t need. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/14/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Pearl Harbor

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