Review of Armageddon (1996) by Jonathan B — 14 Jan 2013

Right first off, it's not going to challenge you mentally and yes, I know that Deep Impact, released the same year, is more scientifically accurate but if there's a huge comet heading to destroy the world, it's Bruce Willis I'd be on the phone to.

This is a staggeringly good popcorn movie that even manages to make Ben Affleck acceptable which is no mean feat. This perfect Hollywood blockbuster throws everything at the screen and puts Brucie and his gang of subhuman, all American heroes slap bang in the heart of the danger.

There does come a point, about 40 minutes from the end when you just can't imagine anything else could possibly go wrong on the mission to blow up the planet killing lump of ice when the bastards in the US army try to pull a fast one and explode the nuclear bomb by remote control.

Rest assured that Billy Bob Thornton just won't let them get away with it and so manages to ramp up the comic book tension a few more notches. Liv Tyler spends much of her time in tears of joy and horror and there's a genuine "I love you too daddy moment" as Bruce takes a hit for humanity.

This is a gloriously over the top movie and Michael Bay directs it like the kid who got all the coolest toys to play with. I love this movie and have watched it over and over, every time hating myself and loving every moment.

Yeah, I know I could be doing something better, I know it's not Ibsen but when Steve Tyler starts screeching over the closing credits, I could just about punch the air.