Review of Pearl Harbor (2001) by Marcus G — 03 Nov 2012

In 2001, I went to the cinema with high hopes for what looked like an epic recreation of the attack on Pearl Harbour, but arrived home bitterly disappointed. Watching again on DVD later that year did the film some favours, but Tora! Tora! Tora!, this isn't.

I find the pyrotechnical approach to the battles to be more reminiscent the A-Team rather than the modern brand of war film, and the acting to be little better. But on the plus points, the 40's style postcard look of the film is done to an art and the sound design in first rate. Let alone the visually stunning action sequences.

Overall the movie is very good popcorn fodder, and looks and sounds great. It is also enjoyable while at the same time being laughable.

This is a project though, riddled with misjudgements, namely the casting of itsâ(TM) three leads, the ridiculous love triangle that they inhabit and having Michael Bay direct such an important subject.

Now I love Michael Bay, and yes I know full well the dangers of saying that out loud but I think that he has a talent for popcorn, but should America's bloody entry into World War II be a popcorn subject? I think not...