A film review by Rachael Vice Copyright © 2001 Movie-Page

When reading or hearing something mentioning Pearl Harbor, it's rare to not find the mention of December 7, 1941. The Japanese made a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that resulted in many fatalities and the loss of millions of dollars. Several documentaries have been made, but to make an actual movie of the events would seem near impossible. Yet, once again, Hollywood has achieved the impossible.

One thing I've been hearing from everyone's mouths is how much they hated the story about the love triangle in this movie, which is a pretty stupid thing to say. Unless SOME sort of extra story which focused on specific characters wasn't thrown into PEARL HARBOR, this would not be a major motion picture. It would be another documentary on the History Channel or Discovery.

For those that only saw those misleading previews, yes, this is also a love story. First, I just want to say something about those previews. I saw several different ones at theatres and on television, and they all showed the Japanese planes flying to Pearl Harbor and bombing it. I sat down to watch the movie with a very negative attitude to what I was about to see, because I thought it was only what the previews showed - guns firing and boats sinking.

Half of this movie is, however, a story focusing on 3 particular characters' lives before, during, and after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Best friends as kids, Rafe (Ben Affleck) and Danny (Josh Hartnett) eventually fall in love with the same woman, Evelyn (Kate Beckinsale). Throughout the film, both Danny and Rafe repeatedly switch places with who is Evelyn's love.
Obviously, the tribulations of Japan's attack constantly make them change feelings about each other.

The attack, itself, is done wonderfully. Unlike what previous movies have done when making a big moment in history to be a 95% love story, the big climax of PEARL HARBOR has no extra strings. A good 30-45 minutes of the movie is just the attack on Pearl Harbor with wonderful special effects and acting.

After the attack is made on Pearl Harbor, the Americans decide to strike the Japanese, which is where the movie loses its touch. Before Pearl Harbor was attacked, we do see a heart wrenching love tale, but what we really are waiting for is when Japan drops that first torpedo into the water that began massive destruction. When Danny and Rafe leave Pearl Harbor, the audience doesn't really care about the historical part of the movie anymore.

I feel so sorry for the Japanese in this movie. Yes, yes, I know they bombed OUR Pearl Harbor, but they're basically shown as tyrannical, plotting, kick-em-when-they're-down monsters. The Japanese get to see how the Americans have a heart by adding in the love story, but we're left to have nightmares about the Japanese when all we saw of them was making orders or carrying out the orders to destroy the Americans.

The big winner in all of this was director, Michael Bay. I honestly don't think I have ever seen a movie with better direction. On top of that, the movie is PEARL HARBOR, a movie that you, would think, could do little with but blow stuff up. In my opinion, Bay should win Best Director at the next Academy Award's, but let's just hope he's nominated.

Final Rating:  * * *  of  * * * *

	Running Time: 183 Min | Rated: PG-13 | US Release: May 25th | More >>

Related Links:

• Official Site
• www.pearlharborfilm.com
• Cinemenium.com: Pearl Harbor