Toon Talk
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(c) Touchstone Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer
As brought to the screen by uber-producer
Jerry Bruckheimer, he-man director Michael Bay (who previously collaborated on such
testosterone-fests as The Rock and Armageddon) and Braveheart scribe
Randall Wallace, Pearl Harbor hopes to follow in the box office footsteps of a
certain other fictionalized-romance-set-against-the-backdrop-of-a-
cataclysmic-history-altering-event-epic-motion-picture-event. (You know what I'm talking
about; I'll resist jumping on the bandwagon of so many who are quick to pontificate on the
many similarities between the two films. I won't even invoke the "T" word
here.)
Director Bay is not known for his handling of actors; he is much more at home blowing stuff up. (This film is his attempt at breaking out of the 'glorified B-movie' ghetto he has created for himself.) But while he is pre-occupied with endless low-angle shots of our heroes in slow motion and embarrassing attempts at symbolism (let's just say that he could be arrested for desecrating a lot of flags in this movie), some fine performances do emerge.
In previous films such as Good Will Hunting and Bay's Armageddon, Ben Affleck has perfected his 'guy's guy' persona, while still maintaining enough goofy sensitivity to add to his appeal to women. As Rafe McCawley , he taps further into that 'feminine side,' fleshing out his character into a truly romanticized war hero, one you could truly "keep the home fires burning" for. And, even with having to bark such lines as "just get me in a plane!", this is his best performance to date.
Kate Beckinsale and Ben Affleck
(c) Touchstone Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer
Kate Beckinsale, icy before in her work in such films as The Last Days of Disco and Cold Comfort Farm, blossoms into a screen siren in here pivotal role as Evelyn Johnson. With period hair and make-up that would give Ava Gardner a run for her money, and a flawless American accent, I didn't even recognize this British actress who's most famous role to date was Jane Austin's Emma on A&E. Her role as a nurse also makes it possible to show the women behind the men in this 'man's war' ... Rosie the Riveter would be so proud.
Josh Hartnett plays the final point in this lover's triangle, Danny Walker. While his boyish good looks and constantly wounded demeanor make him the likely heir to the throne of Leo in the hearts and fan mags of teenage girls everywhere, he has the acting chops to be the one to watch for in the future.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
(c) Touchstone Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer
The roles played by the above three actors are fictitious, but there are historical figures represented in Pearl Harbor as well. Alec Baldwin, former leading man who has now graciously moved on to such character roles, plays Colonel James H. Doolittle, the career army man behind the retaliation strike against Japan. Cuba Gooding Jr. portrays real life hero Dorie Miller, an Army cook who took to the guns to down several enemy aircraft during the raid. Japanese acting legend Mako adds quiet dignity to role of Admiral Yamamoto. And yes, underneath the rubber face, that is Jon Voight as President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
While at times rousing and jaw-dropping in it's spectacle, Pearl Harbor indulges to much in it's own self-appointed fervor. Some economy should have been applied to the storytelling, as the human aspects amount to little more then filler as we watch the clock tick down to 7:55 A.M., December 7, 1941.
Toon Talk Rating: C+
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 183 minutes
In theaters now nationwide. Click
for showtimes from IMDB.
Toon Talk Trivia:
A fighter pilot is seen painting a familiar looking duck on the side of his plane.
Cuba Gooding Jr. will lend his vocal talents to the upcoming Disney animated film Sweating Bullets.
F.D.R. has made other appearances in Disney productions, including The Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom, The American Adventure at Epcot and in The Wonderful World of Disney television version of the Broadway musical Annie.
Discuss It
Related Links
- Official Pearl Harbor site
- Pearl
Harbor on IMDB
Includes full cast and other film details
-- Kirby C. Holt
Kirby is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. A frequent contributer to the LaughingPlace.com Discussion Boards, he currently resides near one of the Happiest Places on Earth: Orlando, Florida.
Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.
The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted May 28, 2001