Gigantic entertainment that left the more "cerebral" DEEP IMPACT for dead!

Rating: Null/10 (30 March 2002)

Michael Carruthers opening review here is spot on and I agree with his every sentiment. The main criticism worldwide (outside of the US at least) was that it is was too pro-American....too flag-waving! Excuse me? why SHOULDN'T IT BE? If such an eventuality came our way, who would the rest of the world be looking to to save us? Scotland? Australia? Pakistan? I don't think so! Besides, who's $150 million plus financed the flick? That's right, the US! They can film what they like any which way they like, as far as I can see is reasonable! If other countries object to the blatant patriotism let them go film their own version!
All ARMAGEDDON ever wanted to do was to 'entertain' and is anyone dumb enough to suggest it failed in that expectation? OK so neither this or DEEP IMPACT were original ideas, both basically rip-offs of the wonderful George Pal outing WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE. I don't even agree that Bruce Willis' character, Oilman Harry Stamper was "dislikable" as many have observed. He was the boss who simply gets the job done and does he do this here? You bet your sweet drill-bit he does!
Terrific supporting "turn" from Steve Buscemi as you would imagine and the fx are extremely attention grabbing. Those on the asteroid itself quite deafeningly realistic in the theater especially. Get over the "implausibility factor" for God's sake, did anyone complain about JURASSIC PARK being far fetched? 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY being "unlikely?" ARMAGEDDON is a solid piece of exciting scifi - kindly leave it at that!