Another Bruce Willis classic action...always one of my favorites since the day I saw it for the first time

Rating: 9/10 (6 May 2007)

It was July 1st, 1998...Canada's Day for those of us who are Canadian. I skipped the fireworks and decided to rush out to see the new Bruce Willis movie entitled Armageddon and that day brought me one of my favorite movies to date even 10 years later. I caught it again recently expectantly while on vacation on TV and was impressed all over again. An ensemble cast that makes the film funny, edge of your seat action, huge special effects, amazing director and production and even a terrific story line amidst a rather predictable plot that had been done before and has been done since in one way or another. Many write how much they hate Armageddon but at well over 300 million dollars grossed and even some Oscar Nominations for effects and sound and such...somebody loved it and I was one of them. I have even read some who called Armageddon campy and I can't agree with that at all. Top notch special effects, and a huge budget ensured that even the wildest plot seemed feasible and real. You were strapped to your seat the minute they left the planet right onto that asteroid and then all the way back to Earth. It was the thrill ride of the decade.
Bruce Willis led the cast of slightly unknowns at the time as world class oil driller Harry S. Stamper who lives his life on his oil rig along with his now grown daughter Grace. Willis plays this character to a "T". Some would say it's his 'usual' character but in this case Harry Stamper is the usual Willis. He's macho, and oozing testosterone and the brighter of the group and he's a concerned father and a determined driller. He's a self made man and won't let anyone tell him how to do things. Willis is a powerhouse on screen. He was at his finest. Liv Tyler is Willis' daughter Grace and doesn't get a lot of screen time compared to some of the other cast members but she still does well showing the emotion and playing the romantic lead opposite Ben Affleck. Affleck plays young, head strong and very stubborn A.J. Frost who is in love with Stamper's daughter much to his dismay. Affleck and Willis butt heads on numerous issues but in the end are like father and son. They have great chemistry together and even the romance between Affleck and Tyler which is like a sub-sub-story works well and really adds to the plot. The supporting cast is just about brilliant and really jump started some careers...Billy Bob Thorton plays NASA administrator heading up this mission from the ground Dan Truman. Although the role is a little small he still manages to make the best of it and really give an emotional performance. Will Patton is terrific as estranged father and husband ready to be a hero 'Chick' Chapple, Steve Buscemi is good and important but a little over zealous as the woman hungry and a little deranged 'Rockhound.' Owen Wilson is pretty good as the cowboy Oscar Choi who gets some humorous one liners but I'm still not sure what his purpose in the mission was. Michael Clarke Duncan is terrific as the heavy lifter and operator 'Bear' Kurleenbear, Peter Stormare practically steals the show as stranded and reluctant cosmonaut Lev Andropov. And William Fichtner (who seems to pop up in various character roles) plays the lead NASA Astronaut on board Colonel William Sharp who butts heads with Willis on numerous occasions and holds his own against him.
Michael Bay is no stranger to action films and definitely has his own wild style when it comes to directing and producing. He directed amazing action flicks like Bad Boys, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor and The Island (which I liked!!) and is bringing to life the Transformers this summer. His gritty realism in the face of what otherwise would be the unbelievable makes him a master of this genre. He can make you believe anything and then take you on a wild ride as though you were sitting right there with them. Armageddon is the type of movie where when the ball gets rolling you could stand with your jaw dropped and not move until the credits role because the action is literally non stop and it's almost stressful to watch everything unfold one scene after the next. If somehow you haven't seen Armageddon you're missing out on one of the most fantastic disaster, action epics of the last decade. Please I insist you see this one because you'll enjoy every minute of it and it doesn't disappoint fans anywhere!! 9/10