A Woeful Hollywood Popcorn Party

Rating: 3/10 (8 November 2019)

Following our naval hero "Dick Best" through some significant WWII moments seemed more like pro-war propaganda than true war. The screen was alive with star studded names and Captain America like bravery full of cliche dialogue and cowering cowards needing encouragement from the brave heroes we all have come to know through the annals of history. I couldn't help but snicker towards the end as my boyish comedic brain was firing on all cylinders as we watch "Dick Best" heroically drop a bomb on the last Japanese carrier exclaiming "This is for Pearl Harbor!" as he narrowly escapes the explosions and the seabed below. I was able to almost recite verbatim his speech to his cowering gunner who no longer wanted to fight that if he didn't do this he would regret it the rest of his life. Or the pure comedic moment another Pilot is grasping for bravery and asking Dick to turn in his wings only for Dick to promise to watch after the young pilot and be his wingman only in the very next scene to witness the scared, young pilot not even be able to get his plane off the deck of the carrier as Dick Best yells to abort!
The special effects and battle scenes are entertaining and visually stunning on the newer screens with incredible sound systems. Our seats were rumbling the whole time but to expect anything more than a smash and grab job of a film would be putting yourself in a position of great disappointment.