They should have blown up the movie.

Rating: 2/10 (15 August 2001)

Where does one begin? With the fictional love story on top of the historical event that's a little too reminiscent of the Titanic premise? With the made-for-Velveeta cheese acting portrayals of ultra-patriotic boys growing up in the heartland of America, whose only desire later in life is to gun down the 'japsuckers' in defense for the land of the free, the home of the brave? With the flights-of-fancy love affairs of the leading lady who settles for the flight officer who happens to survive the 'Top Secret' mission? With the inspiring pearls of wisdom (no pun intended) from Alec Baldwin's air force general character who profoundly proclaims that "there is no heart braver than that of a volunteer"? With the over-simplified sequence of events leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the stereotypical and lame portrayal of the Japanese who later fear that they "have awaken a sleeping giant"?
Perhaps it was the fact that I do not feel a deep connection to American patriotism, or the fact that I watched the Pearl Harbor in another country, that I felt the need to make gagging noises during many scenes. Or maybe it was that I thought the movie, for lack of a better term, SUCKED.
There is no point in detailing the flaws, shortcomings, and overall bad aspects of Pearl Harbor, besides the fact that it would be excruciatingly long to read. In my opinion, Hollywood should leave the movie-making of historical events to intelligent persons concerned with the actual event, and just stick to making contrived love stories involving Ben Affleck and the current leading female du jour.