This was about Pearl Harbor?

Rating: 1/10 (27 May 2001)

First, let me say that this film did not live up to its name-sake. If you title a movie about a historic battle, then you had better focus on that point, and not go off on a tangent. Love stories and war naturally go together, however you shouldn't mix the two too deeply - otherwise you might end up with this film. I rate the love story in this film as 7, and the war story a 5.
If this movie is supposed to be about love, then the bulk of this movie should be about the couple and the war should be placed on the back burner. The dramatic interlude with the war is not needed, just its effect. If the movie dropped the parts about the planning for the battle, and much of the battle was dropped as well, then the love story would be stronger.

If this movie is supposed to be about war, then where was the planning for the battle? I will admit, the actual battle of Pearl Harbor was spectacular, however, there was something lost in the movie. You cannot just show the explosions without a purpose. Although I would imagine that most people who see the movie know something about the attack, the movie still needs to give background information and the planning for the attack.
The main problem with this movie is that it is a mix of two types of movies, both trying to attract audiences. Love and war both sell tickets, but they have to be mixed carefully, without imposing too much on the other.

Something needs to be dropped from this movie, either the love story or the interest in the war. It would be easier to drop the war, at the risk of ticket sales, but otherwise much more time needs to be spent on the story of the war. The title would also be something to change. If a movie is titled "Pearl Harbor," then one would assume that the movie will be about the attack, which this one is not.
If you want a war movie about Pearl Harbor, see "Tora! Tora! Tora!" If you want to see a movie about the effects of war, see "Saving Private Ryan." If you want to see a movie about love, don't see a war movie. This film could have been better, but those changes were probably overlooked in the development of the movie and the push to be the biggest movie this summer. Overall, I say a 6, but it could easily have been better.