The sleeping giant awakens. Awesome blockbuster!

Rating: 7/10 (30 December 2001)

Even before this movie's release it was hard to hide from. The trailers only hint at the visual spectacle it is. Expertly directed by Michael Bay and written by Randall Wallace, this truly qualifies for epic status with its nearly three and a half hours running time. Outstanding visual effects; the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is ruthless, relentless and totally chaotic. Hans Zimmer's musical score is grand as it is haunting.
The story is a reenactment of one of the most tragic days in America's history, but a lot of the facts are very loosely interpreted. Albeit few can walk away from this movie with total disappointment or a dry eye. Two childhood friends(Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett)learn to fly and go off to join the war and end up falling in love with the same Navy nurse(Kate Beckinsale). The three lead characters are out acted by the brilliant performance of John Voight as President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Alec Baldwin succeeds in making Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle look smug and arrogant. In smaller roles, but notable work in support comes from Cuba Gooding Jr., James King, Mako and Tom Sizemore. Kudos to producer Jerry Bruckheimer for a project well done. Romance, drama, and dynamic war action...PEARL is interesting and enjoyable; a must see.