Faster than a speeding bullet,more powerful than a locomotive,able to leap small romances in a single bound.

Rating: Null/10 (5 December 2001)

The only real problem with this movie is it's title.If any other title were chosen,then it would undoubtedly be heralded and lauded over as a great piece of filmmaking.But since Pearl Harbor was to be its fait accompli,then many are offended and take it to task.Why,I don't know or care.It is after all,a movie.Not World at War.Or some submarine movie that can not submerge and take wind of its true potential.After reading some very naive comments and reviews over,I find many a film buff to be unable to appreciate what is trying to be accomplished by this movie.It is long,and sappy with love interest at times,but that is the nature of the beast.To entertain through romance and buddy interaction because war is hell and one never knows,what is around corner.And anyone in the military can testify to the power of the opposite sex for motivation to go to war and battle for cause. And least we forget that many a military GI had romanced and married during his stay,whether home or abroad.
Pearl starts out nicely with eager relationship betwen 2 early gung-ho kids,just playing around a single prop airfield.Their enthusiasm is quite apparent,and for good reason.They will quickly go on to enlist and fight for country.The bond is set,and the competitive nature established.These buddies will be the focal point of story and plot. Ben Affleck,looking dapper and crisp in uniform,takes me back to another good actor with similiar qualities-Robert Taylor.Both men exuded confidence and a gung-ho spirit that was both manly and charming.Tough and yet tender enough to appeal to most every women.These are the kind of men we want as officers and leaders,who will compassionately and fairly go to battle,and do us proud with their sense of self.It is this sense of self that separates a worthy character and actor from just an ordinary GI or Mr.Joblo.It takes bravura and gusto,along with handsome charm to pull off. Affleck is almost perfect in role.Why some are offended by his performance is not my concern.There are some who would question Mother Teresa.Our world is undeniably fickle in its mentality,at times. The gals are also very pretty and wholesome,giving off their sweet and wild-eyed sexiness,to the applause of most enlisted men and any GI worth his salt for appreciation of.Pinup girls and painted portraits of such were commonplace during the war and for good reason.An incentive to go to war and kick butt,thereby returning home for some Mom,apple pie and Girls,girls,girls.So the love interest aspect of Pearl is not only warranted but quite apropriate.I think it a good thing to establish some romance before fighting for one's life.
And if action is key to many a film nowadays ,then this film can float along on its merry laurels,with not so much as a hiccup to gather dust.The action is as fast and furious as humanly possible and state of the art in places,maybe a bit too overwhelming,for many eyes and ears.It was a bit too much for me personally,not giving in to action scenes very much.But its all in there,and done with great effect.
As for the overall length and scope of drama,it succeeds on many levels and is sure to cause a stir among former veterans of war and Gen Xer's who aren't used to all that much honesty and true felt discipline,being a cold war bunch of slackers.So,i welcome good discerning debate as to the merits and pratfalls of this epic and grand display of emotion,action and above all loyalty. 4 out of 5 star or 8/10 for rather long but big attempt to expose war and romance with straight forward emotion.