Why?

Rating: 3/10 (15 February 2002)

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. One of the turning points of the Second World War. One of the most momentous moments in our history, and brought America-rightly or wrongly-to be the most powerful nation on earth. It should make for a momentous film: the surprise attack, the suffering, the repercussions. Yet that frightful director Michael Bay-is he the worst of all time-has made this event into a love story. The frankly drippy Ben Affleck and whathisname battle it out for the love of Kate Beckinsale, using all the romantic clichés known to mankind. Aren't the events that took place enough?
Imagine what a talented director could have done with these events. Rather than one with a cynical attitude towards the public. One that is after our bucks and that's all.
I was warned before the film that the makers had a heavy-handed attitude towards history. Fair enough, some parts of the events have been completely falsified for two main reasons. Because American Patriotism means big bucks and also to please the Japanese public. World history is the last colony of Western Culture that America has yet to control. Yet there is no need to be worried, because the way history has been changed in this film is laughable and could be read as satire!
My personal opinion is that the makers thought that the public would not be happy just to see historical drama and needed to dumb down the events to make money. This is a serious oversight: many of the public are sick of being treated like children. We can think for ourselves and I think the tide is turning against dumb down movies. People are starting to see through Jingoism, SFX corny romances and want something that matters. Something real.
Yes, the special effects are good. But so what? Are we children?
You may ask why I bothered to right this review, if I hate the film and had no obligation to see it. Well, the answer to that is, down my cinema in the United Kingdom we have no choice. On every screen, we are dominated by this American tosh.
3/10