Rent it for the battle, effects, and blunders....**SPOILERS**

Rating: Null/10 (9 July 2002)

11 observations (Spoiler alert)....1.The Bay/Bruckheimer feel was to be expected of course. My own wishful thinking....If you're going to go three hours, drop the RAF beginning and the Tokyo raid ending. Cover the destruction of more dreadnoughts in real time, with enough lead-in for historical motivations, and there will still be plenty of film left for a love story. 2. If you are short on time...Fast-forwarding through all scenes that do not include a plane or ship does not detract from the likeability of already pleasant-faced characters and cuts running time to two hours.
3.Alec Baldwin yelling "max power" conjures up images of Homer Simpson changing his name to same. Mr. Baldwin's natural smirk makes him a natural comedian; as far as Doolittles go he's got too much Doctor and not enough Jimmy. 4. My favorite "you are watching a Bay/Bruckheimer film" scene.. Baldwin and his flyers walking out of the hanger in slo-mo vee-formation with a couple of B-25's buzzing the field. Max power! 5. My favorite "instant transportation to another era" scene ...The shiny yellow/orange gas station near the end. If you're starting to doze off it might get you going again for the last half-hour, like a refreshing glass of lemonade/orange juice. 6. Least likely production memo...Bay: "I'd like to include actual footage of modern warships, digitally obscuring their modernity, in order to juxtapose the obsolescence of the battleships and Japanese illusions that the attack would cripple America's will to fight in the Pacific ." Bruckheimer: "Hey, we're already over $100 million, go nuts." 7. Most poignantly confusing moment: Japanese gunner frantically waving from the back of his plane while kids on baseball diamond interrupt play to stare skyward. Is he...a) gesturing for them to take cover, b) telling the planes behind him not to open fire on the field, or c) admonishing them for an inferior style of play? 8. Sexiest moment for the ladies without Ben or Josh in the picture...waist-down shot of Japanese pilot in stylish undies putting on cumberbund before the big dance. 9. Sexiest moment for the guys without Kate in the picture....Tom Sizemore pulling a 12-gauge out of his motorcycle and calmly opening fire on the attacking planes. 10. Proudest moment...Reviewing the U.S. Navy's great tradition of fast carriers during the launching of the well-anchored Doolittle raid. I'm not familiar with the production troubles this movie had, but did they use three carriers (two active, one museum) for this? 11. Rent it for the spectacle that it is. Enjoy spotting a million anomalies amongst the mayhem. "Pearl Harbor" is a worthy drinking game hall of fame inductee for movie mistake buffs. Save yourself from a terrible hangover, download a list and play scorekeeper!