Get a decent DJ... and remix this! Please!

Rating: 3/10 (23 June 2001)

Warning: mild spoilers ahead.
First (I truly have to let this out of my chest):
As a non-american viewer, I felt actually insulted (even if I am not japanese) by some parts of this movie. The patriotism clichés (a torn flag floating in the water, the speeches by an englishman telling the north american that the U.S. could take any country in the world with such men, et cetera) are terrible for a summer blockbuster (at least, ID4 acknowledged the campiness in the President's speech). But the truly terrible part is the depiction of the japanese army. Every soldier or higher ranking man is ugly, short, with terrible hair, etc., while the north american soldiers are perfectly dressed, cute, handsome, etc. Still, since Hollywood made this movie, it is only logical that the North Americans must look their best against an ugly, almost deformed enemy.
The real problem I see with this movie is that we are presented with Titanic Redux. Throw in a love story with a nice looking guy and girl, plenty of drama, a love triangle, and you have the teen market cornered. Add lots of bullets, and you will surely get men and boys. Then, historical accuracy, and (maybe) you will get the biggest audience possible. Sadly, this movie bombs almost as hard as the torpedos at Pearl Harbour on that fateful day.
First, the love story. It is too long, too boring, too clichéd. It even has its "I am the King of the World" scene (where Danny and the girl go flying). The audience I saw the movie with actually started making noises in protest... and I saw a couple leaving *before* the fighting scenes. They couldn't take it anymore (and neither could I).
The love triangle. So predictable, it was boring. It was never gripping enough as to be an integral part of the plot, anyway.
The war scenes. Simply incredible. Terrific. Awesome. Not quite "Saving Private Ryan", but close. Very, very close. Not so gory, not so realistic, but perfectly executed. I can hardly think of anything that could be done to make these precious few minutes better.
Historical accuracy: dunno. I'd have to check on that. Still, with so few references to actual events, it is not a movie you'd go to learn about the facts that made Japan attack the US (at the beginning of the film, it is explained that the fuel embargo was the reason for the attack. It seems a very flimsy reason to attack, but that's what was said).

So, what to do with this sad piece of film? Well, the war scenes are so good, I had to raise my final rating from 4 to 7 stars. Think about it. But there could be something that would save the movie. Get a good film editor, cut the love scenes (cut some 2 hours, actually), leave the fight scenes, and film the entire drama behind Pearl Harbor. The real things that happened before and after December 7. Make the film shorter by some 45 minutes, and you will have a knockout of a movie.
As it is, oh well. I guess I'll have to wait and see Atlantis, so I can say I watched a great movie this summer.