has its moments

Rating: Null/10 (30 March 2003)

Long, slightly corny recreation of one of the most memorable and tragic moments in American history. The focus of the story is on two lifelong friends and U.S. Army officers (Affleck, Hartnett) and their mutual affection for a dedicated Navy nurse (Beckinsale) in the moments leading up to the devastating attack by Japanese fighter pilots on Pearl Harbor. The film's first half holds your interest with believable characters, impressive set design, and a harrowing, over-the-top depiction of the attack itself, but then it drags on for another hour or so and leads up to an unsatisfying finale. Filmmakers only seemed interested in making the first half meaningful. **½