A movie worth seeing that redeems itself despite awkward love story

Rating: 6/10 (26 May 2001)

Having just returned from seeing Pearl Harbor in Dallas, my mind is still spinning from the incredible action sequences and stress that comes with opening one's self to the emotion of war. However, it took about 30 minutes before I decided I would continue watching the movie.
The love story in the beginning was ineffective in its awkward way of dragging the viewer through a series of short scenes, then pouring on a dramatic musical score like syrup and including romantic dialogue that is reserved for the *end* of most love stories. The audience has no real attachment or concern for these characters before it is expected to feel deeply for them.
But, the movie redeems itself with truly stunning action sequences. I am unaware how historically accurate they were, but in my opinion the movie portrayed the Japanese with a great deal of respect. Notice the Japanese-American military men helping to decode messages for the U.S. and working in the hospital. As for Cuba Gooding, Jr., I believe his character, though placed somewhat clumsily into the script, served to remind the audience of the often-ignored African Americans who aided the war effort.
All in all, the movie has some cheesy moments and is flawed in its attempt at romantic sentiment. It is also, however, gripping in its action, moving, patriotic, respectful of many groups (women, African Americans, Japanese), and worth the price of the movie ticket.