Good, robust film not without flaws, of course

Rating: 5/10 (10 December 2001)

5/10 For the awesome bombing scenes and the detail to actual history. Ben Affleck hands in a reasonable performance as the dare-devil pilot who always manages to save the day (not Dec 7, 1941 unfortunutely). Superb FDR by Jon Voight - only wished more of his characterization made it into the film. Cuba Gooding, Jr and Alec Baldwin perfectly cast and also wished additional footage.
Josh Hartnett is too pretty to be a man and it takes from his character. He is not believable as the dare-devil pilot wanna be. This may not be his fault as the overall writing is fair to average and the inside plot of the triangle love affair is somewhat sit-com and poorly presented. Kate Beckinsale also works with poor dialogue and does her best as the woman caught between two men.
However, the overall film gets a special boost and is timely considering the other date that will live in infamy - September 11th. Pearl Harbor stimulates our patriotism in these troubled times and provides the needed justice we currently seek. I would rarely join a movie with current events but I urge everybody to experience this film with USA in their hearts and I think you will see what I mean.
Thank-God no sequel exists for this film.