Pearl Harbor Review
9 June 2013
Okay, I was really surprised at how much I liked this film. Alright, how much I loved this film. My little sister bought this for a good price and I was just expecting it to be like every other war film (not that I have really watched any war films... so I have no idea how I actually thought this... but oh well). But it wasn't. It had an incredible balance of humour, romance, and action all mixed together. At the end of the three hours, I was wiping the tears off my face, but so very glad that I had taken to the time to watch it.
If you've been following my reviews and the Tag Questions I get every month, you'll know that I love history and the Second World War is one of my favourite historical eras. I have read a lot of books and seen a number of films based around this time period, but the December 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor incident was one that I've never really investigated. One of the main reasons is because I was far more interested in the British involvement of the war than the American involvement. And that can be blamed on the very biased American-made history subjects I have been taking for the last 4 years or so. So when it came to studying the time when America joined WWII, they were like, "America won the war!" and "Britain could never have done it on her own!" and I was just like, "Nah. Not interested."
But to see this film was really an eye-opener. That's not to say that America did win the war or that Britain couldn't have done it on her own, but just that now I understand better the American side of things... the devastation and betrayal behind the Pearl Harbor attack... the shock and horror it was to everyone involved.
So, if you're like me, and a little apathetic about America's involvement in the war, watch this film.... with a box of tissues at hand. (and a bit of a caution, down in my RATING section...)
SYNOPSIS
If you've been following my reviews and the Tag Questions I get every month, you'll know that I love history and the Second World War is one of my favourite historical eras. I have read a lot of books and seen a number of films based around this time period, but the December 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor incident was one that I've never really investigated. One of the main reasons is because I was far more interested in the British involvement of the war than the American involvement. And that can be blamed on the very biased American-made history subjects I have been taking for the last 4 years or so. So when it came to studying the time when America joined WWII, they were like, "America won the war!" and "Britain could never have done it on her own!" and I was just like, "Nah. Not interested."
But to see this film was really an eye-opener. That's not to say that America did win the war or that Britain couldn't have done it on her own, but just that now I understand better the American side of things... the devastation and betrayal behind the Pearl Harbor attack... the shock and horror it was to everyone involved.
So, if you're like me, and a little apathetic about America's involvement in the war, watch this film.... with a box of tissues at hand. (and a bit of a caution, down in my RATING section...)
SYNOPSIS
An epic blockbuster with astounding visual effects, Pearl Harbor is another unforgettable motion picture from producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Michael Bay, the hit-making team that brought you Armegeddon. Featuring Ben Afflick, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsale in a tremendous all-star cast, the innocence of a nation is instantly shattered by a sudden and devastating act of warfare. As the lives and loves of a generation are tragically swept into the greatest conflict modern man has ever known - World War II - the events at Pearl Harbor become a supreme test for the strength of the human spirit. Also starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Alec Baldwin, John Voight, and Tom Sizemore, this breathtaking story of love, loss, and heroism is a must-see cinematic event.
SCENERY
The scenery of this film is quite varied... a lot of it is in cities or air bases, so it isn't very pretty. But the scenes when the Japanese planes are strafing Hawaii with bombs show the beauty of the place, and the very first scene with Rafe and Danny as little boys shows the Tennessee countryside.
SCENERY
The scenery of this film is quite varied... a lot of it is in cities or air bases, so it isn't very pretty. But the scenes when the Japanese planes are strafing Hawaii with bombs show the beauty of the place, and the very first scene with Rafe and Danny as little boys shows the Tennessee countryside.
STORY
This story begins in 1923, with two little boys, Rafe McCawley and Danny Walker, best friends who share a love of flying planes. Jump forward to 1941, now these young men are part of the Air Force, showing off their smooth flying - much to the displeasure of their commanding officer. However, Rafe gets sent to England to join the Eagles Squadran to help the RAF fight Hitler. Before they go, we meet Nurse Lieutenant Evelyn Johnson... who tells her fellow nurses the story of how she met Rafe, at the medical checks, where she nearly has to fail him. Rafe pulls out his charm and passion for flying, and Evelyn passes him. They begin to go out together. Rafe has to say goodbye, as he is sent to England for combat. Evelyn and the rest of the navy nurses, as well as Danny and his fellow pilots, are sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
While Rafe is fighting death across Europe and Evelyn, Danny, and the others are living a carefree life of ease, Japan is preparing to surprise America with a brutal attack... while they are pretending to work with them for 'peace'.
I can't tell you too much more about Rafe, Danny, or Evelyn without giving away massive spoilers, which is really quite frustrating, so I will just advise to you watch the film, be prepared to laugh, root, and cry. :)
I can't tell you too much more about Rafe, Danny, or Evelyn without giving away massive spoilers, which is really quite frustrating, so I will just advise to you watch the film, be prepared to laugh, root, and cry. :)
CHARACTERS
Rafe McCawley is played by Ben Afflick. This fella is the eldest of the two best friends, and the one who taught Danny how to fly. He's very brave and heroic, with absolutely no modesty (*chuckle*), loads of charm, and has trouble with words and letters. I really love his relationship with Evelyn before he leaves for England. So many soldiers took advantage of the fact that they were leaving to sleep with their girlfriends, and that is actually shown with some of Rafe's pilot buddies. But when Rafe takes Evelyn back to her hotel the night before he leaves, he tells her that he doesn't want to be like everybody else and that it would be wrong to be with her. Even when Evelyn tells him that if she had one night to live she'd want to spend it with him, Rafe just wraps his arms around her and says that he wants to have something to look forward to when he comes home, something to dream and think about... Now that is one kind of hero. :)
Rafe McCawley is played by Ben Afflick. This fella is the eldest of the two best friends, and the one who taught Danny how to fly. He's very brave and heroic, with absolutely no modesty (*chuckle*), loads of charm, and has trouble with words and letters. I really love his relationship with Evelyn before he leaves for England. So many soldiers took advantage of the fact that they were leaving to sleep with their girlfriends, and that is actually shown with some of Rafe's pilot buddies. But when Rafe takes Evelyn back to her hotel the night before he leaves, he tells her that he doesn't want to be like everybody else and that it would be wrong to be with her. Even when Evelyn tells him that if she had one night to live she'd want to spend it with him, Rafe just wraps his arms around her and says that he wants to have something to look forward to when he comes home, something to dream and think about... Now that is one kind of hero. :)
Danny Walker is played by Josh Hartnett. Immediately you note there is a big difference between Danny and his best friend, Rafe... He is far quieter and less prone to lay on the charm and false modesty. He is devastated when Rafe leaves for England, but gets the chance to improve his flying while stationed at Pearl Harbour. Throughout the film we get the chance to see him grow as a person. He goes from being very shy and dependent on Rafe, so opening up and becoming more independent. Spoiler Actually, now that I think about it, it's a little surprising that Danny would take things so far with Evelyn on only his first time out with her... considering his personality. As much as I like the character of Danny, I respect him less than Rafe because of this. End of Spoiler
Evelyn Johnson is played by Kate Beckinsale. She is a very pretty navy nurse, a lieutenant, actually. She met Rafe at the air forces medical checks, and nearly had to fail him because of his difficulty with letters. But she feels sorry for him, and was attracted to him, so she passed him. Then she portrays a cheeky, fun-loving side of her personality when Rafe came to her inoculation booth to try and get a date out of her. It's really so funny, that scene... just to prepare you :) Evelyn is really sweet, really in love with Rafe... Spoiler Even after she goes too far with Danny, she tells Rafe that she'll love him for the rest of her life, although she knows that the right place for her to be is with Danny. End of Spoiler
Rafe, Danny, and Evelyn are the three main characters. The love/friendship triangle between these three is really interesting and heart-rending to watch...
There are some minor characters that are worth mentioning briefly:
Rafe, Danny, and Evelyn are the three main characters. The love/friendship triangle between these three is really interesting and heart-rending to watch...
There are some minor characters that are worth mentioning briefly:
Lieutenant Red Winkle is played by Ewen Bremner. Red is a gangly fellow (with red hair... can't you tell?) who goes right through the flight journey with Rafe and Danny... going with them from the U.S. mainland to Pearl Harbour, then with the American pilots on the secret mission to Japan. When he meets Evelyn and her friends, he immediately falls for a young nurse, Betty. While they are together in Pearl Harbour, he proposes... in the middle of the street! :) This guy is really sweet, has a terrible stutter, and shows surprising bravery in the hard times.
Nurse Betty Bayer is played by Jaime King. Betty's a really sweet girl, sometimes a bit of her blonde-ness shines through, but I guess that's okay. I found it a little surprising that she fell so hard for Red, but I guess that's okay too. They were really sweet together... But I was even more surprised to find out how young she really was! Spoiler Betty is the one that encourages Evelyn to move on a couple of months after Rafe's 'death'. Her ending is really sad. :( End of Spoiler
Alec Baldwin plays Colonel Doolittle. He's quite the typical military leader, all bite and steel. He shares a lot of wisdom with the younger pilots. Spoiler He takes Rafe, Danny, and some other pilots on a secret mission to bomb Japan. On the way he says something pretty profound... I'll share it here: "You know what, Jack? we might lose this battle but we're gonna win this war. You know how I know? *Pause* Them. 'Cause they're rare. At times like these you see them stepping forward. There's nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer, Jack." And I can testify to how true that is. The volunteer is there because he (or she) wants to be and they'll give their all for the success of the mission they've embarked on. End of Spoiler
Petty Officer Doris Miller is played by Cuba Gooding Jr. We meet this black navy-man in Pearl Harbor, in a boxing ring. He wins the fight, and when being patched up by Evelyn he confesses that the reason he boxes is to feel good about himself. He joined the Navy so he could fight, but because he is black he got assigned to the kitchen. All he wants is someone to tell him they’re proud of him. Just before the attack on Pearl Harbor, he hears those words from his captain; and even though he had never touched a weapon before, he performs heroic acts against the Japanese planes during their attack on Pearl Harbor. This character was actually alive during this attack, and was
the first black man to be awarded a medal. Quite interesting.
the first black man to be awarded a medal. Quite interesting.
Oh, and Gooz... How could I forget Gooz? This fella is played by Michael Shannon. He is another pilot on the base at Pearl Harbor and becomes a close friend of Danny. He's a little dopey... okay, a lot dopey and always says the strangest things at the strangest times, but still a hero.
COSTUMES/HAIRSTYLES
The 1940s fashions and hairstyles for the women are gorgeous… I love this fashion era. Evelyn and a few of her nurse friends have long hair. Usually it was put up while the girls were working... but quite often when they're out and about they left it long with slight curls. It’s beautiful and I love it. :) Plus the red nail polish and lipstick were all very telling of the times.
The 1940s fashions and hairstyles for the women are gorgeous… I love this fashion era. Evelyn and a few of her nurse friends have long hair. Usually it was put up while the girls were working... but quite often when they're out and about they left it long with slight curls. It’s beautiful and I love it. :) Plus the red nail polish and lipstick were all very telling of the times.
1940s Examples:
Pearl Harbor Examples:
RATING
I loved this film, so it gets a 5 from me.
The rating for Pearl Harbor is M for medium level violence. Understandably so… this is a war film, there are battle scenes, scenes of
wounded soldiers at the hospital… lots of blood and shooting… also a fair amount of swearing. Another scene is between Danny and Evelyn. My sister and I skipped past this scene. It’s insinuating intimacy between the two of them (Spoiler which results in Evelyn falling pregnant End of Spoiler). There is also some kissing, low-cut and high-hemmed dresses featured throughout this film.
I loved this film, so it gets a 5 from me.
The rating for Pearl Harbor is M for medium level violence. Understandably so… this is a war film, there are battle scenes, scenes of
wounded soldiers at the hospital… lots of blood and shooting… also a fair amount of swearing. Another scene is between Danny and Evelyn. My sister and I skipped past this scene. It’s insinuating intimacy between the two of them (Spoiler which results in Evelyn falling pregnant End of Spoiler). There is also some kissing, low-cut and high-hemmed dresses featured throughout this film.