Josh Hartnett Movie:

Editorial Review:
To call Pearl Harbor a throwback to old-time war movies is something of an understatement. Director Michael Bay's epic take on the bombing that brought the United States into World War II hijacks every war movie situation and cliché (some affectionate, some stale) you've ever seen and gives them a shiny, glossy spin until the whole movie practically gleams. Planes glisten, water sparkles, trees beckon--and Bay's re-creation of the bombing itself, a 30-minute sequence that's tightly choreographed and amazingly photographed, sets the action movie bar up quite a few notches. And in updating the classic war film, Bay and screenwriter Randall Wallace (Braveheart) use that old plot standby, the love triangle--this time, it's between two pilots (Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett) and a nurse (Kate Beckinsale) who find themselves stationed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, during what they thought would be a nice, sunny tour of duty. Then, of course, history intervened.
br/> For the first 90 minutes of the movie, Affleck and Beckinsale find a nice, appealing chemistry that plays on his strengths as a movie star and hers as a serious actress--he gives her glamour, she gives him smarts. Their truncated romance--the beginning of which is told in flashback so we can get right to the point where he has to leave her to go to England--works, thanks to their charm. They're no Kate and Leo from Titanic (a strategy the film strives hard toward), but they're pretty darn adorable in their own right. Hartnett, as the not entirely unwelcome third wheel, squints bravely but makes only a slight dent in the film. Everyone else in Pearl Harbor--from Cuba Gooding Jr.'s brave navy seaman to Jon Voight's able impersonation of FDR--is pretty much a glorified walk-on, taking a backseat to the pyrotechnics and action sequences that keep the three-hour film in fairly constant motion. But when that action does take hold, Pearl Harbor is quite a thrilling ride. --Mark Englehart

Pearl Harbor [Region 2] Reviews:
Special effects extravaganza with a great love story to boot.
2009-06-21 - If you want action this movie has some serious action. Will you have to fast forward a bunch to get to it? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes, great action.

If you want a great and unique love story this movie has it. Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett play best buddy airmen who vie for the same women's (Kate Beckinsale) affection. Without giving too much away through a strange twist of fate they both end up with the girl at different times and it seems like everything is falling apart when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. From then on out the movie takes a quick detour from Romance to Action and does so abruptly and amazingly. This movie makes you feel like you are there at one of the most horrific days of American history. The buddies of course must work together to save their friends and in doing so reach an understanding with one another before they both have to leave the girl they love to attack Japan with none other than General James Doolittle.

In the end this becomes a very touching thought out story that I enjoyed tremendously. There are a few side stories that seem forced, but overall the cast is fun and the story is excellent. The Blu-ray is excellent for both sound and picture.


Great movie and great video quality
2009-05-18 - If your a fan of the film and are looking for the HD experience then rest assured it delivers. Even if you haven't seen the film, chances are you'll enjoy it.

Way Better Than Expected!
2009-04-13 - I caught this movie on HD cable over the weekend and was blown away by how good it is! The acting was first class and the special effects were phenomenal. The story revolves around Ben Affleck and Josh Harnett who are best friends and both fall in love with Kate Beckensdale. Many people (myself included) thought that this would be a rip-off of the Leo DeCaprio/Kate Winslet story of Titanic. It is nothing of the sort. Though Affleck and Harnett are love rivals, they remain true friends throughout.

The story is loaded with several little subplots that happen during the attack and Beckensdale's character has some awesome scenes as a nurse trying to deal with all the wounded and being a calming influence on many fatally injured.

The story does not end with the attack but continues with a daring mission undertaken by Harnett and Affleck with an extraordinary performance by Alec Baldwin as their leader and trainer. The actor that portrays FDR is also excellent and has some great moments of his own. Each of these actors could easily have won an Oscar for their performance. Try not to miss this one while it is still free on cable!


Great story and picture quality
2009-01-09 - I've watched this movie a number of times via standard DVD format and now Blu Ray. This is a really nice movie to showcase your Blu Ray player and HD TV, I thought the picture and sound quality was astounding, and I'm fussy.

Dissapointing Blu Ray
2009-01-09 - The two stars are for the Japanese approach into Pearl Harbor and the action torpedo sequence. The rest of the plot is worthless! On the Blu Ray version the images are not what I had expected, there is no DTS Sound, and what happened with all the extra features from the original dvd? Same dissapointing plots as Titanic, and Black Hawk Down. Hope the Patriot doesn't dissapoint me when I go see it in blu ray.