Well! There I go defending one of the most loathed films of the 2000s...and I'd do it again! Mwahahahahahaha Thank you so much for watching these videos. If you could click like, subscribe and leave a comment - that kind of support really helps it when the dreaded algorithm continually buries our videos. If you're in a position to do so - maybe even consider heading on over to www.patreon.com/inframeout

@trinaq

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for defending "Pearl Harbor." While it has its major flaws, its not without its merits either. The three leads all deliver strong performances, but at times, it's impossible to care about the love triangle when it takes up screentime from a far more interesting main story.

This movie tried WAY too hard to be the next "Titantic", a love story set amidst an historical disaster. While the idea sounded decent in theory, the problem was that unlike with Jack and Rose, the stakes didn't seem as high for Danny, Rafe or Evelyn, and the love triangle seemed to dominate the entire plot. Cuba Gooding's cook seemed a lot more compelling and likeable, in my opinion.

One thing that is actually amazing in Pearl Harbor is the cinematography. DAMN, does that movie look amazing!

@nbt2310

2 жыл бұрын

This is arguably the best looking movie ever. It is a 3 hour commercial.

@racewiththefalcons1

2 жыл бұрын

@@nbt2310 I felt the need to immediately disagree on it being among the greatest looking films ever, but I have no counterargument. It's up there.

@JeffreyDeCristofaro

2 жыл бұрын

I couldn't agree with you more on that, the cinematography should have been Oscar-nominated! Not that it would have won, but still, the imagery was the proper balance between gritty and glossy, and Hawaii looks just as beautiful as when I first visited it back in May 2002, a year after this movie's release.

Thanks for consistently being one of the most nuanced, unpretentious and well-written film review channels on YT. Really great work. Whenever Michael Bay comes up I can't help but remember someone's description of Baz Luhrmann as "The Michael Bay of jazz hands".

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

That really means a lot - and that is maybe the perfect description of Baz Luhrmann

@katevgrady

2 жыл бұрын

Second this. Yall will absolutely blow up if you keep going like this.

@FlyingFocs

Жыл бұрын

I've said something similar: Michael Bay if he were a theater kid

John Schwartzman is a very fine cinematographer, but every gorgeous image is absolutely Michael Bay's precise hands-on aesthetic vision. Nobody does commerical sleek better.

I haven't even given this one a first look yet. But I'm considering it now. I never wanted to watch this because my grandpa was there and I was always upset that they gave the job of making the movie of the most intense experience in my grandpa's life to silly silly Michael Bay. Even though I love a lot of 90s Bay, he was not the creator I wanted in charge of this story. I wanted it to be more like Saving Private Ryan and less like Armageddon. And I know any movie I see will never live up to the story I know as my grandpa told it. The day before the attack he had to have an emergency appendectomy in the infirmary on base, so he was recovering there instead of on his ship when it started. He left his bed and went outside to see it all happening, and he started helping carry the injured into the infirmary. At the end of the day his doctor found him resting in a tent outside and scolded him for leaving his room in his condition, and he told the doc there were people who needed the room a lot more than he did. That's my hero. I wanted this to be taken seriously. I didn't think the love triangle thing was doing that. But then I think about how so many movies fail to get you to care about the characters and I give Bay some grace. He is obviously trying, at least, in the way he knows how. Even though I don't jive with Clint Eastwood's politics, I think he made some pretty good WW2 movies by trying to tell the stories of real people. Bay isn't about all that. He wants to put butts in seats with spectacle, and along the way you somehow end up caring about whoever Nicolas Cage is playing. That might be more of a credit to Cage than to Bay, but I digress. The cinematography in Pearl Harbor does look incredible, even for today, and that's probably the biggest draw for me, and I might just check it out now that I'm reminded of those visuals.

Your point about men misreading the films audience appeal is dead on. So many military film buffs will say "Watch TORA TORA TORA" which has absolutely no emotional core, no does it even attempt to establish one, and it is completely free of excitement or tension as a result.

@americanpatriot7233

8 ай бұрын

tora tora tora is like one of my favorite war movies of all time.and i think it has plenty of excietment and tension.

@Destroyer6263

7 ай бұрын

What are you talking about, that movie had both!

I can't answer if this movie is secretly good nor not, but from a purely historical point of view this is a spit to the face and a stab to the knee.

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

It is absolute gibberish of the highest order when it comes to historical authenticity and period detail

@Mike12mt

2 жыл бұрын

Does every Hollywood movie based on a historical event need to be surgically plucked out of history frame by frame just to be enjoyable? Is it lazy story telling? Yes! But I don't expect a accurate history lesson from my popcorn entertainment.

@murciadoxial8056

2 жыл бұрын

​@@Mike12mt Look, I'm not asking for Waterloo or Tora tora tora, it doesn't have to be a one to one recreation of the event, but at least... AT LEAST be authentic, that's literally the bare minimum, to capture the spirit of hte event and the period, and this movie doesn't do that, is just condescending and self aggrandizing in a way that is insulting.

I can't remember which video essay said it, but they mentioned how the film gets MUCH better when you ignore the third act entirely, just before it gets into the revenge aspects. That way you kind of end on an uncertain note, but one that still feels like it means something. I haven't attempted to watch this movie yet, but when I do I think I'm planning on going that route since everything leading up to that has been talked about as being well-done. Nice to see someone willing to praise and critique a film.

A very interesting and informative take on this film. I think it was always designed to be something that shot respect at the significance of the actual event, and attempted multi-quadrant marketing appeal. I notice that when people discuss the earlier Michael Bay films (Bad Boys, The Rock, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor) there is scant mention of Jerry Bruckheimer and the role he has played in the creation and execution of these films. Even Bay has mentioned that Simpson/Bruckheimer pretty much left him alone in making Bad Boys at Sony (they were handling the larger Tony Scott-helmed Crimson Tide at Disney), but then became more hands-on producers after Bad Boys became such a hit.

No

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

This is absolutely a valid answer

@edithprince5305

2 жыл бұрын

@@inframeout lol sorry, felt like being funny, but this is a really good video!

0:21 COOL GUYS DONT LOOK AT EXPLOSIONS

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

JJ ABRAMS!

Ngl, I think the shot of the bomb being dropped and diving down towards the Arizona is the best visual effects shot of the whole movie at 8:22.

You are one of the best video essayists I've come across on this website. Your insight is both educational and hilarious at certain points. 10/10 work!

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

That means so so much to me (especially considering how little traction anything we put out gets with the dreaded algorithm). Thank you for reaching out with your kindness

The cinematography and score is immaculate. The script..... not so much...

@inframeout

Жыл бұрын

Yup. Some real clunkers throughout

The best thing about Pearl Harbour was that teaser trailer using Zimmer's music from The Thin Red Line

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

Zimmer's best score

I watched this for the first time a couple of months ago and have to say it was much better than I expected

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

Oh absolutely...and that battle scene is indisputably great

That's why I like your work. You make me challenge my biases. Well done.

If you smear a soul in engine grease and hair gel, is it still a soul? Asking for a friend.

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

I sure hope so, otherwise I am really screwed when I get to those pearly gates with my Armageddon blu-ray in hand

To be fair i still remember that bomb shot the first time i saw it, it blew me away, it felt amazing at the time

We were soldiers is one of the only military movies that has followed this formula and does it justice honestly. Would love to see you critique that film

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

I have a real fondness for that film and it's one of the more truly unflinching, brutal but respectful of historical context American war films of the new millennium. Sam Elliott's performance is worth the price of admission alone. It goes without saying that Mel Gibson is sub-human garbage though.

@seanevans7893

2 жыл бұрын

@@inframeout 100%, its a real shame he's gone down the path he has, I have a soft spot for some of his performances. The friendly fire napalm scene is probably one of my personal favourite scenes from any movie, just how its shot and done still sends chills down my spine to this day.

I really enjoyed this movie, the air combat wasn’t the most realistic but it was entertaining and the romance was solid.

Just watched this again today with my kids. It's a beautiful movie. The cinematography is beautiful, and the visual effects still hold up today even on DVD. Yes the love story is cheesy, and it may be historically inaccurate. This isn't a documentary. It's a good film. It could have been incredible, but it's still a good watch.

The films giant problems were 1) it was marketed as a non-stop actioner, "Pearl Harbor done Black Hawk Down style" which is certainly was not, it was a slow, boring sappy romantic drama , 2) everyone found Affleck's character arrogant and annoying, and greatly preferred Hartnett's mellow/low-key character much more. Not that Hartnett was Mr. Charisma but Affleck was off-putting in this movie. Plus women at the time universally thought Hartnett was more handsome. Combine those things and having Affleck in the lead created a terrible dynamic for the film. You could truly hear the audience say "oh well" when he died and then groan when Affleck showed back up just before the attack.

At least Pearl Harbor didn't have giant robotic testicles.

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

...and even then, I wouldn't be surprised if Bay wanted to put balls on one of the boats or something

I was wondering who they pitched that Billy Zane at.

Just watched it for the first time, for all the legitimate criticisms, it’s still like six out of ten and with some editing could’ve been good to great

So you are trying to say that it deserves its place in the Criterion Collection?

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

"Armageddon" is rightfully in the Criterion collection. This? Not so much

@TruckeeDoggo

2 жыл бұрын

@@inframeoutArmageddon wasn’t afraid of being exactly what exactly it was. “Deep Impact” (perhaps the most ironic meta title ever), was viewed at the time as the more serious film but its pretension makes it pretty much unwatchable.

@RobertK1993

Жыл бұрын

4K Ultra HD Blu ray disc with Dolby Vision+Atmos Disney too cheap to make it they messed up both AVATAR 4K Blu ray disc releases

I don't disagree about the Pearl Harbor attack being magnificently filmed and edited, but I think the problem is thematic. It's too slick. The framing looks like a comic book. (12:57, for example.) Shots like the famous falling bomb are awesome in a vacuum - but why is the sneak attack being depicted as awesome in the first place? To me, it's downright jarring to make the horrors of war look, well, like a Michael Bay movie, and undercuts the horror. It's the most grandiose "Awful Taste But Great Execution" ever put on film, imo. Also, I think it's funny that you don't say one word about Dolittle's Raid. The last act is so forgettable.

I laughed out loud twice watching this video, both times at excellent Michael Bay insults.

Wow, now suddenly you made me want to check this film out again! (Thought I never find myself saying that.) And I will admit that the action and imagery were pretty awesome. That said, thanks for openly addressing the insulting aspects, including the portrayal of disabled people. As I'm on the Spectrum, I'm really not so forgiving of either Michael Bay or Randall Wallace for giving us that.

@Porsche_Addict05

Жыл бұрын

Disabled people? What?🤣

@JeffreyDeCristofaro

10 ай бұрын

I was referring to the treatment of Spud - I like Ewen Bremmer just fine, but they often use him as a component of an awkward attempt at "make cute" humor while failing to distinguish him by other means apart from his disability. And it's not the only time that Hollywood has done this, it's just one of my pet peeves of how disabled people are often represented in Hollywood.

A number of WW2 veterans disliked the film due its many inaccuracies. So, no, it's not a good film.

@angbald

10 ай бұрын

I agree it is not a good film but accuracy has nothing to do with its goodness.

😄Its transformers of War movies

Regarding the romance, I think people are just too scared to say why they hate it because it's not cerebral. People hate it because they feel bad for Ben Affleck's character who gets screwed by both this best friend and his girlfriend.

No, it's not. But I appreciate the lengthy deep dive into the film.

Underrated

Say what you will about the film, but the trailers were incredible. Bay sure loved filming huge explosions & Hartnett/Beckinsale/Affleck close ups. Watch them in their epic glory below: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aKhhpcmaoqW4e9I.html

CATCHY FILM

It has a good story, but the actual script and performances are... one of Liv Tyler's best films, if that's saying much. Her performance vs Batfleck and Hartnet is something, and Cuba Gooding is great, but aye dios the Doolittle raid... It's bad, son. It's so bad. Best WW2 film is either Longest Day, which is bad, but is how that generation saw that war, or A Bridge Too Far. Both are weird in retrospect. Really, Charade is more about WW2 than anything else, as it's about the people and the impact the war had on them. It's about PTS and loss and betrayal and stamps. Love that movie.

There's a Movies with Mikey (kzread.info/dash/bejne/m46I1taiY9fOqKg.html&ab_channel=FilmJoy) about Pearl Harbor that explores similar questions and even goes so far as to suggest that there's a not-terrible version of the movie that ends after the movie's second act.

Well, according to the academy awards, this is the best Michael Bay film.

Doubtful. But I'll keep my mind open throughout the vid.

Another great assessment from the man who neglected to mention Guns and Wankers

No.

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

An extremely valid opinion (excellent Doom Generation avatar)

I don't think any of the praise you gave comes even close to overcoming the 5 caveats you list off at the start to make this film even okay. Pearl Harbor sits confidently on the 'bad' side of the spectrum, and I think this might be one of the first times one of your videos has only further convinced me against your stance. Albeit, an interesting take and video and me maybe taking the title too seriously.

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

By the end of the video - I don't even say it's good. Just merely "Okay" - albeit with enough standout pieces of filmmaking to justify a more sympathetic watch. For the record - I hated it when it came out as well :)

How do you not have millions of more views yet? 👌👌👌

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

That'd be lovely, but for now it's nice just to have people leave nice comments :)

Billy Zane was in this movie just for you hahahahaha🤣

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

Billy Zane is a treasure

@jeffmatherly4105

2 жыл бұрын

@@inframeout i know. I've seen Demon Knight😅

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

God bless his dancing, devilish, punching-through-someones-head ways

I like Michael Bay and Ben Affleck and I still can't sit through this movie

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

It may be worth just skipping to the battle scene then ducking out when people start trying to talk again

@ellemiller7237

2 жыл бұрын

@@inframeout I have at least seen those parts hahaha so I agree completely

For me it suffers catastrophically in comparison to the magnificent Tora Tora Tora.

Laughably silly. Decent soundtrack. Watched it with my pal a few years back for a laugh and when Cuba Gooding Jnr was yelling firing that machine gun, my mate turned to me and said: "He's firing blanks."

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

What's weird is - the shot of Cuba shooting that gun is apparently a nod to Luke Skywalker shooting the Millennium Falcon's cannons in Star Wars

@kyletitterton

2 жыл бұрын

@@inframeout Fascinating. And... I'm watching the film right now on telly and... I'm actually enjoying it. The dog fight where Affleck gets shot down was genuinely thrilling and I somehow forgot that the Japanese soldiers talk in their own language which is kinda shocking for a Bay movie. If you hadn't put this video up I wouldn't have even bothered watching again so thanks man.

Just a searing hot take in this one

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

A roasting hot defense of a film that in many ways is in fact bad

Apparently Pearl harbor was copied from 1964 Bollywood movie Sangam

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

There are a lot of intentional nods to "Sangam" and the film "Tora Tora Tora"

Michael bay made great movies like 13 hours and pain and gain

I loved it

When I was around 11, this was the first movie my family owned on DVD. I thought it was an amazing piece of work! I tried rewatching it the other day… most of the elements of the movie were actually really bad and laughable 😂

L take

Meh! 🤷🏼‍♂️ The bad still outweigh the good. The Rock is Bay's only good movie!

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

I can totally see that!

So I watched this with A.AWilliams' 'Cold' playing in the background, I think it might have been quite quite moving even if it hadn't kept syncing up perfectly here there and everywhere.

Pearl Harbor was a better movie but poor documentary while Midway was a better documentary but a poor movie. If I want a movie, it's Pearl Harbor. If I want a documentary, it's the History Channel.

The melodramatic and weeping patriotism of Michael Bay, making people think american were the angelical victims in that WW2 and japanese the cruel demons, really shakes my stomach. Disgusting film and nasty director

Better than midway

But pearl harbor is just so booooring, sooo booring, even with all the explosions, it still manages to be soooo boooriiinngg... it does look nice tho.

@inframeout

2 жыл бұрын

It is absolutely 40 minutes too long