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Film Review: Pearl Harbor (2001)@drax1117d
One of the most ironic examples of life imitating art happened in 2001 when Pearl Harbor, spectacular Hollywood film depicting the deadliest enemy attack on US soil in 20th Century, was released only few months before the deadliest enemy attack on US soil in 21st Century. This macabre coincidence, on the other hand, prevented producer Jerry Bruckheimmer and director Michael Bay from taking undeserved accolades that would have certainly come in patriotic hysteria that gripped USA and most of the Western world following 9/11.
The protagonists are Rafe McCawley (played by Ben Affleck) and Danny Walker (played by Josh Hartnett) - two young men and best friends who, since childhood, dreamed of becoming fighter pilots. In 1940 their dream comes true when they join US Army Air Force. However, their career seems to be uneventful since USA is still neutral in Second World War despite Hitler’s Germany taking over most of Europe. Major Doolittle (played by Alec Baldwin) is, however, convinced that USA will inevitably get drawn in the conflict and would need fighter pilots with combat experience. He encourages Rafe to join US volunteers in Royal Air Force that defends Britain from Germans. Because of that Rafe is forced to leave his girlfriend, Army nurse Evelyn Stewart (played by Kate Beckinsale). She is, together with Danny, transferred to Pearl Harbor, US Navy base on Hawaiian island of Oahu. When they received news that Rafe was shot down over British Channel, Danny starts to comfort Eveyln and, inevitably, their relationship evolves into romance. Things get complicated when it turns out that Rafe not only survived, but actually rejoined US Army Air Force and also got transferred to Pearl Harbour. The romantic rivalry between two best friends, however, is put aside by more serious matter. On December 7th 1941 the most important base of US Pacific Fleet is suddenly attacked by hundreds of Japanese aircraft. In the ensuing chaos Rafe and Billy will forget their feud and do exactly what they were dreaming about their whole lives. Despite all their heroic effort, Pacific Fleet is wrecked and it would take a very long time before it is able to do something serious against Japanese forces conquering Pacific. While Evelyn discovers her pregnancy, Rafe and Billy volunteer to top secret suicide mission against Japanese mainland that would, at least symbolically, turn the tide of the war.
Made by Disney, studio which, at the time, is on its way to become dominant force in Hollywood, Pearl Harbor was supposed to mark 60th anniversary of US entry into Second World War. But it also provided an opportunity for Disney to combine of two very successful films of recent times – Titanic, which had used romantic with historical catastrophe in background; and Saving Private Ryan as patriotic celebration of US military at its finest hour. This formula could have worked, but not with Bruckheimer and Bay at the helm. It is most visible in the scenes that provide the only truly interesting content of the film – reconstruction of Japanese attack. As long as film requires plenty of explosion, gunfire and CGI, Bay can handle it and Pearl Harbor is watchable. The problem is that the attack itself lasted for an hour, which Bay was, for dramatic and other purposes, had to cut to around thirty minutes.
What comes before and after those scenes turns into dreadful Hollywood melodrama, which Bay is incapable of properly directing. But even Bay had more talent for it, he couldn’t have do much with a terrible script by Randall Wallace that fills relatively simple love triangle story with dialogues that make average soap opera look like literary classic. Things get even worse with rampant use of cliches that allows even for less experienced audience to easily guess which character will live or die. Yet, most of the viewers wouldn’t care much about it, because Affleck, and, to a lesser degree, Beckinsale and Hartnett seem completely disinterested for their roles and thus make their characters bland and forgettable. Some supporting actors try harder, like Mako in the role of Japanese admiral Yamamoto who appears in the scenes that are supposed to give “proper” historic context to the events depicted in the film. Yet, Wallace’s script fails even in that, making viewers unfamiliar with history confused over what was Second World War fought over and who were participants. Partly because of “political correctness” and desire to avoid any accusations of racism, and partly because Disney needed lucrative Japanese market, Japanese characters aren’t shown as backstabbing aggressor but noble warriors, forced by unfortunate circumstances to go to war with USA. Although Pearl Harbor tried not to alter actual Second World War history in the manner The English Patient or U-571 had done, there were still plenty of historical inaccuracies – like US pilots changing militaries like some people change socks, President Roosevelt not being affected by polio or fighter pilots being chosen for the most delicate bomber mission. Most of the surviving Pearl Harbor veterans didn’t like the film and the sentiment was shared by most critics. It didn’t change much even with commercial results worldwide being good. While music soundtrack by Hans Zimmer represents one of the better works of his career, it is simply not enough to give Pearl Harbor passing grade or justify viewers spending three hours of their lives on something representing the worst excesses of contemporary Hollywood. Film’s reputation was cemented three years later, when Trey Parker’s Team America: World Police featured “End of an Act”, popular song dedicated exclusively to roasting Michael Bay’s work.
Pearl Harbor es sin lugar a dudas mi película favorita por muchas razones, pero la principal es que la he visto varias veces y cada vez que tengo oportunidad lo vuelvo hacer, lo que significa que la película realmente me gusto. Este es un film de género bélico que nos muestra lo que paso en el ataque a la basa naval estadounidense de Pearl Harbor en la segunda guerra mundial por parte del imperio de Japón, además que liga el drama, la acción y el romance. Al inicio de esta película vemos como todo es calma, con mucha diversión y romance, pero a medida que esta avanza la acción y la tensión aumenta cada vez más, viendo más acción, por lo cual pienso que es el motivo por el cual conecte tanto con esta película. Su estreno fue el 25 de mayo de 2001, lo cual ya han pasado 21 años, tiene mucho tiempo desde que fue lanzada a las salas de cine, pero en la actualidad aún es transmitida por tv. Tal vez para aquellos que no les gusta las películas de romance puede que no les guste ya que esta ha recibido varias críticas durante estos años por este aspecto, de allí es donde me planteo la pregunta, ¿Será que fue una buena película? en mi opinión personal pienso que sí, ya que me llaman la atención las películas de género bélicos y al darle un toque de romance, con momentos de tranquilidad, fiestas y mucho más, para luego venir el verdadero drama y acción, eso es lo que me fascinas de esta película.
Pearl Harbor is undoubtedly my favorite movie for many reasons, but the main one is that I have seen it several times and every time I have the opportunity I do it again, which means that I really liked the movie. This is a war film that shows us what happened in the attack on the U.S. naval base of Pearl Harbor in World War II by the empire of Japan, in addition to linking drama, action and romance. At the beginning of this movie we see how everything is calm, with a lot of fun and romance, but as the movie progresses the action and tension increases more and more, seeing more action, which I think is the reason why I connect so much with this movie. Its premiere was on May 25, 2001, which is 21 years ago, it has a long time since it was released in theaters, but nowadays it is still broadcasted on TV. Perhaps for those who do not like romance movies may not like it because it has received several criticisms over the years for this aspect, that's where I ask myself the question, Was it a good movie? in my personal opinion I think so, because I am attracted to the war genre films and give a touch of romance, with moments of tranquility, parties and more, and then come the real drama and action, that's what fascinates me about this movie.
La trama de esta película nos cuenta como dos amigos que se conocen desde muy chicos se enlistan en el ejército de los Estados Unidos, ya que su sueño es convertirse en pilotos de aviones. Todo es perfecto entre ellos, ya que incluso se consideran hermanos, pero el drama comienza en parte cuando estos dos se enamoran de una enfermera y allí es donde empieza la rivalidad o disputa entre ellos, pero bueno tampoco es que la película se enfrascan mucho en esto, ya que lo más importante de historia es que también está basada en el ataque de Pearl Harbor que paso durante la segunda guerra mundial, aunque para ese momento aún EE.UU aún había entrado directamente en el conflicto, sino que prestaba apoyo logístico a sus aliados. Este último hecho es del más impactante de la historia, ver como mueren muchas personas, donde toda la base está en caos, muchas personas heridas y murtas por todos lados, la verdad es que esto fue bastante nostálgico y triste, pero sin pensarlo dos veces, fue de las mejores escenas de este film.
The plot of this movie tells us how two friends who have known each other since they were very young enlist in the U.S. Army, since their dream is to become airplane pilots. Everything is perfect between them, as they even consider themselves brothers, but the drama begins in part when these two fall in love with a nurse and that is where the rivalry or dispute between them begins, but well, the film does not get too caught up in this, since the most important thing is that the story is also based on the Pearl Harbor attack that happened during the Second World War, although at that time the U.S. had not yet entered directly into the conflict, but provided logistical support to its allies. This last fact is the most shocking of the story, see how many people die, where the whole base is in chaos, many wounded and dead people everywhere, the truth is that this was quite nostalgic and sad, but without thinking twice, it was one of the best scenes of this film.
Una de las cosas que más me gusta es como se desarrolla la historia, no es nada lento y mucho menos aburrida, al menos eso fue lo que percibí de la película ya que logré conectar en todo momento con ella. La polémica empieza cuando Rafe quien es interpretado por Ben Affleck se fue a la guerra en Europa como piloto de la aviación de Gran Bretaña, donde este tiene que dejar a su novia Evelyn Johnson (interpretada por Kate Beckinsale) y amigo Dani (Josh Hartnett) en su país natal. Más tarde estos dos reciben la noticia de que Rafe había muerto y al cabo del tiempo Dani se enamora de Evelyn, ambos empiezan a tener un romance, pero más tarde se enteran que el teniente Rafe está vivo y al este reaparecer empiezan los problemas entre ellos. Allí es donde me pregunto ¿Qué habrías hecho tú en ese caso, te meterías con la novia de tu mejor amigo? Bueno tal vez no lo hubiese hecho pero entiendo que en el amor nadie manda, aunque Evelyn en realidad estaba muy enamorada de Rafe pero tampoco quería lastimar a Dani y más cuando quedo embarazada de este último. Lo más importante es que la película no se enfrasco tanto en esto y la realidad es que no hubo tiempo, ya que el ataque a la base donde estaban dio comienzo y debieron luchar, esto en el caso de los saldados ya que la enfermera se dedicó en ayudar a los heridos.
One of the things I like the most is how the story develops, it is not slow at all and much less boring, at least that was what I perceived from the movie since I managed to connect with it at all times. The controversy begins when Rafe who is played by Ben Affleck went to war in Europe as a pilot of the aviation of Great Britain, where he has to leave his girlfriend Evelyn Johnson (played by Kate Beckinsale) and friend Dani (Josh Hartnett) in his native country. Later these two receive the news that Rafe had died and after a while Dani falls in love with Evelyn, both begin to have an affair, but later they find out that Lieutenant Rafe is alive and when he reappears the problems between them begin. That's where I wonder what would you have done in that case, would you mess with your best friend's girlfriend? Well maybe I wouldn't have done it but I understand that in love no one is in charge, although Evelyn was really in love with Rafe but she didn't want to hurt Dani and even more when she got pregnant by the latter. The most important thing is that the movie didn't get so involved in this and the reality is that there was no time, since the attack to the base where they were began and they had to fight, this in the case of the soldiers since the nurse was dedicated to help the wounded.
Lo más impresionante de todo fue el ataque, la película cuenta con grandes efectos visuales, tanto en las explosiones, disparos y todo lo que se pueda dar en un ataque aéreo que se dan durante una guerra. La historia en este aspecto está bien fundamentada y contada, ya que he visto muchos documentales de lo sucedido y los guionistas y director supieron adaptar muy bien al film. Otra de las cosas que debo destacar también es que un marinero afroamericano fue el primero en disparar un arma y derribar un avión, ya que en esos tiempos a las soldados negros tan solo se le permitían esta como cocineros, pero durante el ataque este se dispuso a tomar un arma y ayudar a sus compañeros, que al cabo del tiempo vemos como fue condecorado y tal vez de allí las cosas empezaron a cambiar con respecto a este tema.
The most impressive of all was the attack, the film has great visual effects, both in explosions, gunfire and everything that can occur in an air raid that occur during a war. The story in this aspect is well founded and told, as I have seen many documentaries of what happened and the screenwriters and director knew how to adapt very well to the film. Another thing that I must also highlight is that an African American sailor was the first to fire a gun and shoot down a plane, because in those times black soldiers were only allowed to be cooks, but during the attack he was ready to take a gun and help his comrades, and after a while we see how he was decorated and perhaps from there things began to change with respect to this issue.
El trabajo del reparto tal vez no fue el más destacado ya que fue muy criticado, pero tomando en cuenta lo visto a mí sí que me gusto, conecte con cada uno de ellos y me pareció que hicieron un buen trabajo en cada una de las escenas y mostraron felicidad, amor, tristeza, desesperación, alegría, todo dependiendo de lo que estaba pasando. Otra de las cosas que hay que destacar es que la película al inicio nos transmite la tranquilidad que en ese momento vivía la nación americana, que todo parecía estar tranquilo y hacían caso omiso a lo que estaba pasando en el viejo continente, pero esto cambió rápidamente. Otro de los hechos que hay que resaltar de este film es que nos cuenta el ataque que la aviación de los Estados Unidos hizo a Tokio (Japón), todos dirigidos por Jimmy Doolittle, quien en la película fue interpretado Alec Baldwin, quien hizo un trabajo bastante notable al interpretar a este gran personaje de la historia de los EE.UU.
The work of the cast was perhaps not the most outstanding since it was highly criticized, but taking into account what I saw I did like it, I connected with each of them and I thought they did a good job in each of the scenes and showed happiness, love, sadness, despair, joy, all depending on what was happening. Another thing to highlight is that the film at the beginning conveys the tranquility that at that time the American nation was living, everything seemed to be calm and they ignored what was happening in the old continent, but this changed quickly. Another of the facts that must be highlighted in this film is that it tells us about the attack that the United States aviation made on Tokyo (Japan), all directed by Jimmy Doolittle, who in the film was played by Alec Baldwin, who did a quite remarkable job in playing this great character in the history of the United States.
Veredicto Final
Final Verdict
La película Pearl Harbor tal vez ha tenido muchas críticas al decir que las personas no siente nada con ella, pero les debo decir que este no fue mi caso, este film me llegó mucho, más que todo en el momento del ataque a la base, día que es muy conocido como el de la infamia declarado por el aquel entonces presidente de los EE.UU Franklin D. Roosevelt, en el tan famoso discurso ante el congreso de ese país, donde este perdió al ente que se le declarará la guerra a Japón. La película dispuso de un gran reparto quienes hicieron un gran trabajo, al menos en cuanto a mi gusto personal llegue a esta conclusión. Me gusta la liga que le dio el film entre acciones bélicas y el romance vividos por los soldados previo a la guerra. Otra de las razones que amé esta película fue porque los amigos dejaron su disputa a un lado para enfrentar al enemigo y luego de la lucha trataron de resolver las cosas, aunque ellos estaban claro que no todo podía ser igual. El final de la película me gustó mucho, aunque no me agrado el hecho de que muriera Dani en el ataque de Tokio al caer en suelo chico al tratar de salvar a su amigo Rafe, esto puede que nos dé un bonito mensaje, que a pesar de las adversidades y todo lo que pueda pasar en una amistad, esto se puede salvar incluso en los momentos malos y aunque el amor de una chica este de por medio. Bueno tal vez esto último no sea así del todo pero es lo que pienso.
The movie Pearl Harbor has perhaps had many critics saying that people do not feel anything with it, but I must tell you that this was not my case, this film got to me a lot, especially at the time of the attack on the base, a day that is well known as the day of infamy declared by the then U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in the famous speech before the congress of that country, where he lost to the entity that declared war on Japan. The movie had a great cast who did a great job, at least as far as my personal taste is concerned. I like the film's link between war actions and the romance experienced by the soldiers before the war. Another reason I loved this movie was because the friends put their quarrel aside to confront the enemy and after the fight they tried to resolve things, even though they were clear that not everything could be the same. The end of the movie I liked a lot, although I did not like the fact that Dani died in the attack of Tokyo when falling on the ground boy when trying to save his friend Rafe, this may give us a nice message, that despite the adversities and everything that can happen in a friendship, this can be saved even in bad times and even if the love of a girl is in the middle. Well maybe the latter is not quite true but that's what I think.
