Search - Pearl Harbor (60th Anniversary Commemorative Gift Set) on DVD

William J. (billystan3) from AUBURN, NY
Reviewed on 2/26/2015...

For pure historical entertainment I don't think you can find a better pairing than this. The national geographic clears up all the info. from the film that is fiction but in the same breath does not hurt or belittle the Pearl Harbor movie. I think the pairing of the two is very useful for fans of history and especially Pearl Harbor's tragic history. If you enjoyed the Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett film, this pairing is definitely for you. It possesses an appeal that few war films ever achieve. I rate this collection 4.5 stars out of 5.

Its not entertaining, its not history and a bad movie...

lordhoot | Anchorage, Alaska USA | 12/13/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This must be one of the worst movies ever made in the history of Hollywood. Nothing about this movie ring true and it have to be one of the most insulting movies to Pearl Harbor veterans ever made - even if you happened to be a Japanese veteran! None of the characters are believable, the love interest felt so superifical that you are in awe of the actors who actually went through the motion. The attack on Pearl Harbor have to be one of the greatest fisco ever shot on film. All the fake smoke, noise and destruction. Worst of all were the manipulative emotional chain yanking. The sad thing was, the attack on Pearl Harbor was so poorly done that it almost look comical and unless you are a total dunce, you know that you are having your chain yanked so entire sequences looked like a put on job. I can't believed that they opened this movie on an aircraft carrier at Pearl Harbor with invited veterans of the attack. What a torture that must have been!! Funny thing about this movie was that nothing worked. Love story don't work, military history don't work and acting don't work. I think the movie insulted just about every one involved presently and all those who were there back in 1941."

WHY?...

GretschViking | Northeastern, USA | 07/02/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Why does Hollywood have to make a three hour movie about a terrible day in US history and turn it into 'As The World Turns'? I could not believe that I sat through this piece of junk. It was 2 1/2 hours of 'General Hospital' and 1/2 hour of reality. It's a shame that Hollywood feels that 99% of the films that come out today must contain some kind of soap opera setting to satisfy what they think the lady folks wish to see. I find that to be rather insulting to women and I am not a female. There is nothing romantic about December 7,1941. It gets 1 star for the actual attack sequence. I must mention that I highly doubt that while they flew over head, the Japanese pilots were signaling to the American children to take cover. Silliness. If you wish to see a great film on Pearl Harbor, seek out 'Tora! Tora! Tora!' and let this one rot."

Another attack on Pearl Harbor - well, on the movie

Madison Graves | Austin, TX USA | 06/05/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"In the opening of Michael Bay's "Pearl Harbor", we find two boyhood friends, Rafe Mcawley and Danny Walker, at a farm. We learn that Danny's father is a broken war veteran turned abusive father. Rafe assumes the role as an older brother towards Danny, loyally looking out for him. The audience is then jetted into the future, months before the historical, ill-fated attack on the actual Pearl Harbor, where Danny (played by Josh Hartnett) and Rafe (played by Ben Affleck) - still best buds, but much older - are training. They are both excellent, daredevil pilots; however they are very different.... However, the two are very nice to look at on screen!... Beckinsale and Affleck have no chemistry, and I, personally, did not care about their relationship... Surprisingly, Hartnett and Beckinsale played off each other very naturally and I found myself laughing a little and feeling touched. Harnett was very compelling on screen, more so than Affleck (the supposed star) but perhaps I'm just being wooed by his good looks! The film picks up, and Bay did an incredible job at depicting the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Doolittle brigade. The special effects are dazzling and they will blow you away! Jon Voight portrayed Franklin Roosevelt and he had his character down to a T! Cuba Gooding Jr. also gave a great performance as an actual cook aboard one of the ships during the attack. However, his story was overshadowed and deserved much more time and development. Alec Baldwin delivered a laughable performance as an actual general, Doolittle, who led men to revenge on the Japanese attack. Dan Ackroyd also made, I guess what you would call a cameo, and he was great!!! But again, he was barely in the movie. Although the relationship between Rafe and Danny was pretty captivating, the romance (even for me, a girl) bored me to death. Affleck did what he could with his unbelievable lines, but Hartnett was very believable, he made me cry! Beckinsale was nothing amazing, but she did surprise me towards the middle of the movie - her character becoming more realistic and heroic. The supporting roles (the other nurses and men, etc) are your classic personalities and they added little to the movieI hungered for character development, the politics of this time period and symbolism. Bay could not handle all the different levels that are vital to a movie. "Pearl Harbor" could have been a really amazing, great movie - but it lacked originality and patience. Bay was so anxious to tackle the action of the movie (which he did wonderfully), that he overlooked and hurriedly rushed through all the other GREAT stories! Also, "Pearl Harbor" is basically just a combination of other war movies... Although "Pearl Harbor" bombed in my opinion, the romantic bliss of the beginning does provide a clear contrast and foreshadowing of the horror to come. And, the film is very effective and I feel, although it is more Hollywood, than history, it did give justice to those who actually experienced the attack. This movie is no masterpiece, that's for sure, and it won't get an academy award - unless it wins for something like sound or effects - but I have to recommend it. It really is pretty thrilling and entertaining, and it does move you! Hans Zimmer's score will form a lump in your throat! "Pearl Harbor" is a crowd pleaser, and I doubt many adults and teens won't like it... certainly one to see at the theatre. But, as a critic, I can't fall for the charismatic Josh (even though he did a great job and this should be a step up in his career) and it just disappoints me that Bay directed this film. If Spielberg had done it, it would have probably been up for 'Best Picture' or something... it really could have been great... oh well. But, despite MY attack on "Pearl Harbor" - go see it - it's worth it. No matter what the critics say, you are probably planning to see it - or have already seen it, any way."