"Pearl Harbor" zips through clichés like a chainsaw ripping through a stack of Cliff's Notes.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:159
Fresh:41
Rotten:118
Average Rating:4.3/10
Consensus: Pearl Harbor tries to be the Titanic of war movies, but it's just a tedious romance filled with laughably bad dialogue. The 40 minute action sequence is spectacular though.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for sustained intense war sequences, images of wounded, brief sensuality and some language
Runtime: 3 hrs 3 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:May 25, 2001 Wide
Box Office: $197,761,540
Synopsis: Director Michael Bay (ARMAGEDDON, THE ROCK) uses a tragic romantic triangle to set the stage for the infamous Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in this epic tale of love, loss, and patriotism. When... Director Michael Bay (ARMAGEDDON, THE ROCK) uses a tragic romantic triangle to set the stage for the infamous Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in this epic tale of love, loss, and patriotism. When Evelyn (Kate Beckinsale), a beautiful Navy nurse, meets dashing ace Army fighter pilot Rafe (Ben Affleck), the two fall madly in love, only to be separated abruptly when he is called upon to help fight the war in Europe. Unforeseen circumstances lead Evelyn into the arms of Danny (Josh Hartnett), another fighter pilot and Rafe's best friend since childhood. In the meantime, the Japanese military is planning the surprise early morning raid on Hawaii that will pull the United States into World War II. Spectacular special effects vividly recreate the attack in devastating detail as bombs explode, torpedoes shoot through the water, and bullets fly, shaking tranquil Pearl Harbor to its core. Bay deftly captures the patriotism and the loss of innocence of the young men and women who were suddenly thrust into the war. Cuba Gooding, Jr., Jon Voight, Alec Baldwin and Mako also star in this tribute to both the fallen and the survivors of one of the most horrific tragedies ever to occur on American soil. [More]
Starring: Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding
Starring: Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding, Alec Baldwin, Jamie King, Jon Voight, Dan Aykroyd, Tom Sizemore, Catherine Kellner, Leland Orser, Michael Shannon, Andrew Bryniarski, Guy Torry, Matt Davis, Jennifer Garner, Jesse James, William Fichtner
Director: Michael Bay
Director: Michael Bay
Screenwriter: Randall Wallace
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
Get This Movie
Reviews for Pearl Harbor
May be the closest thing to a good movie Michael Bay will ever direct; unfortunately, it's still not very close to a good movie.
Shockingly, this saga is as aquare as they come: straight, earnest, and schmlatzy epic about the impact of WWII on two flyers in love with the same girl--a 1940s routine flick with special effects.
It's bad all right -- I was wincing at the overwritten dialogue within the first five minutes.
The film is not as painful as a blow to the head, but it will cost you up to $10, and it takes three hours.
[Michael] Bay didn't set out to make a film about Pearl Harbor. He set out to make a TITANIC clone that would go "Ka-ching" at the box office . . . Try TORA TORA TORA instead.
It's just a bit unfortunate that such an incredible, noble story, one which turned a nation around and galvanized a generation into action, should be told by such weak storytellers.
Bay's clunky and mammothly plodding Pearl Harbor is one movie that tries to do too many things at once without concentrating on any one specific point...the romance and action sequences are fussed over yet they deliver nothing really spectacular
I left with one thought: the bombers may have hit their targets, but this film misses the mark.
Ambitious, reverent and beautifully photographed though it is, Pearl Harbor ultimately is not equal to its aspirations.
Latest News for Pearl Harbor
July 02, 2007:
Critical Consensus: "Transformers" About As Much As Meets The Eye
"Transformers" comes out tomorrow with some major chips on its shoulders. The movie has to please both the hardcore and fair-weather fans, along the... More...
April 18, 2007:
Kate Beckinsale as "Barbarella"?
This word arrives by way of a British gossip column, so you know what to do with it, but here's the dirt: Kate Beckinsale is apparently being considered for the lead role in... More...
February 16, 2007:
Michael Bay Talks "Transformers" ... and "Bad Boys 3"?
With his "Transformers" movie about to move into a worldwide full-court press push, director Michael Bay sat down with MTV's Josh Horowitz to discuss his "robots... More...
June 30, 2006:
Teaser Bulletin: Transformers
If you have a few half-hours to spend waiting for the website to load, you just might find the first "Transformers" teaser over at the official movie site. Since my... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| 19% 19% | Transformers: Revenge … |
| 55% 55% | Orphan |
| 43% 43% | The Proposal |
| 26% 26% | Land of the Lost |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 88% 88% | Ballast |
| 67% 67% | The Merry Gentleman |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Pearl Harbor at Rotten Tomatoes
- Pearl Harbor at IGN
- Pearl Harbor at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Moviefone brings us 9 failed attempts at biographical films.

TIME reminisces on the 10 most iconic moments from the films of Cameron Crowe.

BuzzSugar wants to know which movies coming out this month you're most looking forward to.

The AV Club takes a look back at Hedwig and the Angry Inch.



Top Critic



