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Matt Glasby

This is the latest instalment in our From the Vault feature series, in which we reflect on culturally significant movies celebrating notable anniversaries.
When Pearl Harbor was released 25 years ago this month, it became a byword for a certain kind of ultra-crass, ultra-commercial Hollywood filmmaking.
Critics sharpened their knives, the film stacked up six Golden Raspberry Award nominations, and Team America: World Police honoured it with a diss track featuring the lyrics: “I miss you more than Michael Bay missed the mark when he made Pearl Harbor / I miss you more than that movie missed the point and that’s an awful lot, girl.”
But viewed today, is Pearl Harbor really so unforgivably terrible?
While nobody is arguing for a Heaven’s Gate-style reassessment – it is still ultra-crass and ultra-commercial – with hindsight, it is easier to see why it became a worldwide box office hit, winning an Oscar for best sound editing.


Based on a script by Randall Wallace (Braveheart) and featuring a mixture of real and fictional characters, the film is set in the run-up to the 1941 Japanese attack that brought the US into World War II.
Pilots and best friends Rafe McCawley (Ben Affleck) and Danny Walker (Josh Hartnett) fall in love with the same woman, nurse Evelyn Johnson (Kate Beckinsale), but Pearl Harbor, its aftermath and the ensuing Doolittle Raid – a revenge mission to bomb Tokyo – change their lives forever.
No discussion of the film would be complete without acknowledging its flaws, which are glaring. It is deeply corny, featuring clunky dialogue, a mawkish, string-laden score, and the kind of storybook patriotism that makes your teeth ache.
“The idea was to make the kind of movie that could have been released in the 40s – unironic, slightly naive – with new technology,” Affleck told GQ. In which case, job done.

It also plays fast and loose with the facts. Affleck’s character is so ridiculously heroic that he fights on three continents – Europe, America and Asia – including in the Battle of Britain, which in reality finished a year before the main action starts.
“We tried to be accurate, but it’s certainly not meant to be a history lesson,” said producer Jerry Bruckheimer, quoted in The Journal of Military History.
As an attempt to ape Titanic – even down to using the same Mexican water tank facility – Pearl Harbor comes off poorly. Director Michael Bay is no James Cameron, and trying to copy what was then the most successful film of all time feels both mercenary and unwise.
But by following such a tried-and-tested formula – essentially Titanic meets Top Gun – Pearl Harbor works better than it gets credit for. Sure, the Affleck-Hartnett-Beckinsale love triangle is cheesy, but they are good actors and make us care about what happens to their characters.

The wider cast is extraordinary, featuring award winners such as Alec Baldwin, Michael Shannon, Cuba Gooding Jr and Jon Voight, as well as then up-and-comers like Jennifer Garner, Ewen Bremner and Pat Healy. Asian stars Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa and Mako appear in cutaway sequences of the Japanese forces preparing for war.
The early scenes showing the pilots and nurses partying together are charming, adding dramatic weight to what follows.
When the 40-minute Pearl Harbor attack finally happens, it doesn’t disappoint. Amid the carnage are some show-stopping bomb’s-eye-view shots, claustrophobic scenes of ships sinking and dragging helpless crew members down with them, and all kinds of daring aerial and underwater stunts.
“Jerry Bruckheimer showed Ridley Scott the movie, and the quote [from Scott] was, ‘F*** me!’” Bay told Empire. “We had so much big stuff out there. Real boats, 20 real planes. We had 350 events going off. Three months of rigging on seven boats, stopping a freeway that’s three miles away.”

In 2015, when Spectre was awarded a Guinness World Record for a particularly impressive pyrotechnic scene, Bay protested: “James Bond tried to take the largest explosion in the world. Bulls***. Ours is.”
In all probability, Bay’s slightly obnoxious maximalism explains part of the film’s appeal, and why it received such a critical mauling. As Roger Ebert noted, “Pearl Harbor is a two-hour movie squeezed into three hours.”
But for two hours at least, it plays the clichés pretty effectively – certainly no worse than the likes of Top Gun, which seems to have undergone a generous re-evaluation among Gen X viewers.
In the words of James Cameron himself: “He [Bay] loves what I call ‘the big train set’, huge physical production, just as I do. It is the most challenging type of filmmaking, and he does it gorgeously.”

Audiences agreed, with Pearl Harbor making nearly US$450 million worldwide. It even did well in Japan, earning US$7.2 million on its opening weekend – the sixth highest of all time in Japan then – so it must have been doing something right.
Perhaps, as Project Hail Mary recently showed, audiences just want to see large-scale, original blockbusters on the big screen.
If you can stomach three hours of God-Bless-America flag-waving in the current climate, maybe it is due a – cautious – second look.
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American cinema

Why Michael Bay’s much derided Pearl Harbor deserves a second look on its 25th anniversary

Ben Affleck in a still from Pearl Harbor (2001). Directed by Michael Bay and co-starring Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale, the film made US$450 million at the worldwide box office. Photo: AP

A scene from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in the film. Photo: Reuters

(From left) Paul Francis, Josh Hartnett, Ewen Bremner, Ben Affleck, Michael Shannon, Alec Baldwin and Greg Zola in a scene from Pearl Harbor. Photo: Reuters

Pearl Harbor producer Jerry Bruckheimer (left) and director/producer Michael Bay are pictured on location during the filming of the movie. Photo: Reuters

A scene from Pearl Harbor. Photo: Reuters

Why Bridget Jones’s Diary feels so dated 25 years after the beloved romcom’s release

Renée Zellweger (left) and Colin Firth in a still from Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), which turns 25 this month. Photo: Working Title Films

Renee Zellweger in a still from Bridget Jones’s Diary. Photo: Working Title Films

Zellweger and Hugh Grant in a still from Bridget Jones’s Diary. Photo: Working Title Films

Colin Firth in a still from Bridget Jones’s Diary. Photo: Working Title Films

Zellweger and Grant in a still from Bridget Jones’s Diary. Photo: Working Title Films

Why anarchist thriller V for Vendetta is as relevant as ever 20 years after its release

Hugo Weaving in a still from V for Vendetta (2005). Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Natalie Portman in a still from V for Vendetta (2006), which celebrates 20 years since its release this month. Photo: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc

Hugo Weaving in a still from V for Vendetta. Photo: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc

Natalie Portman in a still from V for Vendetta. Photo: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc

John Hurt (centre) in a still from V for Vendetta. Photo: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc

Portman (left) and Weaving in a still from V for Vendetta. Photo: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc

How Taxi Driver’s Travis Bickle is still terrifyingly relevant 50 years on

Robert De Niro in a scene in Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver. We take a deep dive into the film’s cultural impact, De Niro’s role, and its chilling relevance today. Photo: Columbia/TriStar

Harvey Keitel (left) and Robert De Niro in a scene from Taxi Driver. Photo: Getty Images

Robert De Niro in a scene in Taxi Driver. Photo: Getty Images

Jodie Foster and Robert De Niro in a scene from Taxi Driver. Photo: Getty Images

Why From Dusk Till Dawn has aged poorly as the vampire movie with George Clooney turns 30

(From left) Quentin Tarantino, Salma Hayek and George Clooney in a still from From Dusk Till Dawn. While the 1996 vampire movie remains a cult favourite among certain viewers, it contains problematic elements that do not hold up well.

George Clooney and Aimee Graham in a still from From Dusk Till Dawn.

Juliette Lewis and Quentin Tarantino in a still from From Dusk Till Dawn.

Salma Hayek in a still from From Dusk Till Dawn.

Michael B. Jordan in a still from Sinners (2025). Photo: Warner Bros.

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From the Vault: culturally significant films

How Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave made a statement by not giving viewers ‘the chance to look away’ upon its release 10 years ago

Chiwetel Ejiofor in a still from “12 Years a Slave”. Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning film – which turns 10 in January 2024 – about a man sold into slavery, gave an unflinching portrayal of African-American suffering to make a political statement. Photo: Francois Duhamel

McQueen on set during the making of “12 Years as a Slave”. Photo: courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

McQueen and Brad Pitt with their Oscars for best picture for “12 Years a Slave” at the 2014 Academy Awards. Photo: Reuters

McQueen (centre) with producers (from left) Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Anthony Katagas and Brad Pitt with their awards for best film for “12 Years a Slave” at the 2014 Baftas. Photo: AFP

Benedict Cumberbatch and Chiwetel Ejiofor in a still from “12 Years a Slave”. 

Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender in a still from “12 Years a Slave”. Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Benedict Cumberbatch in a still from “12 Years a Slave”.

McQueen at the 2014 Baftas. Photo: Reuters

The Butterfly Effect at 20: how Ashton Kutcher-led 2004 film filled a void left by decent Hollywood horror movies

Calling it a masterpiece might be a stretch but the 2004 time-travel thriller The Butterfly Effect – despite its chaotic plotline – filled a void left by a dearth of quality horror films. Above: Ashton Kutcher in a still from the film. Photo: New Line Cinema.

Amy Smart as Kayleigh (left) and Ashton Kutcher as Evan Treborn in a still from The Butterfly Effect. Photo: New Line Cinema

Logan Lerman plays the young Evan Treborn in a still from The Butterfly Effect. Photo: New Line Cinema

From left: Matthew F. Leonetti, J Mackye Gruber and Eric Bress on the set of The Butterfly Effect. Photo: New Line Cinema

Kutcher (left) and Melora Walters as Evan Treborn’s mother in a still from The Butterfly Effect. Photo: New Line Cinema

In 2004’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet twist the way memories work

Jim Carrey (left) and Kate Winslet in a still from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in a still from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. This flawed but fascinating film puts a deliciously surreal twist on love.

Kate Winslet as Clementine and Jim Carrey as Joel in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Jim Carrey as Joel in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Elijah Wood (left) and Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Jim Carrey as Joel and Kate Winslet as Clementine in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Carrey was recovering from the break-up of a relationship when he made the film.

Shaun of the Dead at 20: how Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright’s zombie comedy prefigured today’s infantilised pop culture

Simon Pegg (front) in a still from Shaun of the Dead. Photo: Rogue Pictures

Simon Pegg (left) as Shaun and Nick Frost as Ed in a still from Shaun of the Dead. The 2005 “Britpop film” spawned a new genre, the romantic zombie comedy, or rom-zom-com. Photo: Rogue Pictures

(From left) Dylan Moran, Kate Ashfield, Simon Pegg and Lucy Davis in a still from Shaun of the Dead. Photo: Rogue Pictures.

Director Edgar Wright (left) and Mark Donovan on the set of Shaun of the Dead. Photo: Rogue Pictures.

Nick Frost (left) and Simon Pegg in a still from Shaun of the Dead. Photo: Rogue Pictures.

Kate Ashfield (front) and Simon Pegg in a still from Shaun of the Dead. Photo: Rogue Pictures.

The Babadook at 10: supernatural horror film Stephen King called ‘deeply disturbing’ is unafraid to tackle a taboo

Essie Davis (top) as Amelia and Noah Wiseman as Samuel in a still from The Babadook (2014).



Essie Davis (left) as Amelia and Noah Wiseman as Samuel in a still from The Babadook (2014), a horror film that poses questions no one dare ask.



Essie Davis as Amelia Vanek in a still from The Babadook (2014).

Noah Wiseman (left) as Samuel and Essie Davis as Amelia in a still from The Babadook (2014).

Noah Wiseman as Samuel in a still from The Babadook (2014).

Essie Davis (top) as Amelia and Noah Wiseman as Samuel in a still from The Babadook (2014).

The Notebook at 20: how Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams shot to stardom in 2004 romance

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in a still from The Notebook. Ironically for a romance, they had to overcome a mutual dislike. Equally ironic, they fell in love after making the 2004 romance, which shot both of them to stardom. Photo: New Line Cinema

James Garner (left) and Gena Rowlands in a still from The Notebook. Photo: New Line Cinema.

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in a still from The Notebook. Photo: New Line Cinema.

Director Nick Cassavetes (left) and Gena Rowlands on the set of The Notebook. Photo: New Line Cinema.

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in a still from The Notebook. Photo: New Line Cinema

The Village at 20 finds the bleak, daring M. Night Shyamalan thriller has aged well

Bryce Dallas Howard in a still from M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village (2004), which remains one of his very best films. Photo: Touchstone Pictures

Adrien Brody in a still from The Village (2004). Photo: Touchstone Pictures

Director M. Night Shyamalan (left) and William Hurt on the set of The Village. Photo: Touchstone Pictures

Joaquin Phoenix in a still from The Village (2004). Photo: Touchstone Pictures.

Bryce Dallas Howard in a still from The Village (2004). Photo: Touchstone Pictures

1 of the most controversial films ever, Natural Born Killers at 30 still shocks the senses

Woody Harrelson in a still from Natural Born Killers (1994). Photo: Warner Bros.

Woody Harrelson (left) and Juliette Lewis in a still from Natural Born Killers. The 1994 movie remains the most provocative film of Oliver Stone’s career and one of the most controversial movies ever. Photo: Warner Bros

Robert Downey Jnr (left) and Woody Harrelson in a still from Natural Born Killers. Photo: Warner Bros

Tom Sizemore and Juliette Lewis in a still from Natural Born Killers. Photo: Warner Bros

Woody Harrelson in a still from Natural Born Killers. Photo: Warner Bros

A still from Natural Born Killers. Photo: Warner Bros

Why The Shawshank Redemption might still be the greatest movie ever made, 30 years on

Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in a still from The Shawshank Redemption (1994). Frank Darabont’s prison drama did not win an Oscar, but in the 30 years since its release it has been hailed as one of the greatest films of all time. Photo: Courtesy of Park Circus/Warner Bros

Robbins and Freeman in a still from The Shawshank Redemption. 

(From left) Dion Anderson, Brian Delate and Clancy Brown in a still from The Shawshank Redemption.

(From left) Freeman, Gil Bellows and Brian Libby in a still from The Shawshank Redemption.

Robbins in a still from The Shawshank Redemption.

Team America: World Police at 20 and how it is a pitch-perfect send-up of action movies

A still from Team America: World Police (2004). The film, written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Pam Brady, has a voice cast that includes Kristen Miller, Masasa Yoyo, Daran Norris and Maurice LaMarche. Photo: Paramount Pictures

Michael Moore is portrayed in a scene from Team America: World Police (2004). Photo: Paramount Pictures

A still from Team America: World Police (2004). Photo: Paramount Pictures

Kim Jong-il is portrayed in a scene from Team America: World Police (2004). Photo: Paramount Pictures

How A Nightmare on Elm Street left audiences terrified 40 years ago

Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger in a still from A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984).

Amanda Wyss (front) and Robert Englund in a still from Wes Craven’s classic slasher film, A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). 

(From left) Jsu Garcia, Amanda Wyss, director Wes Craven, Heather Langenkamp and Johnny Depp on the set of A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Heather Langenkamp (left) and Robert Englund in a still from A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). 

Johnny Depp in a still from A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). 

Heather Langenkamp in a still from A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). 

The best movie sequel ever? Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part II, 50 years on

Al Pacino in a still from The Godfather Part II, the 1974 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the film remains a masterpiece that delves deeper into a mafia family’s history.

Robert De Niro as a young Vito Corleone in a still from The Godfather Part II.

John Cazale (left) and Al Pacino in a still from The Godfather Part II.

Robert De Niro in a still from The Godfather Part II.

Al Pacino in a still from The Godfather Part II.

As Before Sunrise turns 30, how Richard Linklater’s movie captures young and free spirit

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in a still from Before Sunrise, directed by Richard Linklater, which turns 30 in January 2025. 

Ethan Hawke in a still from Before Sunrise.

(From left) Julie Delpy, director Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke in a still from Before Sunrise.

Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke in a still from Before Sunrise.

Why Keanu Reeves’ fantasy horror movie Constantine, 20 this month, deserves another look

Keanu Reeves (left) and Tilda Swinton in a still from Constantine. Photo: David James/Warner Brothers

Keanu Reeves in a still from Constantine (2005), the fantasy horror film that has become something of a cult classic. Photo: David James/Warner Brothers

Keanu Reeves and Tilda Swinton in a still from Constantine. Photo: David James/Warner Brothers

Rachel Weisz in a still from Constantine. Photo: David James/Warner Brothers

(From left) Keanu Reeves, Djimon Hounsou and Shia LaBeouf in a still from Constantine. Photo: David James/Warner Brothers

Gavin Rossdale (left) and Keanu Reeves in a still from Constantine. Photo: David James/Warner Brothers

As Tank Girl movie turns 30, why comic-book adaptation with Naomi Watts, Iggy Pop tanked

Lori Petty in the title role in 1995 film Tank Girl. Co-starring Ice-T, Iggy Pop and Naomi Watts and filmed on a US$25 million budget, it made only US$4 million upon its release. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

Malcolm McDowell as the villain Kesslee in a still from Tank Girl. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Jeff Kober as a Ripper and Lori Petty as Tank Girl in a still from Tank Girl. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

Lori Petty (left) and Naomi Watts as Jet Girl in a still from Tank Girl. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

A still from Tank Girl. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Why Sin City was such a landmark movie, a neo-noir hit that still resonates 20 years on

Jessica Alba (left) and Nick Stahl in a still from Sin City.

Bruce Willis in a still from Sin City. Directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller,  it was one of a clutch of movies shot completely on a “digital backlot”.

Clive Owen (left) and Rosario Dawson in a still from Sin City.

Brittany Murphy in a still from Sin City.

Michael Madsen (left) and Bruce Willis in a still from Sin City. Photo: AFP

Why Denzel Washington vs Gene Hackman thriller Crimson Tide remains relevant 30 years on

Denzel Washington (left) and Gene Hackman in a still from Crimson Tide. Photo: Online

Gene Hackman (left) as the captain of a submarine armed with nuclear missiles and Denzel Washington (centre) as his executive officer in a still from Crimson Tide, the 1995 film directed by Tony Scott. Photo: Online

Gene Hackman as Captain Frank Ramsey in a still from Crimson Tide. Photo: Online

Denzel Washington as Lieutenant Commander Ron Hunter (left) and Gene Hackman as Captain Frank Ramsey in a still from Crimson Tide. Photo: Online

How 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back set Star Wars on the way to becoming phenom it is today

David Prowse as Darth Vader in a still from The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Photo: Lucasfilm

David Prowse and Mark Hamill in a still from The Empire Strikes Back. The 1980 film set Star Wars on track to becoming an enduring cultural phenomenon. Photo: Lucasfilm


Mark Hamill in a still from The Empire Strikes Back. Photo: courtesy of George Lucas Studios

A scene inside the Millennium Falcon in The Empire Strikes Back. Photo: Lucasfilm

Mark Hamill in a still from The Empire Strikes Back. Though ultimately a success, George Lucas said the second film in the original Star Wars trilogy “wasn’t the most fun” to make. Photo: courtesy of George Lucas Studios

Darth Vader in the scene in The Empire Strikes Back where he delivers his famous line. Photo: Lucasfilm

How Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins rewrote the superhero movie rule book 20 years ago

Christian Bale in a still from Batman Begins (2005). Photo: Warner Bros Ent

(From left) Christian Bale, Jack Gleeson and Katie Holmes in a still from Batman Begins (2005), directed by Christopher Nolan. Photo: Warner Bros Ent

Liam Neeson (left) and Christian Bale in a still from Batman Begins (2005). Photo: Warner Bros Ent

(From left) Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale and Ken Watanabe on the set of Batman Begins. Photo: Warner Bros Ent

Christian Bale (left) and Morgan Freeman in a still from Batman Begins. Photo: Warner Bros Ent

Christian Bale (left) and Michael Caine in a still from Batman Begins. Photo: Warner Bros Ent

Gary Oldman (left) and Christian Bale in a still from Batman Begins. Photo: Warner Bros Ent

What went wrong with Waterworld, Kevin Costner’s big-budget flop, released 30 years ago?

Kevin Costner in a still from Waterworld. The actor and his director Kevin Reynolds clashed so much during the making of the movie that the latter resigned before it was released. Photo: Park Circus/Universal

Jeanne Tripplehorn (front) in a still from Waterworld. Photo: Park Circus/Universal

Dennis Hopper in a still from Waterworld. Photo: Park Circus/Universal

Kevin Costner (left) and Gerard Murphy in a still from Waterworld. Photo: Park Circus/Universal

Jeanne Tripplehorn in a still from Waterworld. Photo: Park Circus/Universal

The enduring legacy of Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man, documentary released 20 years ago

Timothy Treadwell in a still from Grizzly Man, Werner Herzog’s documentary about an eccentric conservationist who was eaten alive in the Alaskan wilderness.

Werner Herzog in an interview with the Post in 2018. Photo: Edmond So

A still from Grizzly Man.

Treadwell in a still from Grizzly Man.

How David Fincher’s serial killer film Seven is still influential 30 years on

Brad Pitt in a still from Seven. Photo: Warner Bros Entertainment

Morgan Freeman (left) and Brad Pitt in a still from Seven (1995). Photo: Warner Bros Entertainment

Morgan Freeman in a still from Seven. Photo: Warner Bros Entertainment

(From left) Gwyneth Paltrow, Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman in a still from Seven. Photo: Warner Bros Entertainment

(From left) Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey and Morgan Freeman in a still from Seven. Photo: Warner Bros Entertainment

Why Kathryn Bigelow’s Strange Days, released 30 years ago, was way ahead of its time

Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett in a still from Strange Days. Kathryn Bigelow’s flawed thriller gave a powerful portrait of Los Angeles on the brink of implosion, and prophetic warnings about the expansion of the internet, when it was released in 1995.

Why Michael Bay’s much derided Pearl Harbor deserves a second look on its 25th anniversary

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Pearl Harbor was widely panned upon release in 2001 but with its strong cast and characters and explosive action, is it worth reassessing?

Pearl Harbor was widely panned upon release in 2001 but with its strong cast and characters and explosive action, is it worth reassessing?