Anthony Hopkins Isn't a Fan of This $450M War Movie: "It's Not My Cup of Tea"
Thanks to one epic scene, the film has become a pop culture staple, proving that even the most controversial project can contain a moment of genuine cinematic mastery.
Anthony Hopkins has never been shy about sharing his opinions on contemporary cinema, even when they differ from conventional tastes.
Known for his integrity and dislike of Hollywood pomp, he detests awards ceremonies. Hopkins is particularly irritated by the visual experiments of directors that permeated blockbusters in the 1990s.
Anthony Hopkins Calls 'Pearl Harbor' "Mindless Gobbledygook"
One of the leading exponents of this style is Michael Bay, with whom Hopkins has worked but whose methods he disapproves of.
Hopkins was particularly critical of Bay's historical drama Pearl Harbor. When asked about Bay's signature style, which includes dynamic editing, endless tracking shots, and spectacular yet often over-the-top visual effects, the actor stated:
“You know, you follow the bomb down to the deck of the ship in Pearl Harbor, but these things, they've got nothing to do with anything. It's all mindless gobbledygook.
It's entertaining, but it's not my cup of tea, maybe it's for a youthful audience. The video directors, they're all good, I guess. But they tend to be real control freaks.”
What Is 'Pearl Harbor' About?
Pearl Harbor is set against the backdrop of true historical events from 1941. It centers on the fates of two inseparable friends, pilots Rafe and Danny, and a nurse named Evelyn.
Rafe and Evelyn fall in love, but war separates them. Rafe is sent to Europe while Danny and Evelyn end up at Pearl Harbor. After receiving news of Rafe's death, Evelyn finds solace in Danny's arms.
The dramatic peak of their love triangle occurs on the eve of December 7, 1941, when the Japanese suddenly and devastatingly attack the American fleet.
While 'Pearl Harbor' Is Indeed Controversial, This One Action Scene Was Really Impressive
Critics unanimously panned Pearl Harbor for its melodrama, historical inaccuracies, and excessive pathos, reducing the tragedy to the backdrop of a soap opera.
However, even the harshest reviewers acknowledged the technical triumph of the 40-minute base attack scene. Michael Bay, a megalomaniacal battle master, poured his entire budget and all his skill into this sequence.
Standing out from the movie's overall tone, the scene is characterized by relentless intensity and kinetic energy, clearly demonstrating why Bay became the king of Hollywood action.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Pearl Harbor'?
-
Pearl Harbor has 24% from critics and 66% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
-
On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.3/10.
-
On Letterboxd, Pearl Harbor scored 2.9/5.0.
Where to Watch 'Pearl Harbor'?
Pearl Harbor is available to stream on Disney+.
