“Pearl Harbor” — Saying that “Pearl Harbor” features horrific war scenes, strong acting from an all-star cast and a bit of a history lesson is stating the obvious. However, the obvious can be quite powerful under the direction of Michael Bay, who adds little human touches throughout this epic film, the same tactic that made “Armageddon” more than just a dumb sci-fi flick. The love triangle involving pilots Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett and nurse Kate Beckinsale is the focus early on, causing the film to start slow. But it kicks into gear once the Japanese bombing raid begins, and it’s in fifth gear by the time the U.S.’s retaliatory Doolittle Raid wraps up the film. It clocks in at three hours but seems more like two. A-
— John Hansen, NDSU Spectrum, Aug. 28, 2001