Why does "Pearl Harbor" go on for another hour?

[Skywalker]

I just watched Pearl Harbor tonight for the first time since it came out in 2001 (I was curious to see how I'd like it after so long). While I never felt like it was an absolute, 100% suckfest, I still thought it was overall pretty disappointing. Though I do think the actual raid itself was mostly well-done.

Anyway, what was the point of having the Doolittle Raid afterward? It needlessly extended the film another hour when everything character-related that happened during that sequence could have happened during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Did the filmmakers think the audience would need a "boost" so they could go out on a high note, or something?

There's no reason why the movie needed to be three hours long. Even the first hour leading up to the initial attack could have done with a little trimming.

 

[FPAlpha]

Maybe they felt the US needed a payback scene where they exact "revenge" for Pearl Harbor.

Imagine Pearl Harbor in ruins AND the one guy dead all at the end of the movie.. no depressing movie endings for summer blockbusters.

This is all i'll about this "movie" or i'll rant on like a maniac

 

[Rii]

Did the filmmakers think the audience would need a "boost" so they could go out on a high note, or something?

Of course.

The film would've been much improved had the Arizona re-floated herself after being sunk, declaring that she had "not yet begun to fight" before flying to Japan and landing on Hiroshima. The impact would detonate the nuclear weapon stored in her hold, and the resulting explosion would resemble the American flag; closing towards the camera the stars of the flag would resolve themselves into white doves. A tear would be visible in the eye of the dove passing closest to the camera, and as it fell it would be tracked to land in the palm of an American mother grieving for her lost son. Respectful moment of silence, roll credits to thrash metal.

 

[Icemizer]

I only watch Tora, Tora, Tora.

 

[Trekker4747]

Did the filmmakers think the audience would need a "boost" so they could go out on a high note, or something?

Of course.

The film would've been much improved had the Arizona re-floated herself after being sunk, declaring that she had "not yet begun to fight" before flying to Japan and landing on Hiroshima. The impact would detonate the nuclear weapon stored in her hold, and the resulting explosion would resemble the American flag; closing towards the camera the stars of the flag would resolve themselves into white doves. A tear would be visible in the eye of the dove passing closest to the camera, and as it fell it would be tracked to land in the palm of an American mother grieving for her lost son. Respectful moment of silence, roll credits to thrash metal.

You've clearly seen the Michael Bay director's cut.

 

[Australis]

The Doolittle raid, while rel, was some years later.

In the movie I suppose it was the "America, Fuck Yeah!" moment.

 

[JustAFriend]

I only watch Tora, Tora, Tora.

Ditto. Go rent it...much better movie.

 

[Skywalker]

The Doolittle raid, while rel, was some years later.

No, the Doolittle Raid occurred in April 1942. At least the movie got that right.

 

[Nerdius Maximus]

I wondered the same thing when I saw it in the theater. It was ridiculous, like if they had expanded A New Hope by showing the rebels looking for a new base and going on some adventure unrelated to the rest of the story. I will say, though, that the raid scene was pretty cool. The love story, on the other hand, was completely ludicrous. That scene with them in the hangar with those sheets blowing around like an '80s music video....Ugh. I forget what exactly happens there. They think the guy died, she gets with his best friend, then gets back with the original guy, then goes back to the friend? I don't know. Don't answer this question.

 

[Star Wolf]

The Doolittle raid, while rel, was some years later.

No, the Doolittle Raid occurred in April 1942. At least the movie got that right.

The war may have started very, very badly but turned around very swiftly and violently in 19242.

 

[Mr Light]

I didn't mind the Doolittle Raid, I minded the 90 minutes of love triangle tripe. There was a good 90 minute war movie lurking around in there somewhere. I'd love to see a cut of the movie that just cuts out every single romantic scene and just has the war stuff.

 

[Trekker4747]

I didn't mind the Doolittle Raid, I minded the 90 minutes of love triangle tripe. There was a good 90 minute war movie lurking around in there somewhere. I'd love to see a cut of the movie that just cuts out every single romantic scene and just has the war stuff.

They were obviously trying to do a Titanic-like thing. The problem was we didn't care about PH's triangle characters as much as we cared about Jack and Kate in Titanic. PH's love story just came across as unenergetic, stupid and at times downright vapid. With a *far* better "love story" first hour set-up the rest of the movie's impact would've had a whole lot more weight.

As it is, I couldn't wait to see these characters die because they annoyed me so much.

 

[Mr Light]

I actually refused to see Titanic for ten years because I heard it was just a 3.5 hour love story. When I finally broke down and watched it, it wasn't nearly as terrible as I thought it would be. It didn't feel like it was 3 hours long and there was some cool action/disaster movie stuff at the end.

 

[clint g]

the problem with pearl harbor wasnt the Doolitle Raid. In fact, that was one of the better parts of the movie. The real issue was the fact that it had a shitty love story in the middle of my decently made war movie.

 

[Ethros]

I thought this film was terrible.

But I wouldn't be surprised if your average American loved it. They love their historically-inaccurate-and-America-wins-the-war-all-by-itself-and-let's-all-wank-over-the-flag movies

 

[TheMurph]

Meh, it wasn't a horrible movie if you take out the love story crap.

 

[Roshi]

The war may have started very, very badly but turned around very swiftly and violently in 19242.

Under the Atreides reign?

 

[Aragorn]

You know, Michael Bay is the director who, when discussing the possibility of making Phone Booth, wanted to move the entire plot OUTSIDE of the phone booth.

 

[DeVario]

<---- Average American

<---- Thought Pearl Harbor was crap. (Except for the attack sequence.)

 

[clint g]

I thought this film was terrible.

But I wouldn't be surprised if your average American loved it. They love their historically-inaccurate-and-America-wins-the-war-all-by-itself-and-let's-all-wank-over-the-flag movies

Yeah..I think you're wrong there.