Pearl Harbor MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +4 Content: -2

The son of a 1920s flying cropduster, Rafe McCawley (Ben Affleck) dreams of being a military pilot. With his best friend Danny Walker (Josh Hartnett), the farm boys become crack pilots in the Army Air Corps of the 1940s. When poor grammar scores and a slight dyslexia threaten his flying career, Rafe talks nurse Evelyn Johnson (Kate Beckinsale), into approving his medical chart. But he also talks Evelyn into a date. Although they fall deeply in love, Rafe is headed for England to help the Royal Air Force defend London against German bombers, while Evelyn and Danny are shipped to Hawaii. When Evelyn hears Rafes plane was shot down, her heartache is shared by Danny and as time passes, the two find mutual attraction. But Rafe survives the crash and returns several months later, creating an awkward, emotional triangle. But the romantic tangle takes back seat as a Japanese invasion force cripples the Pacific naval fleet with a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. After surviving the massive assault at Pearl, the two pilots are picked by Air Corps Colonel Doolittle (Alec Baldwin), as part of his secret mission to bomb Tokyo. Neither may come back alive to Evelyn. Cuba Gooding, Jr. portrays Dorie Miller, the first black man to receive the Navy Cross medal for heroism for his actions at Pearl, and Jon Voight takes on the role of a determined and decisive President Roosevelt. An inspiring and patriotic production, PEARL HARBOR captures audiences attention, despite its three-hour length.

Despite the massive explosions and war casualties, the violent scenes refrain from gory depiction. However, a few serious burn victims are seen and blood spurts from one patient’s neck wound. A priest giving last rites tells a dying patient to hold on to faith in God. To his credit, Rafe abstains from a sexual encounter with Evelyn, choosing instead to wait. But another scene implies premarital sex occurs and the event creates realistic emotional distress as well as a pregnancy. Unfortunately, the dialogue includes God’s name used in vain numerous times along with several obscenities. In fact, one advisor reportedly left the production, objecting to the amount of foul language. Sadly, modern retelling of this historical event features frequent strong profanity which seriously detracts from the heroism and fascination of PEARL HARBOR.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Touchstone Pictures (Disney), 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521