Armageddon Review
by James Brundage (brundage AT alltel DOT net)January 8th, 1999
*Armageddon*
Directed by Michael Bay
Starring: Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Steve Buscemi, Liv Tyler, Billy Bob Thorton
As Reviewed by James Brundage
The last time we saw Bruce Willis in front of the camera riding the binge trend of apocalypse movies was in 1995, with the bizarre, twisted Terry Gilliam saga of a virus and a time travel paradox "12 Monkeys". Having just finished it as I type these words, I think back with longing to better, more original apocalypse films, where the disasters were not simply aliens or rocks in the sky, as happens in this movie. However, perhaps Bruce is the good luck charm both to apocalypse drama AND summer action films, having worked wonders in a tricky role with "12 Monkeys" and, in my mind, bringing a much better light onto this summers finest action film. Not to say that any day of the week I'd rather rent 12 Monkeys than this, or watch "The Rock" (the last GOOD action flick that Jerry Bruckheimer came out with). Deep Impact had the drama, but got an F on the action and the comedy. And, let's be honest, not many people actually GO to the movie for the drama. It's really all how on the edge of the seat you are.
In Armageddon, director Michael Bay (The Rock), takes us on a thrill ride that, in this summer (with a SERIOUS dearth of films where we can just go out there and enjoy watching it), is actually fun. I'll be the first to admit its brainlessness, but I'll also be the first in line for its quirky humor (who other than Jerry Bruckheimer would cast Steve Buscemi as a serial rapist in one movie (Con Air), and a twisted genius with a sense of humor in the next (Quote: The Rubix Cube, easy. All of its easy… I've got a double-doctorate from MIT at 22, you know why I do this job: cause they let me work with explosives).), its fine thrills (both on and off the ground), and its cute but fun characters you can't help like.
Most people try too much in the apocalypse film. Looking back (and I've seen just about every apocalypse film this decade, and most of them from the last one), I find only one or two that I liked all around. So few contain JUST the right amount of drama, JUST the right amount of action, and JUST the right amount of humor to create a film truly worth seeing.
Three come to mind, Gilliam's "12 Monkeys", Sonnenfield's "Men in Black" (besides it being too short, it WAS a good film), and "Armageddon". No matter what your summer priority is, see this one.
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