If you're looking for a deep, moving historical epic, this isn't it. Pearl Harbor is a loud, shiny, and ultimately shallow attempt to turn a national tragedy into a Hollywood romance. It’s the kind of movie that is famous for being 'too much'—too long, too cheesy, and too focused on its own special effects.

That said, the actual attack sequence is undeniably impressive. If you have a kid who is obsessed with vintage planes or big explosions, there's value here, but you might want to keep the remote handy to skip through the endless, wooden dialogue of the first half.