Hey folks, Harry here with a look at PEARL HARBOR from a one-time spy named Spyder. His previous scoop was a Disney film called INSPECTOR GADGET, which he thought was pretty much a waste... So before you go labelling this guy a shill, he's taken a dump on the mouse house once, and wouldn't be afraid to do it again. Here he is with a look at an unknown draft of PEARL HARBOR (though he claims it's a draft from this year)... Here ya go...
To Mr. and Mrs. Geek and all the Geeks at sea...
Spinning around my little web, I stumbled upon a draft of "Pearl Harbor" (AKA "Tennessee"), the latest $135M wallet-buster currently in the works of Disney, with Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer at the helm. My particular edition lacked a traditional title page, so I can't swear what draft this is but I'm sure it's pretty recent (like probably this year -- I don't have it in front of me).
Some of you may have read the recent Variety article about how Disney has come up with the tactic of asking pretty much everyone involved with the production to take a deferrment on their salaries for the project, in an effort to make this massive effort happen. Given what I read in this script, I think I can understand why. If this happens the way it comes across on the page, this may well out do the spectacle of "Saving Private Ryan." I'm sure that's part of why it's being made. Instead of the taking of the beaches of Normandy, you'll get to see what will no doubt be a most memorable retelling of the events of December 7, 1941. It's one thing to hear about those events in a history class, or see the old black and white films. I think it will be the same sort of alarming shock to see it played out in the hands of modern FX shops. In all fairness, though, given what the U.S. survived that day, I think it's a story worth telling.
Without getting into details: The plot of the script involves two friends, Rafe and Danny, who grow up together in Tennessee, then end up getting involved with the same girl (Evelyn) through the events of the Second World War, set against the disaster of Pearl Harbor and the ensuing Doolittle Raid.
(I don't really blow any plot by mentioning that, it's in the history books. I had to look it up, though, I didn't know about it before reading the script -- your education tax dollars at work)
Please pardon the randomness of my review, I haven't written in about a script before.
Overall, I liked what I read. The script is pretty solidly written, from the keyboard of Randall Wallace ("Braveheart"). Pretty typical three act structure, so it should be easy to follow.
The first act sets up the relationship between the two boys, and how the arrival of the War pulls them, and the girl, apart from each other. The second act is pretty much all about the disaster of Pearl Harbor (why it happened, what the mistakes were, the consequences of them). Third act is the Doolittle Raid, and how our boys fit in with it. I don't want to give away the ending.
There are a couple of lines which felt a little too "Hollywood" (i.e. contrived for a "moment") for the two leads. However, in the context of the chaos, blood, and fire of one of the most infamous days in U.S. military history, it actually kind of works. By the time you witness the horror of the initial attack of the Japanese forces, you really want some of America's sons to get up there in a P-40 and kick some ass.
At this point I should mention the Japanese forces. They were very smart in how they handle the potential pit-fall of lame stereotypes. The main commander of the Japanese attack is Yamamoto, a Western educated Japanese officer. Though he loyally serves the Empire of Japan, he does not take the task of attacking the United States lightly. He becomes the only real voice of reason when it comes to drawing up the plans, and what the nature of this surprise attack must be to succeed without ruining their own chances to fight the rest of the war. I think my only real complaint about his character is that I don't recall any follow-up with him after the attack on Pearl Harbor is over. He basically turns the fleet around, and that's all you see of him. Not a real problem for the main plot, but they made this guy an empathetic character; I'd like a little follow-up.
Seems there's some tuggin on the web, and I must be off... sorry to cut it short.
The short review: sounds like this film ought to be worth the effort. I don't think they really HAVE to spend that much money, but if it is all up on the screen we're in for a truly memorable/epic experience.
Back into the web,
A Spyder
