This is a brutally honest movie. The attack on Pearl harbor is brilliant, exciting, and devastating. Everything else in the movie is... pointless. Perhaps it's good to get to know the characters, but would have the movie been any less intense during the Pearl Harbor scene if we didn't know the central characters? Probably not. In fact, they should have focused much more on Cuba Gooding Jr. on the ship than the lame love story between Affleck and Beckinsale. Is anyone with me on this? I don't mean to bash any actor's abilities (because they played their parts great), but I believe it would have been more intense with Gooding Jr. at the center of attention. Parents: Please note that this is an extremely intense and violent movie, especially during the Harbor attack. In fact, I believe this should have been rated R. There is some love-making and plenty of language. Plus, some drinking is seen. What I would have rated it: R for Intese Prolonged Realistically Graphic War Sequences, Disturbing Images, and Language. Bottom Line: This is a great movie that could have done without a couple of scenes. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man