“The End of All Things”
Armageddon, an action-packed film directed by Michael Bay, has a special power that keeps its viewers on the edge of their seats all 151 minutes of the fascinating film. From the director of many well-known movies including Pearl Harbor, The Purge, and Transformers, you know that Armageddon will be nothing short of intense, captivating, and one of those movies you just have to watch again — not only because it is an amazing film and Bruce Willis is the main character, but also because if you happen to miss something, the film may get a little bit confusing (if you’re like me and get distracted easily,) kind of like Pearl Harbor. The feel of the two movies is similar — a lot of action going on, and if you blink (or get up for a snack) you miss it.
The film begins by showing us that an asteroid the size of Texas is headed towards earth (in 18 days to be exact.) No matter where the asteroid hits, it will cause total destruction — the end of mankind. Not even bacteria will survive. The title fits perfectly, because the word “Armageddon” means “the end of all things.” If that isn’t an attention grabber, I don’t know what is. NASA is trying to do everything they can (without starting a crisis, of course.) Naturally, they think to call up Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis), an oil driller, to take his misfit men up to space and drill a hole to blow up the asteroid from inside of it. The fate of mankind is left up to men who know virtually nothing about space, but everything about drilling.
From the start, Bruce Willis emits his intimidating, tough guy persona. Personally, I think his acting is astounding in this film. He starts out rock solid, but as the film progresses, he lets out his emotional side and transforms as a character perfectly. It seems like he really connects with his character somehow, which is hard to wrap my head around because the fate of the world has probably never been put into the hands of Bruce Willis. I’d give the acting a 9/10, because in some parts I found it a little patchy/overdramatic, but still very well done.
Armageddon reminds me a little bit of Apollo 13 (mostly just because they’re both based in space, but also because they both make you wonder if something bad will happen the whole time.) Both movies have the same feel to them, but Armageddon has a little bit of romance which adds to the plot. Not to mention, an attractive Ben Affleck playing one of the main character’s isn’t a terrible edition to the film. If you enjoy a suspenseful space film like me, Armageddon is a must see.
A fun fact about Armageddon is that Aerosmith actually wrote one of their most popular songs for the movie called “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” So, if you’ve always wanted to see where the captivating song originated, Armageddon is the answer you’ve been searching for. Apollo 13’s “Houston, we have a probem” is to Armageddon’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” Personally, I think the song is a touching and powerful aspect to the movie. The words fit into the film perfectly, and the instrumental aspect has the perfect beat.
Technology has advanced drastically since 1998, so try to keep that in mind when you see the somewhat fake looking asteroid floating through the sky, and the men up in “space”. Considering the time, I think the technology and videography of the film is pretty well done. Overall, I would give the film a 7/10, because as much as I hate to put the movie down, the script could be better, the technology is getting dated, and the movie does get a little bit long — but still very attention grabbing.
