Armageddon

Armageddon has become a true action cult film over the past twenty years, which, while sometimes coming off as genuinely silly and poorly thought out today, is still a product of its '90s atmosphere and an excellent ensemble cast—an irresistible combo. Michael Bay is a director who has clearly split his audience into two camps. I must agree that his films suffer from excess and sometimes comically delivered dialogue, but their epic and bombastic nature usually manages to overshadow these flaws. For its time, the special effects are impressive, and I still had a great experience with it, so I understand how revolutionary it must have felt in movie theaters in 1998. Adding to that the brilliantly cast Bruce Willis, even if he sometimes overacts, makes it a no-brainer. As mentioned, don’t think too much about the plot; don't try to apply physical formulas or knowledge to the film, as that would clearly lead to a definite disappointment. However, I don't think that way, and I enjoyed the film despite its shortcomings, and the soundtrack also stood out. I give it 70%. (08/29/2019)

Clichés, clichés and then some more clichés. Add to that a hearty dose of patriotism and boredom, and the result is Armageddon. I don't want to be biased and so: the introduction with meteorites is decent, the training on the NASA base has flair and wit. The rest, on the other hand, is what I say above. (05/11/2003)

Camera orgies reaching indescribable dimensions, one of the best soundtracks ever created for a film, captivating action, beautiful Bruckheimer-like filters, sharply contoured image composition and perhaps the most exquisite coloring I have ever seen, excellent dynamic direction, romantic scenes alternating with the most action-packed ones, with at least every other shot carrying an emotional charge that doesn’t leave a moment to catch your breath, great voiceovers, and Bay’s stylish and indispensable low-angle. Bruce Willis delivers a magnificent and restrained performance, brilliantly complemented by the rest of the cast, and the screenwriter deserves praise for the wonderfully structured and diverse characters. For nitpicky film student it will be rubbish, for the ordinary viewer, divine entertainment and literally burning filmmaking, showing what can be done nowadays. As Bay himself once said, “I didn't come to cure cancer, but to entertain people.” It is holy truth. (10/25/2003)

I watched it for so long I definitively fell in love with it. A controlled dose of absolute patriotism with lots of romantic pathos and catastrophically tuned action scenes. Here Michael Bay let loose his megalomaniac destructive imagination for the first time and created the best disaster movie I have ever seen. Bruce Willis has never been such an adored hero. (07/23/2007)

This is truly an all-time favorite full of quality humor and characters. I'd be hard pressed to find a better elite. Bruce Willis' charisma is unbeatable, I can't get enough of Ben Affleck, the "Rat" Steve Buscemi made me laugh too much, and M.C. Duncan always adds that much-needed missing touch to a film. Perfect direction, a bombastic script, and I have a big soft spot for the music from this film. 100% for me. More than enough laughs and tears. (02/13/2011)