Yes, this is a high budget love story, much like "Titanic," which I hate. However, this attempt sells better for me because it's a love triangle with two guys, played by Ben Affleck (Chasing Amy) and Josh Hartnett (Black Hawk Down), whose first concern is defending their base and country, even though Hawaii wasn't part of the country yet.

The love interests came before and after the attack, not during. They were shown as soldiers first.

The acting was a bit melodramatic. I will definitely admit that.

The visual effects in "Pearl Harbor" were very solid and intensified the Japanese attack well. Also, the movie's sound effects editing was a great emphasis for the heavy action second hour.

In comparing this picture to "Saving Private Ryan," "Pearl Harbor" having a PG13 rating was a big distraction. You can literally see guys getting shot, but not bleeding. It took away from the best sequence of the movie when unconsciously the audience is wondering what is wrong with the scene. It's a violent attack, with no blood.

The producers and director Michael Bay (Armaggedon) should have dropped their b**ls and made the picture R. That way we could have seen Kate Beckinsale (Van Helsing) naked too.

Overall, I really liked the picture. I liked the romantic triangle, but most of all I liked how the picture celebrates the heroism of this tragic moment in history. If you haven't seen it, you should.