Armageddon

Originally Armageddon received generally negative feedback, criticizing its ‘lack of dramatic rhythm or character development’. Now I don’t agree that there is a lack of character development. The relationship between leader Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis) and A.J. Frost (Ben Affleck) is just one example of development. They start out hating each other, with Harry unwilling to let A.J marry his daughter as planed. He says: “Well I be damned if my daughter grew up to marry a roughneck she’s better than that, better than all of us.”

This relationship unfolds throughout the mission up till its final until dramatic climax when Harry saves A.J’s life, in return for his own. A moment in the film that would tug at anyone’s heart strings and yes I’ll admit it I cry every time. It is a selfless moment of love, admiration and Harry’s final acceptance of A.J.

I can understand though where critics are coming from when they say lack of dramatic rhythm. The film is very ‘stop starting’ when it comes to running into problems throughout the mission. Although I am not sure I would say this is a bad thing, for me it keeps the audience on their toes and clued in to what is going on.

The entire feel to the film is a theme of selflessness, courage and pride and the fact that there were multiple problems causing several lives to be lost only intensifies this feeling at the end of the film.


I probably don't even need to mention the soundtracks to this film as we all know Aerosmith's I don't want to miss a thing could not have been any more memorable when it comes to Armageddon. Probably the main thing that people relate to the fantastic film. Click here to have a listen on my soundtrack page

Along side of all the serious stuff I love the funny side to this film. The fact that from the beginning the group brought together for a life or death mission are just completely laid back and comical about the whole thing. It helps the audience connect even more with each of them. Their casual approach to the mission just makes you respect and admire them more once the job is done.

This is a brilliant example of what I mean by their ‘laid back’ approach as they are walking to the launch pad:

Fact File

Release date: Aug 7, 1998

Run time: 151mins

Age rating: 12

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Lead Actors: Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton and Ben Affleck

Award Wins: MTV movie award for best movie song and best action sequence.

Review: As one of Robert Ebert's most hated films he said that: "The movie is an assault on the eyes, the ears, the brain, common sense and the human desire to be entertained."

Story plot

The world is under threat when NASA discovers an asteroid the size of Texas is heading straight for them. Threatening to create a tidal wave 3miles high that would completely wipe out mankind. It comes down to oil driller, Harry Stamper, and his selected team of geologists to save the world. They are set the task of land on the approaching asteroid, drilling into it and filling it with explosives in order to destroy it. With problems and lives lost along the way the mission was never going to be simple.

This is a picture my dad took of my mum, myself and my sister (from right to left)
 at NASA - Kennedy space centre in Florida