Controversial Movies Poll #3: Armageddon

[ZapRowsdower]

This movie has a weird effect on people. You pick a random person on the street (or one of your friends, whichever feels more comfortable) and ask them if they liked Armageddon. Chances are, they loved it. Now go onto IMDb.com and look up Armageddon. It has a 5.7 rating (out of 10, for those unfamiliar with IMDb). Admit that you loved it on the message board, and people will laugh at you OR outright hate you... Pretty much the same thing that happens when you admit you love Adam Sandler, but I digress.

So, what is it with Armageddon? Are there too many "nerds" on IMDb? I feel a 5.7 rating is rather low, considering that IS one of my favorite movies of all time. Here's what I noticed.

Armageddon is blatantly unrealistic. The chances of an asteroid that big colliding with us are quite slim... and even if it would happen, they would teach astronauts how to drill, not teach drillers how to astronaut.

Ok, so what's the problem? Armageddon is a perfect example of escapist entertainment. Escapist entertainment is when an MST3K-worthy premise gets turned into a dramatic and ultimately (INTENTIONALLY) entertaining film by the director and the actors. People who bash Michael Bay don't realize the talent that goes into pulling something like this off. I think Michael Bay is a truly talented filmmaker.

I don't know what's more annoying, someone who doesn't like Citizen Kane because it's "boring", or someone who doesn't like Armageddon because it's "unrealistic".

I give it a ****

...It loses a point for the gratuitous cookie sex.

[Bartwald]

Just after seeing it I was saying 'Damn good!' After the second viewing it did change into 'Good' but that's a strong 'Good', please acknowledge that.

Bruce Willis, Steve Buscemi and the special effects were always my favourite things about Armageddon. Ben Affleck was good, too. The not-too-realistic script didn't bother me too much but I wished the movie was just a bit less pompous than it was.

[Heineken Skywalker]

I voted "poor". I just thought it was dumb and a waste of my time. So many good actors wasted too. Well, I'm sure they were all paid very well.
I liked the Aerosmith song though. So I can just listen to the soundtrack and not have to sit through the movie again, huh?
I dump this movie in the same junk pile as previous big summer blockbuster types that try to cover a lame story with glitzy effects and name stars: INDEPENDENCE DAY, GODZILLA, TWISTER, WILD WILD WEST, etc.

[ZapRowsdower]

Well, if you think about it, the glitzy effects was really what sold the movie. Also, the dramatics used in it were excellent IMHO. That goodbye scene between Liv Tyler and Bruce Willis was excellent, and Bruce Willis' acceptance of his new son, etc.

I respect your opinion, I just don't agree with it. ;D

[Heineken Skywalker]

IamTheSmitty said:

I respect your opinion, I just don't agree with it. ;D

Ditto. It's all good.
If we all liked exactly the same things, life would be pretty boring.