Armageddon 1998

Well this is a Michael Bay film so I already expect a lot of real explosions, and it definitely delivers. The action has that signature Bay energy. A lot of shots reminded me of Transformers, especially those upward tilting hero shots where the camera starts low and pushes up while the character walks forward in slow motion to make the subject feel larger than life. It gives that heroic, almost mythic presence to the characters. The cinematography and color are also really nice at times. I especially like the silhouette shots against an orange sun and sky. That warm, glowing background with dark figures in front creates a very dramatic and cinematic look! The film is also surprisingly funny. The crew interactions have a lot of heart and humor, especially when they are just talking to each other. Those moments feel natural and help lighten the tone. I started losing immersion during the slingshot around the moon and the crash landing on the asteroid. The CGI combined with the shaky camera made everything look a bit fake for me. Instead of feeling the danger, I became more aware that I was watching a constructed sequence. I got interested again when they started drilling. That part felt more grounded and focused. But then I lost interest again when the conflicts kept piling up. Some of those sequences felt too long. It became over the top instead of just telling a more linear and direct story. It started to feel like the film was flexing its budget rather than tightening the narrative. Still, the ending is triumphant and emotionally satisfying. But for me, the strongest part of the film is still the first act where everything feels more cinematic and engaging.