Armageddon: A Blockbuster Controversy
In 1998, two asteroid-themed blockbusters, "Deep Impact" and "Armageddon," were released, competing for audience attention. While "Armageddon" was criticized for its over-the-top style and lack of intellectual depth, it still managed to be a box office success, grossing over $553 million worldwide. Despite its commercial success, the film received scathing reviews from critics, with Roger Ebert famously calling it a "150-minute trailer" and criticizing its lack of originality and realism.
Starring Bruce Willis as an oil driller recruited by NASA to save Earth from an asteroid, "Armageddon" is a quintessential '90s Hollywood blockbuster known for its bombastic spectacle and nonsensical plot. Ebert's review of the film highlighted its relentless editing style and illogical premise, questioning the feasibility of blowing up an asteroid the size of Texas. Director Michael Bay defended the film as a fantasy world meant for entertainment, not serious scrutiny.
Ebert's review of "Armageddon" didn't hold back on his disdain for the film's characters, dialogue, and overall lack of originality. Despite his harsh criticism, the movie still garnered a significant following and remains a divisive entry in the disaster film genre. While Ebert's review may have been scathing, "Armageddon" continues to be remembered as a larger-than-life popcorn flick that captured the spirit of '90s blockbuster cinema.