Armageddon Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of oil drillers go to space to blow up a rock because science, love, and America.

🍿 Armageddon: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Initial Threat and Discovery

The movie opens with a meteor shower destroying the Space Shuttle Atlantis and causing widespread damage across Earth. NASA quickly discovers that a massive asteroid, the size of Texas, is on a collision course with the planet, threatening global extinction in just 18 days. This sets the stage for a desperate race against time to find a solution.

Recruiting the Drillers

NASA decides that the only way to save Earth is to drill into the asteroid and detonate a nuclear bomb. They recruit Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis), a renowned deep-sea oil driller, and his team of unconventional but highly skilled drillers. The team includes A.J. Frost (Ben Affleck), Rockhound (Steve Buscemi), and other colorful characters known for their expertise and rebellious attitudes.

Astronaut Training and Preparation

Harry and his crew undergo accelerated astronaut training to prepare for the mission. The training is fraught with humorous and challenging moments as the roughneck drillers clash with the structured environment of NASA. They modify their drilling equipment for space travel and face numerous obstacles in preparation for their perilous journey.

The Mission to Space

Two space shuttles, Freedom and Independence, are launched towards the asteroid. En route, they must refuel at a Russian space station, where a mishap leads to an explosion. The shuttles then use a slingshot maneuver around the moon to gain speed and intercept the asteroid. Upon approaching the asteroid, the Independence is destroyed, but the remaining crew members survive and join the Freedom crew.

Drilling and Setbacks on the Asteroid

The Freedom lands on the asteroid, but misses the designated drilling zone, landing on a hard iron surface. The team faces numerous setbacks, including equipment malfunctions and deadly rock storms. Despite the challenges, they manage to drill deep enough to plant the nuclear bomb. The remote detonator is damaged during a rock storm, necessitating a manual detonation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Harry S. Stamper (Bruce Willis): A tough, experienced deep-sea oil driller recruited by NASA to save Earth from an asteroid, ultimately sacrificing himself for the mission.
• Dan Truman (Billy Bob Thornton): The head of NASA who is responsible for devising and executing the plan to stop the asteroid.
• A.J. Frost (Ben Affleck): A young, skilled member of Harry’s drilling crew and Grace’s love interest, who is initially at odds with Harry but earns his respect.
• Grace Stamper (Liv Tyler): Harry’s daughter and A.J.’s girlfriend, who provides an emotional anchor for the story and a personal stake for Harry in saving the world.
• Chick (Will Patton): Harry’s loyal best friend and fellow driller who joins the mission, representing the camaraderie and sacrifice of the team.
• Rockhound (Steve Buscemi): A quirky and eccentric geologist on Harry’s team who provides comic relief and specialized knowledge during the mission.
• Colonel Willie Sharp (William Fichtner): The by-the-book astronaut and pilot who initially clashes with the drillers but ultimately works with them to achieve their mission.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rockhound: “You know we’re sitting on four million pounds of fuel, one nuclear weapon and a thing that has 270,000 moving parts built by the lowest bidder. Makes you feel good, doesn’t it?” – Rockhound expresses his unease about the mission’s reliability with his characteristic dark humor.
• Harry S. Stamper: “We’re not heroes, we’re just guys who didn’t want to see the world end.” – Harry downplays their heroism, emphasizing their simple motivation to save the planet.
• Harry S. Stamper: “Grace, honey, I’m gone.” – Harry’s emotional farewell to his daughter before sacrificing himself to detonate the bomb.
• Harry S. Stamper: “A.J., take care of my little girl.” – Harry’s final words to A.J., entrusting him with Grace’s well-being.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $140,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $201,578,182
• Worldwide Gross: $553,712,773

💥 Armageddon Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so Armageddon isn’t a masterpiece, but I still love it. From the over-the-top action to the cheesy one-liners, it’s pure entertainment. I remember watching it as a kid and being completely captivated by the idea of everyday people saving the world. The scene where Harry sacrifices himself gets me every time – I can’t help but tear up! It’s a fun, nostalgic ride that I’ll happily take again and again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of disaster movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy action-packed films with lots of special effects”
  • “Those who appreciate movies with a heroic sacrifice theme”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense action violence”
  • “Some language”
  • “Brief suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Armageddon is a relentless assault of sound and fury, signifying very little. While the special effects are impressive, the characters are thin and the plot strains credibility. It’s a rollercoaster ride that prioritizes spectacle over substance, leaving you exhausted rather than entertained.
• James Berardinelli: “Michael Bay’s Armageddon is a quintessential summer blockbuster: loud, flashy, and unapologetically dumb. Though it boasts a charismatic cast and some thrilling action sequences, the film’s excessive runtime and reliance on clichés ultimately undermine its potential.

Audience Reactions

Emotional ending with Harry’s sacrifice tugged at the heartstrings.: Viewers praised the film’s high-octane action sequences and the charismatic performances of the ensemble cast.

Steve Buscemi’s Rockhound character provided much-needed comic relief.: Many appreciated the film as a classic ‘turn-off-your-brain’ summer blockbuster.

Overall Consensus: Armageddon is a visually stunning, action-packed film that sacrifices scientific accuracy for pure entertainment value. While critics are divided, many viewers find it a fun, albeit cheesy, blockbuster.

Awards

1. MTV Movie Award (Best Male Performance)- 1999

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “NASA shows this film during their management training program. New managers are given the task of trying to spot as many errors as possible. At least 168 have been found.”
• “Ben Affleck once questioned why NASA didn’t just train astronauts to drill instead of training drillers to be astronauts. He was reportedly told to shut up.”
• “Many of the actors ad-libbed lines, especially Steve Buscemi, contributing to the film’s comedic moments.”

🖥️ How to Watch Armageddon?

Armageddon is widely available on various platforms. You can stream it on platforms like Paramount+ and DirecTV. It is also available for rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Armageddon, you might like these similar films:

• Deep Impact (1998): Released the same year, it also deals with an asteroid threatening Earth, offering a more serious and less action-oriented approach.
• Apollo 13 (1995): Features a group of astronauts facing a life-threatening crisis in space, emphasizing teamwork and ingenuity.
• Independence Day (1996): Another large-scale disaster film from the same era with a focus on American heroism against an existential threat.
• The Martian (2015): Focuses on problem-solving and survival in space, with a strong emphasis on scientific accuracy and ingenuity.
• Space Cowboys (2000): Features older pilots being sent to space to fix a satellite. Cult classic.

🛒 Armageddon Related Products

• Armageddon [Blu-ray]: Experience the explosive action and emotional depth of Armageddon in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Includes behind-the-scenes features and extended scenes.
• Aerosmith – Armageddon: The Album: Relive the iconic soundtrack featuring ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing’ and other powerful tracks that defined the movie’s emotional core.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Armageddon – Harry Stamper: Add the heroic Harry Stamper to your Funko Pop! collection. This stylized vinyl figure captures Bruce Willis’s iconic character.
• Armageddon Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original Armageddon movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home theater or fan cave.

🎧 Soundtrack

Armageddon features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” – performed by Aerosmith
• “Remember Me” – performed by Journey
• “Mister Big Time” – performed by Jon Bon Jovi

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Even Ben Affleck Thought The Plot Of Armageddon Was Dumb #funfact

Did you know that even Ben Affleck thought the plot of Armageddon was a bit silly? Watch this clip to hear his funny take on the movie’s premise.

Honest Trailers – Armageddon

If you’re a fan of Honest Trailers, you won’t want to miss their take on Armageddon. It’s a hilarious and spot-on critique of the movie’s over-the-top action and cheesy dialogue.

Everything Wrong With Armageddon In 14 Minutes Or Less

If you’re curious about the flaws and shortcomings of Armageddon, this CinemaSins video is a must-watch. It identifies all the movie’s sins, making for a funny and insightful viewing experience.

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