Armageddon

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Ben Affleck, who is known for speaking candidly, made some unforgettable public introspections in the DVD commentary track for the 1998 film “Armageddon.” Even after over two decades since its release, Affleck has acknowledged that he still stands by his humorous but apparently accurate critiques of the movie’s plot logic. Despite the massive box office success and enduring popularity of “Armageddon” in late-90s pop culture, Affleck’s blunt commentary provided a glimpse into how the actor had to suppress his storytelling instincts while working on the film.

In a recent chat with GQ, Affleck discussed his well-known DVD commentary incident where he critiqued the absurdities present in the Michael Bay-led film. To put it simply, he clarified that he was pointing out the film’s over-the-top elements.

Among my career’s accomplishments, one stands out that I am proud to highlight: It’s likely one of the top five DVD commentaries ever produced. Interestingly, at the time, no one mentioned anything about it. I suspect that most people didn’t listen to it or show much interest initially. However, years later, when it was revisited, I think its value became more apparent.

Initially, I was quite taken aback and dismayed when I found myself engaging in such a manner. To clarify, everything I expressed was completely accurate, but the issue is that it’s not appropriate to reveal everything truthfully in that setting.

Ben Affleck Felt Like Something Small in Something Very Big

Indeed, during the time when “Armageddon” hit the screens in 1998, Ben Affleck was yet to garner the acclaim and recognition as an Oscar-winning director and actor that he enjoys today. Consequently, there were several aspects of the film’s production that he had to comply with. Working alongside veterans like Bruce Willis, he found himself in the minority, more like a minnow in the sea. He further explained:

Initially, I didn’t anticipate, ‘Wow, this will be brilliant.’ Instead, I thought I’d embark on a large-scale Hollywood action film, which I enjoyed immensely. However, as the movie progressed, I was occasionally taken aback to discover that at times, they seemed less concerned with making things clear or logical.

In another words, I was the one who said something like, “Alright, it seems we don’t follow those same rules here.” I felt insignificant compared to this massive thing, much like an ant on an elephant, when I would speak up about the discussion I had with Michael Bay regarding why training oil drillers for astronaut duties is easier than teaching astronauts to drill a hole in the ground.

Similar to many Michael Bay films, the movie “Armageddon” is filled with grand spectacles, thrilling action sequences, and a climactic finale where the day is miraculously saved in a quintessentially American fashion. It’s not unusual for plot inconsistencies to crop up in such widely appealing blockbusters, and while some critics may highlight these flaws, moviegoers often overlook them…or simply don’t mind. It appears that Ben Affleck’s perspective on the shortcomings of “Armageddon” hasn’t evolved over time, which is hardly surprising given his past associations with the film.

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2025-03-26 15:31