" (Vaziri T.) www.vfxhq.com/1998/armageddon_review.html" On the other had there is also praise for the ways in which some of the special effects in the film are achieved. This applies to the sequence in which Shanghai is destroyed when the impact of the asteroid creates a sense of depth. This effect is created by a combination of matte paintings, miniature buildings and computer regenerated items. (Vaziri T.)

The critique of the films in terms of the special effects centers on the fast cutting style of Bay's direction. The critics state that the lightning changes and fast shots, similar to musical videos, leave the audience wanting more. The director is continually cutting away to different scenes and sequences. This is a critique that is put forward time and again. There are also criticisms of the way in which the special effects are manipulated and directed. Again this refers to the pace and jagged style of the director.

The film's effects, while stunningly rendered, suffer from the fast pace and overstated nature of the film. The asteroid itself should look like an actual rock: a jagged, spinning, heaving behemoth. Actually it fails to look threatening at all, and is far too ethereal, wispy and vaporous

Morris A.)

Critics have also expressed their disappointment at the "synth-heavy faux-orchestral score." (Morris A.) Many feel that the score of the Armageddon does not add to the sense of tension and excitement. Bay also makes use of use well- known actors who will ensure audience attention. Besides using well - known stars of cinema like Bruce Willis, he also has a penchant for...

"Bay has a worshipful, almost tender reverence for his male stars. His trademark shot makes them look like Renaissance statuary: His camera begins at their right arm, then swivels around behind them, and comes to rest gazing up at their granite chins." (Curtis, Bryan 2005) This also relates to the stereotypical views that many of the main characters in his main characters relate to.
Throughout the various comments and reviews of Michael Bay's style the film Armageddon there is the ubiquitous reference to his fast editing and "fast-cutting" changes between images and sequences. This is a central characteristic of his work. His style can be directly related to his earlier work in musical video and, although there is a certain amount of criticism from various quarters, he translates this to the dimension of feature film in a cohesive and exciting ways.

Bibliography

Curtis, Bryan. The Bad Boy of Summer: Michael Bay vs. his critics. 2005. Accessed October 23, 2005.

JAMES, CARYN. REVIEW; Take Action and Blood; Sprinkle With Laughs

1995. NY Times. Accessed October 24, 2005. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CEEDF1F3AF934A35757C0A963958260

Miller Prairie. ARMAGEDDON: INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL BAY. 1998. Star Interviews

Morris A, Armageddon. October 23, 2005. http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=5176

Scott B. Featured Filmmaker: Michael Bay. October 21, 2005. http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/429/429549p1.html

Vaziri T. Amageddon. http://www.vfxhq.com/1998/armageddon_review.html