Armageddon
Movie, 1998, Present Day, Set in Present day
Armageddon is #6 of 18 in release order and #6 of 18 in chronological order in the Space Movies.
The story
When an asteroid threatens to collide with Earth, NASA honcho Dan Truman determines the only way to stop it is to drill into its surface and detonate a nuclear bomb. This leads him to renowned driller Harry Stamper, who agrees to helm the dangerous space mission provided he can bring along his own hotshot crew. Among them is the cocksure A.J. who Harry thinks isn't good enough for his daughter, until the mission proves otherwise.
Armageddon recap
A meteor shower destroys the shuttle Atlantis and hits New York, and NASA learns that an asteroid the size of Texas will hit Earth in eighteen days. NASA director Dan Truman's plan is to drill a hole in it and drop a nuclear bomb inside. He brings in Harry Stamper, the world's best deep-core driller, who agrees on the condition that he uses his own crew, including A.J., the young driller dating Harry's daughter Grace against Harry's wishes. The crew train as astronauts and launch in two shuttles, Freedom and Independence, refuelling at a Russian space station that explodes, picking up the cosmonaut Lev. Independence crashes on the asteroid, killing most aboard, and the drilling on Freedom goes badly wrong.
Armageddon ending explained
A.J. and the survivors reach Freedom with their drill. When the remote detonator is damaged, someone has to stay behind to set off the bomb by hand. A.J. draws the short straw, but Harry pulls his air hose and takes his place, saying goodbye to Grace by video. The asteroid splits apart and misses Earth, and the crew come home to a hero's welcome. Grace and A.J. marry.
Post-credits scenes
During the opening of the credits, home videos of Grace and A.J.'s wedding play, with photos of the crew. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Armageddon
Armageddon is streaming on YouTube TV in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.7/10, Rotten Tomatoes 42%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Deep Impact, before Mission to Mars.
- Chronological order: after Deep Impact, before Space Cowboys.
Cast
- Bruce Willis as Harry S. Stamper
- Billy Bob Thornton as Dan Truman
- Ben Affleck as A.J. Frost
- Liv Tyler as Grace Stamper
- Will Patton as Chick
- Steve Buscemi as Rockhound
- William Fichtner as Willie Sharp
- Owen Wilson as Oscar
- Michael Clarke Duncan as Bear
- Peter Stormare as Lev Andropov
- Ken Hudson Campbell as Max
- Jessica Steen as Jennifer Watts
Directed by Michael Bay.