I don't know if there's ever been a submarine movie I haven't liked - Crimson Tide, The Hunt for Red October, heck, even that Tom Arnold flick wasn't as bad as U-571. Well, let me qualify that statement - both are in extremely different genres - one a comedy, the other a drama/thriller. U-571 follows a group of submarine navymen as they traverse the depths searching for the elusive German "Enigma." The Enigma - the chief message encryption device of the Germans - could turn the war if in the hands of the opposition. Hence the group sets out and must take the German U-Boat by force without allowing them to radio in to let German intelligence know the Enigma had been compromised.

Once the Enigma is secured, you'd think it'd be smooth sailing, but the boat the Americans were posing as actually shows up and destroys their ride home. Now left on a damaged German submarine with indecipherable buttons, knobs, and levers, they must find a way to stay alive and keep the Enigma safe. To do so, the movie takes many twists and turns all resulting in the same clichéd endings - all of which were foretold long before they unravel. Combine the predictable story lines with the standard navy/war movie music and the movie drags along at an all-too-slow-pace. Come on, how long can you take depth charges for? There's about 20-30 minutes where we just see the crew of the ship holding on while the director shakes the camera and some really cool special effects simulating underwater depth charges.

Despite the predictable plot, the movie does provide some bang for the buck and is very intense - It's probably the first true popcorn-flick of the year where the only reason you really need to go for the movie is to sit back and enjoy the action. There's no good acting, no complex plot, no redeeming film qualities, just good ol' fashioned edge-of-your-seat action, suspense, and thrills. I enjoyed parts, but loathed others - many were just overdone and tedious. I'm sure the average movie-goer will enjoy this film and I can guarantee you a number one spot at the box office openening weekend, but unfortunately, the movie didn't offer what I had hoped it would be and it will not be remembered in the same league as The Hunt for Red October or Crimson Tide.

Click here to see scans of the sneak preview ticket.

Genres: Action, Thriller
Rated: R
Runtime: 118 minutes
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