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Summary: great movie
Review: !!
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Summary: So much for the "Silent Service"
Review: "Crimson Tide" tells the harrowing story of the USS Alabama, a nuclear-pwered submarine armed with enough nuclear firepower to devestate the world. Only the duty-bound morals of its crew keep that awesome power in check. Though the end of the cold war seems to have made the 'bama unnecessary, a band of rogue Russians re-ignite the cold war when they seize nukes of their own. Dispatched into Russian waters, the 'bama's venerable, if eccentric, Captain Ramsey (Gene Hackman) is ordered to be ready to retaliate (or perhaps strike first) at the Russians. His regular XO (2nd in command) out of action, Ramsey relies on Matt Hunter (Denzel Washington) to guide him through the hostile waters. As Ramsey's XO, Hunter has an equal say as to the launching of the sub's missiles, but he's more of a thinker than the can-do action man that Ramsey approximates. (Ramsey sees in Hunter a needed counterpoint, but not one he's willing to become co-equal with - "We're hear to protect democracy", he tells Hunter, "not practice it"). When the Alabama is severely damaged in an attack against a rogue Russian sub, the crew loses contact with the National Command Authority - and receives only part of a cryptic message from Washington - one that may have ordered them to launch their missiles. With the rogue Russians on the verge of being able to launch their own nukes, Hunter refuses to concur with the Captain's launch order. Though Hunter has USN regulations on his side, Ramsey leads an insurrection to re-take command and launch the nukes. Things get so loud, that it's hard to believe that the sub remains undetected deep within Russian waters (subs are tracked by sound; radar doesn't work underwater). "Crimson Tide" is in many ways the typical Burckheimer-Simpson movie - with many action scenes being far more evocative than coherent (like in Armageddon, where you'll feel the excitement even when you've got no idea what's going on). The story is more compelling than "Red October", but the special effects are inferior (relying less on CGI, the underwater subs and their torpedoes look like models, their size and motion not quite convincing). There are also a few things that are hard to accept - like speed with which the crew members break down (not even on station yet, two of the crew come to blows over whether Steve Ditko drew Spiderman better than Moebius) and how Denzel Washington (who hasn't come closer to combat than a three-day seminar in Washington) has to explain the realities of thermonuclear war to the rest of the crew that has beein doing this stuff for years. The best thing about the flick is the Akula - the Russian sub hunting for the Alabama. It's dispatched too quickly, leaving a gap the rest of the film never fills. Much of the power is from the actors themselves - with Washington as the thinking fighter and Hackman as the blustering cold warrior of old who nevertheless kept the lid on armageddon when he was on watch. He's an eccentric, but he knows his ship and his crew (unlike Washington, he doesn't have to look at nametags). A great action movie and probably the last submarine technothriller for a while.
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Summary: Chaos Inside and Outside of a Nuclear Submarine
Review: "Crimson Tide" is a study of the possibility of a World War III. A nuclear submarine is one of the more powerful weapons that the United States of America possesses. For that reason, the men inside are trained professionals who understand what to do to take care of any situation that arises, until a disagreement develops between the captain and the executive officer. The difference of opinions comes from an emergency action message that is cut short due to extreme weather conditions. Whether or not the Russians are going to attack us is the question at hand, and one officer believes that we should attack and another believes that we should abort. Ultimately, Washington and Hackman bicker at each other in an entertaining way and the environment spells fear of a nuclear holocaust. For moviegoers that aren't usually fans of submarine movies, this is a terrific movie regardless of your tastes. It is all about a major disagreement between a rookie and a veteran and what it could have caused.
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Summary: Crimson Tide - A surefire gripping thriller!
Review: "Crimson Tide" is certainly one of the most gripping and thrilling submarine films to have been released in several years. From the intriguing initial opening moments of this submarine classic to the most suspenseful and tense moments of character conflict, this film will have you on the edge of your seat, whether it's the first or tenth time you've watched it. I personally try to watch this film at least once a year as it can easily be said that this is one of my favorite movies from this genre. It is truly quite scary to think that there is even the most "remote" possibility that something like this could ever occur on a missile boat. Given the power that just one of these submarines has, they could hold the world's population in the palm of their hands. The power of this film not only comes from the power of the extraordinary script but lies solely with the superb performance of the lead characters. Whenever a tough and true grit role is to be had, Gene Hackman is the one to call as this role seems to have been written specifically for him. Though not quite the villain of the film, he's not quite the hero either, his character of Captain Ramsey represents the old Navy and the "way things were." In the role of the younger and extremely well educated Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Hunter, is Denzel Washington representing the new Navy as he delivers another extraordinarily powerful performance. In my humble opinion, this role represents one of his best efforts out of all the great performances he's given in so many films over the years. One may also wish to take note of some of the other characters and the level of fame they've risen to since making "Crimson Tide" in 1995. Most notable are Viggo Mortensen of "Lord of the Rings" fame and a much thinner James Gandolfini of "The Soprano's" fame. Director Tony Scott deserves all the credit in the world for the perfection that is, "Crimson Tide" and the way in which he put this outstanding film together. In the past, I've watched films of this nature where the soundtrack just didn't seem to "go" with the film. That is certainly not the case here, the soundtrack is "right on" with the action sequences and serves beautifully to enhance every scene in the film. The premise: In the realm of "possible predictabilities," a post Soviet Union, Russia is facing a possible civil war where one of the prominent leaders has broken away from the central Russian government. Many forces have allied behind him and he has seized a base that houses, of all things, nuclear weapons and has threatened launch if he is openly opposed by Allied forces. Fearing that this "madman" may actually get hold of the launch codes for these weapons, the NCA (National Command Authority or President for short) has decided to emplace nuclear submarines and hopefully preempt this Russian rebel if he does get hold of the launch codes and launches. Not to mention the fact that the Russian rebel leader has also gained the support of a submarine base and has put to sea several Akula class attack submarines. We learn most of that within the first few minutes of the film and this thrilling gripper of a movie "actually" kicks off when the USS Alabama and her crew put to sea, heading for their assigned patrol/launch area. All the while, Captain Ramsey is testing his new Executive Officer, Lt. Commander Hunter. Once the Alabama reaches her assigned station, they find themselves in very close quarters with one of the Russian Akula class submarines. Concurrently, they also receive a flash message to go to DEFCON 2 and launch several "packages." While preparing the submarine and its missiles for launch, they go deeper and on their way down, they start to receive another message. Unfortunately, they go too deep and don't receive the entire message. Here is where the major conflict begins because the Executive Officer wishes to confirm the orders and the Captain chooses not to and continues to prepare to launch. What follows from there is, as stated above, one of the most gripping submarine stories to ever grace the silver screen. I highly recommend this film to any and all fans of this genre as you will certainly enjoy every aspect of it. {ssintrepid} Special Features: Here is where I have a "bone of contention" with the producers of this film. There are exactly "zero" special features with this film, not even a trailer. Given this films popularity and success, it is extraordinarily perplexing as to why there has been no Special Edition release or anything of that nature. In the end it matters not though, the most important thing here is the film!
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Summary: Very good
Review: A great movie and the sound effects on my home theater system had my whole end of the apartment complex shaking. Lots of suspense and action....another submarine thriller along with Hunt For Red October.
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Summary: Yellow Airplane Video, Book, Toy Review:
Review: A movie which can very well be true. This one makes you think about how close a full scale nuclear war can be. This movie was a little slow, at first, but believe me this was very action packed showing submarine operations with weapons systems and countermeasures that appear very accurate. Don't miss this one. It's great, C. Jeff Dyrek
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Summary: Thought provoking.
Review: A well written, thought provoking story, with superb acting by D. Washington and G. Hackman. Kudos, gentlemen. To the enlisted men who claim insult, I say, "Get off your high horse!" Nobody ever claimed this movie represents the naked truth. It is meant to be ENTERTAINMENT! And it entertains very well. If actual veterans are so peeved by this movie that they'd give it one star, and whine about it like a sissy, then you have to wonder what DOES go on down there in the deep. Then, the movie is even more thought provoking.
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Summary: Crimson Tide rocks the boat!
Review: After experienceing Crimson Tide for the 15th time, I believe this is my favorite movie of all time. From the very beginning of the movie you are swept into a very plausible scenario: Russian rebels have captured nuclear missle silo's and are threatening to launch at the U.S.. The USS Alabama has been deployed to launch a preemptive strike against Russia. This movie has what DVD owners are looking for: Excellent visuals, bass thumping sound, and great acting. Denzel Washington gives the best performance of his career as Lt. Commander Hunter. His character's by-the-book style is at direct odds with Captain Ramsey's (Gene Hackman) old-school ways. The result is an incredible clash of wills that results in mutiny and the near destruction of the world in a nuclear holocaust. The tension is thick in this drama, and the movie has emotional moments and moments of extreme joy. You will be on the edge of your seat rooting for either Capt. Ramsey or Commander Hunter throughout the movie. This is a must-see movie!
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Summary: Oh Yeah! If you like techno thrillers, this one is for you!
Review: After seeing this film, I'd sware that it was made from a Clancey script. Incredible! Very believable story. Very believable environment. The technology on a modern submarine is something that must be seen to be believed. Gene Hackman plays a submarine commander that is past his prime. He runs a tip top ship with a tip top crew. Everything with him is all business. Washington is his executive officer. Much younger with different political ideas. The special effects are superb. The set for the submarine is awesome. Even all the supporting actors that play the crew do an excellent job. There are some slow parts in the beginning as the main characters are introduced, but once past the first 15 minutes, the film takes off and the hunt is on.
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Summary: A serious, strange movie that raises some useful questions
Review: Another submarine movie with some suspense. Unfortunately, the situation and the relationships between the characters seem very unreal ; it is a bit strange and surprising that nobody knows what decision to make on borad a nuclear submarine !! I hope this sort of situation is not possible !! ; also I guess te Navy did not like this movie !! Finally there is a lot of aggressivity and tension between the captain and his first officer, and one might even suspect that race and/or generation might have been an issue as one character is an aged white man with a haughty, cold, dumb, stubborn type, while the other is a young, clever, sappy black male with good intentions. Finally the World is saved by Denzel Washington. The whole movie is not bad indeed, however, I hate the exaggerated depiction of an extremely dramatic situation, without the smallest hint of humor, and the mixing a lot of bad, worrying things at the same time : potential conflict of race, or generations at the top command of such a dreadful vessel as nuclear submarine.. At least, the good point is that this movie conveys some messages I guess. However, it is not entertaining at all (it is rather stressing).
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