A Review by Phil Calabro
1995, Hollywood Pictures, Dir. Tony Scott - Starring Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Viggo Mortensen, Matt Craven, James Gandolfini, Rocky Carroll, Jaime Gomez, Michael Milhoan, Scott Burkeholder, Danny Nucci, Lillo Brancato, Steve Zahn
Tony Scott has a great knack for directing actions films with a moral mindset - by this I mean a full-blown tension thrill ride that gives the audience somethink to think about after they leave the theater. As our story begins, the screen riddles across that the three most powerful people on earth are the US President, the Russian Premier, and a US Nuclear Sub captain. We have ourselves a conflict - an unknown signal may or may not greenlight the next nuclear holocaust. Should we listen to the younger captain who says not to fire, or the experienced general who's a tad too trigger-happy? Sure, the movie may tend to lean towards one side than the other, but it still provides great dinner table conversation. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, this may not be one of his signature explosive loose-plot venues, but it's still a worthwhile look or rent.
It's 1995, and a civil war has broken out in Russia, with the rebels taking control of ballistic missile bases in the heart of the country. Afraid of an attack, the government sends out a pre-emptive nuclear submarine, the USS Alabama, just in case of a possible throwdown. Aboard the ship is the aged and accomplished sub captain Frank Ramsey (Hackman), who is pretty sure that the Russians will make a strike against their homeland. Also in the captain is the newly appointed executive officer Ron Hunter (Washington), who hates war but generally follows the military's moral code. When a torpedo cuts off contact from the radio control, an unfinished message from the communications base is the last order sent to them. It is about to give the next command, but cuts directly off there. Ramsey thinks it's the order to launch their missiles against Russia, Hunter feels that they should reinstitute connection and verify it before launch. Ramsey sets for immediate annihilation, but Hunter stages a munity to protect it. It becomes a dog-versus-cat battle for control of the missiles, but will radio connection be provided before Ramsey can execute the launch?
Although it doesn't come across as heated as it should be, Hackman and Washington establish great chemistry together. We have two opposite, yet cliched, sides of the spectrum - the southern cowboy who has his trigger finger ready every minute, and the soft-spoken man of morals who must find the truth before he makes any judgments. Hackman doesn't overdo the role of Ramsey, but keeps sort of a smug nature about him. The anger that builds inside of him at the end seems a bit too rushed, but I suppose I could blame that on the screenplay. Washington is just like every other role he's played, either way too loud or too quiet at the wrong times. He's a likeable hero, but not very memorable. Also notable is Viggo Mortensen, whose character as the middle man Wepts is one of complexity, and should have been drawn out just a bit more. For the length he plays it, it seems reasonable enough the struggle he faces - to give the captain the missile ignition key or to see one of his own men die.
As I noted above, there's very little action. Those expecting some sort of blow-up extravaganza should beware, this is a thinking man's suspense movie. If it's any condolence, there are some very interesting confrontations between the two opposing munities (Ramsey vs. Hunter), and some cool submarine effects when a torpedo hits one of the fins. But other than that, it's a bit low on the Bruck-a-meter. The moral conflicts of the movie are what really help weight it down. A few monologues about war and peace, and some film-noirish cinematography really give the movie an extra kick. It's a movie where you wait and wait for action, but find it replaced with some form of philosophy. Usually I'd accuse Bruckheimer for letting us down, but somehow, I think his plan worked just fine.
'Crimson Tide' is a thoughtful and thrilling look at nuclear warfare. Although it's a letdown for some audiences, it would garner the attention of a lot of intellectual thoughts and marine buffs alike. It paces itself along briskly, keeps us in line with moral values, and socks us the final punch at the end. It's certainly worth the rent.
