Crimson Tide (1995)

His Review:

From director Tony Scott (Unstoppable, Deja Vu, Top Gun) comes the thrilling and suspenseful story of a nuclear submarine USS Alabama whose Captain has an itchy trigger finger.  When a report comes through to launch the nuclear weapon, the crew prepares but is soon attacked by a nearby submarine.  During the attacks, the radio is destroyed on the Alabama and a new transmission, regarding the launch, is partially received.  Captain Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) is hell-bent on launching since the new message is not authenticated, but the 2nd in command, Lt. Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington), refuses to turn his key until the new message can be verified.  Mutiny separates the crew as control of the sub, and it’s nukes, goes from one commander to the other.

Crimson Tide is powerfully suspenseful and will keep you glued to the screen to see just which of these 2 men did the right thing.  In my opinion, this is the most suspense I’ve seen in a movie that wasn’t in the horror genre.  Gene Hackman does a great job as the cocky, jackass Captain and Denzel does what I would hope anyone else in his position would do; grab the situation by the balls and take control.  Many other famous faces can be seen here (before they were stars) like Viggo Mortenson, James Gandolfini and Steve Zahn.  If you haven’t seen this film, and enjoy action, suspense and Tony Scott films, then get your hands on a copy.  Also co-starring Matt Craven, George Dzundza, and Michael Milhoan.

9/10 Stars – Gripping, suspenseful and plenty of great actors.

Click below for links to IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112740/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/crimson_tide/