A Review of the movie Crimson Tide

Crimson Tide is a movie directed by Tony Scott and starring Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington.  The movie is about Russian ultranationalists rebels who take over a military base with nuclear weapons soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union.  These ultranationalists threaten to launch nuclear weapons at the US and other nations.  In response, the US Navy sends submarines equipped with nuclear warheads near the overtaken base to retaliate or launch a first strike if necessary.  The sub where the movie takes place is led by Hackman’s Captain Frank Ramsey (one of the few US sub commanders with combat experience) and Washington’s character, second in command, Lieutenant Commander Ron Hunter (a younger man with no combat experience but broad knowledge of military history and tactics).  The sub at first gets orders to launch nuclear missiles but soon receives another transmission that says “Nuclear Missile Laun…” before it is cut off by the radio being damaged from a rebel Russian sub, leaving the sub cut off from the surface.  The rest of the movie revolves around Captain Ramsey, who thinks they should follow their previous orders, and Lieutenant Commander Hunter, who thinks they should confirm their orders before launching, battling for control of the ship and, ultimately, the nuclear missiles.

            With two tremendous actors in Hackman and Washington, this film does not disappoint.  The acting is very good.  These two men go head to head, each gathering the support of members of the crew to mutiny against the other and gain control.  They each gather the intensity of the moment trying to do what they believe is the right move to prevent World War III.  This film keeps you on the edge of your seat as you watch each man get closer to his goal only to be thwarted by the other at the last possible moment, every second bringing them closer to the Russians being able to launch a nuke or being destroyed by a rebel Russian sub.  It is a thrill ride that will make you craving more.

            Of the ten central movie themes that we discussed in class on Friday, this one would clearly fall under “The Battle.”  These two men are fighting for what they think is the only acceptable course of action.  This is what the plot centers on for the entire second half of the movie.  An added bonus is that the audience does not know who is right, adding a new dimension to this film.  Neither the sub nor the audience knows what is going on above water.  Could another sub have launched nukes?  Have the rebels surrendered?  These two possibilities make what the sub does crucial because if it launches after a surrender, war between Russia and the US would erupt.  However, if they do not launch the nukes, millions of innocent Americans could die.  I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars.