Release Date: May 12, 1995
Starring: Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Viggo Mortensen, George Dzundza, Matt Craven, James Gandolfini, Rocky Carroll
Directed by: Tony Scott
Distributed by: Buena Vista Pictures
MPAA Rating: R (strong language)
Perhaps not since 1992's A Few Good Men has Hollywood given us such a vivid portrayal of the flaws in the chain of command in today's armed forces. Although Tony Scott's Crimson Tide is first and foremost an action-suspense thriller, it raises certain key issues about the US Navy's policy of independently-launched nuclear weapons and the men in charge of such destructive power. Offering vivid and inspiring performances by leads Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman, Crimson Tide is certainly one of the year's top films in both the style and the substance categories; this is one explosive movie.
It has all the kinetic energy of a pot ready to boil as well as the pacing which brings to mind images of a jackrabbit cutting across open country. This intense nature comes from the fact that principal photography for Crimson Tide yielded over forty hours of useable footage, all of which was masterfully condensed into a 116-minute sardine can of a running time by editor Chris Lebenzon. This is perhaps one of the few solid examples of the benefits of the editing room.
At the head of those 116 minutes is a title card which lists the three most powerful men on Earth: the President of the United States, the President of the Russian Republic, and the Captain of a US Navy nuclear submarine. This sets the tone for a highly charged plot involving a battle of wills with the fate of the world at stake.
In the post-Cold War Navy, Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter (Washington) has just been awarded the post of executive officer aboard the nuclear submarine USS Alabama. He was at the top of a short list, his steely-eyed CO, Captain Frank Ramsey (Hackman), informs him in the first of a number of wonderfull tense scenes featuring interactions between Hunter and Ramsey. Director Scott certainly knows how to make the best use of his two leads, and Washington and Hackman do not disappoint in these scenes.
Moments later Ramsey, Hunter, and the crew of the Alabama are in the Pacific Ocean deeps on a lengthy cruise when they receive a number of Emergency Action Messages from Naval command, each upgrading their readiness status in light of the outbreak of revolution in Russia. The Russian rebels have netted themselves a number of nuclear missiles which are within striking distance of America's major cities, and the Alabama is the sub with first-strike capability. But when the transmission that will confirm or cancel the order to fire is cut off in battle, Hunter and Ramsey go toe to toe on the issue. In the ensuing chaos, mutiny abounds as the crew takes sides behind their two top officers.
Both Hackman and Washington are in top form, but Hackman is a shade better by way of experience and benefit of better dialogue. As the aging Captain Ramsey, the possibility of releasing nuclear weapons would be the summit of his career, and with Hunter in his way, he dismisses his XO without second thought. The stolid façade first offered gives way to a readily excitable and entirely different individual. Hackman manages this character arc without missing a beat.
As Hunter, Washington is just as good, although the role is just as predictable as it was for Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men. The young professional is a bit too goody-goody for the questions raised in the plot, and this is Crimson Tide's major cliché.
But director Scott works around that and makes the most of a film shot in entirely cramped, dark spaces. His technique has never been better, and after the hokey fun of Top Gun, this is by far a more serious military thriller. The Michael Schiffer script receives fair treatment, and so for anyone looking for an upbeat, fast-paced, exciting movie, this is definitely the choice.
all contents © 1996 Craig Roush