'U-571' Sets New Sub Standards

If you're looking to get a "charge" out of your movie going experience, then board "U-571" for a couple of hours. You're view of underwater travel may never be the same again.

Of course the "charge" in question is that of depth charges, one of the many horrifying obstacles submarines had to face during the heat of battle during World War II. Unless you were a naval veteran who survived the real thing, I think that this particular movie-going experience is as terrifyingly close as it gets.

A fictional tale based on historical fact, "U-571" tracks an American submarine crew's mission to board a Nazi U-boat and seize an "Enigma," a top-secret encrypting device that aids communication. Although the mission appears straightforward, the overall mood of is that of trepidation.

The ship's captain (Bill Paxton) is questioning his executive officer's method of leadership (Matthew McConaughey), but still has the confidence to put him in charge of the operation. Seizing the device becomes the least of McConaughey's character's worries when the plan goes horribly wrong. He has no choice but to put his leadership skills to the test -- and that's a pretty sobering thought considering that he's trapped on a targeted crippled U-boat with minimal striking capabilities.

Helmed by "Breakdown" director Jonathan Mostow, it shouldn't come as a big surprise that "U-571" is driven by white-knuckle intensity. From a technical standpoint, it's the ultimate movie going experience. The sound -- especially during the depth charge scenes -- is frighteningly real. Better yet, that sound is brilliantly in sync with some hyperkinetic camera movement -- in a claustrophobic submarine setting to boot (or should I say, "Das Boot?").

Thanks in large part to a tight script and the vital sense of camaraderie that Mostow establishes with his large ensemble cast, the performances in "U-571" -- from McConaughey to Paxton to Harvey Keitel (and another solid turn from rocker Jon Bon Jovi) -- are convincing and worthy of their stripes.

The action scenes are constructively chaotic, they can also be chaotic to a fault. In fact, things become so involved at times, that it's hard to keep track of some of the central characters, and what's become of them. Some would argue that the actions of war indiscriminate and are appropriate in the telling of this story, but for a movie audience, they would probably be better served with more detailed explanation.

Despite these faults, this sub movie is far from sub-standard. On the contrary, it should set a higher standard for future sub movies.

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