Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 13, 1995 TAG: 9505150069
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Though writers Michael Schiffer and Richard Henrick have concocted a reasonable premise based on contemporary politics, the film is really nothing more than an updated Word War II submarine adventure.
Strip away the references to nuclear weapons and it's the same old story with the same shake-rattle-and-roll effects (where they vibrate the camera and everyone staggers around), the same plot gimmicks (a broken radio figures prominently) and the same characters.
Capt. Ramsey (Gene Hackman) is the grizzled combat veteran. Lt. Cmdr. Hunter (Denzel Washington) is the bright young officer who's chosen to be Ramsey's second in command when the submarine Alabama heads out into the Pacific. It seems Russian rebels have taken over a military base there, and once again their missiles are aimed at us.
That's the film's central issue.
Does an incomplete message mean the two countries are at war? Should they fire their missiles, or should they wait until they know more? Ramsey's ready to strike; Hunter says no.
Director Tony Scott can't rely on the kinetic aerial footage that made "Top Gun" such a hit. Instead, he works with busy cluttered sets, clever lighting and tilted camera angles with lots of close-ups of sweating faces to build tension.
He also relies heavily on his two leads, who do exactly what they're supposed to do. These are not exactly the most challenging roles that Washington and Hackman have ever had, but they bring the right amount of stiff-upper-lip heroism to get the job done.
After all, stars are part of the Hollywood escapist formula, too - usually the most important part. In "Crimson Tide," all the parts fit.
Crimson Tide
** 1/2
A Hollywood Pictures release playing at the Salem Valley 8 and Tanglewood Mall. 115 mins. Rated R for strong language, some violence.
by CNB