CRIMSON TIDE (1995)

Scroll down a few posts for William Friedkin’s updated CAINE MUTINY, specifically the tricky last scene where Jason Clarke’s conflicted defense attorney gets away with a duplicitous speech on his win over the inept Captain Queeg by channeling the recognizable vocal cadence & scratchy high baritone of Gene Hackman.  Works like a charm.  So, what a surprise to find the real Gene Hackman in this Nuked-up CAINE MUTINY ripoff, not playing defense (the trial is largely excised), but as Captain Queeg!  And worse, giving a painfully obvious, bulldozer perf.  But it’s hard to blame Hackman, the greatest utility player of his era, for overreaching when everyone’s at their worst in this hyped-up would-be thriller that sees Denzel Washington (in the spot Van Johnson had in the 1955 CAINE MUTINY film!!!) tasked with overseeing a nuclear sub, overloaded with testosterone & fat sailors, in Tony Scott’s typically overworked countdown suspenser.  Hooey about a power struggle in Russia that may put atomic codes into the hands of an ultra-Nationalist.  Our Mission: take out the weapons first (and probably start a Nuclear Holocaust) or lose the war before it starts.  Our Problem: orders from command central have been interrupted!  Is it an order to Proceed or Stand Down?  Yikes!  Scott, as usual, over-masticates every shot, special-effect, camera move & sound edit, running out of thrills or suspense while giving away all his characters’ traits & surprises by the third reel.  With forced laughs leading to a power struggle showdown between Gene & Denzel, the inevitable mutiny is doubled in this version with a counter-mutiny.  Then a copout ending, courtesy of Guest Star Jason Robards Jr.  The film a new low for all, but no doubt a particular embarrassment for its two stars.

WATCH THIS, NOT THAT/LINK:  Early in the film, James Gandolfini, one of the uncomfortably fat crew members, quizzes newbies on classic sub movies: THE ENEMY BELOW/’57; RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP/’58.  Both would substitute nicely here.  OR:  For a more contemporary comparison, try THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER/’90.  Its success likely got this the Green Light.  (Note copycat Black & Red posters.)  https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-enemy-below-1957.html  https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2015/03/run-silent-run-deep-1958.html  https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-hunt-for-red-october-1990.html