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The Movie: Many have certainly compared it to Wolfgang Petersen's classic "Das Boot", and although "U571" isn't as good as that film, I really don't think it tried to be a similar picture. One thing that I am sure of is that director Jonathan Mostow, who first presented audiences with the twisty thriller "Breakdown", is certainly a talent to watch. Although "u571" makes some wrong turns, and doesn't really fill out the characters beyond many surface details, the tension that builds is undeniable. Although we don't find out that much about the characters, the fact that my heart was beating triple-time as well as that I was on the edge of my seat is evidence enough that we at least care about the fate of these characters. The film revolves around a submarine crew summoned to leave their free time to embark on a top-secret mission. Their task is to grab a top secret encoding device from a German submarine and then get the device safely back to shore. I'm not going to go into details about what happens(unfortunately, the trailer ruins that for you), but things certainly take a turn for the worse, and what's left of the crew must head for safety. The crew is headed by Lt. Andrew Tyler(Matt McConaughey), and also includes the Chief(Harvey Keitel), Peter Emett(Jon Bon Jovi) and a sonar operator(Jack Noseworthy). It's not long before the Germans find out what's happened, and make their way after the stolen, crippled submarine. The film takes a little while to get going, introducing us to the legion of lead and supporting characters, and getting the story underway. Once the introductions are over though, the film goes forth at an extremely intense pace, rocketing by while at the same time creating unbelievable tension. In fact, if anything, Mostow doesn't know when to stop - there are a few thrilling scenes towards the end that go on unbearably long, in a good way. The acting delivers quite well, and the biggest suprise has to be Matt McConaughey as Lt. Tyler. We've seen the actor try weak drama ("A Time To Kill") and we've seen him act like an idiot(the awful "EDTV") - nothing before can really prepare for just how good his performance is here - perfectly intense and playing the drama to perfection. Also contributing solid supporting performances are Keitel, Bon Jovi and Jack Noseworthy. "U-571" also delivers in one more element - the sound. Mostow works here with sound designer Jon Johnson("Independence Day", Mostow's "Breakdown") and crew to create an explosive environment, with every detail of the creaking ships to the roar of the depth charge explosions coming through perfectly in a theater with a good sound system. There are some little things in "u571" that don't work, and times where we know where the movie is headed, but overall, it's a ride - and it's an extremely good one that I enjoyed. *** 1/2 |