The Movie Guys: ‘U-571’ submerges viewers in underwater thrills

Friday, April 21, 2000 | 9:32 a.m.

The Movie Guys, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears Fridays in the Sun. They can also be seen on the 11 a.m. Friday newscast on KVVU Channel 5. Plus, check them out online at: www.lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/ movies and the movieguys.com.

Grades: Jeff, A; Dave, B.

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel, David Keith and Jon Bon Jovi.

Screenplay: Jonathan Moston, Sam Montgomery and David Ayer.

Director: Jonathan Moston.

Rated: PG-13 for adult situations and wartime violence.

Running time: 120 minutes.

Playing at: Rancho Santa Fe 16, Century Orleans 12, Cinedome Henderson, Las Vegas Drive-In, UA Showcase 8, UA Green Valley, UA Rainbow Promenade 10, Regal Cinemas Boulder Station, Regal Cinemas Village Square 18, Regal Cinemas Colonnade 14, Regal Cinemas Texas Station 18.

Synopsis: Lt. Cmdr. Mike Dahlgren skippers the S-33, a vintage U.S. World War I submarine that is older than most of its crew. Even though the vessel is considered primitive and suffers numerous defects, it is a deadly tool in the right hands. Now it is being given the chance to prove its worth again as America enters World War II. The crew's mission is to rendezvous with what is assumed to be a stranded German submarine, pose as Germans and capture a valuable, top-secret coding device that could help the Allies stop the incessant attacks of the deadly wolf packs at sea.

Dave: Riding on the heels of 1998's award-laden "Saving Private Ryan" is the fact-inspired World War II submarine thriller "U-571." Set against the backdrop of 1942 during a nine-month period when enemy codes were unbreakable due to advancements in the Enigma system, a top-secret German coding device, a team is abruptly assigned the task of infiltrating a stranded German U-boat that is believed to carry the Enigma. If the mission is successful, the Allies could take the upper hand in the Atlantic region; if not, the crew becomes expendable. And, of course, this wouldn't be a movie if some unexpected events didn't take place.

Jeff: So simple and effective is "U-571." If you're looking for some deep and complete character development, as in "Hunt for Red October," or "Das Boot," this isn't quite as complete -- but if you're looking for nonstop underwater action and suspense, I cannot think of a better film this year to fill the bill.

We know just enough about the captain and the crew to get through our secret mission. The film parallels "Crimson Tide" in terms of its numerous plot climaxes, random spouting of naval submarine terms and mind-blowing special effects, but the difference between the two is that "U-571" is from an era that lacks any kind of modern technology. The sub is dependent on gears and valves that have to be tripped manually. In other words, you had to work your derriere off just to dive and surface the boat, or just to keep from being spotted by the enemy.

Dave: Star Matthew McConaughey, who plays Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Tyler, has never taken on a more physical role than this, nor headlined in an action film before. His versatility spans numerous movies since his memorable debut in "Dazed and Confused," and the passionate drive and emotional delivery that McConaughey produces simply adds a valuable depth to whatever project he's involved in. And once he and his scarce crew are left aboard the vulnerable U-571, he must assume the leadership position as captain. Doubt had cost him the title in the first place.

Risking his life and the lives of his men, because "it's the job we are assigned to do" for the good of the nation, McConaughey commands our attention. Serving their purposes are supporting actors Harvey Keitel, rocker-turned-actor Jon Bon Jovi and Bill Paxton (in what is becoming a popular Steven Seagal-type role from "Executive Decision").

Jeff: Our detachment from the watered-down characters is clear, because they begin to drop all around in the course of their sworn duty. Director/ co-writer Jonathan Mostow is quickly becoming my favorite director, beginning with his 1997 hit "Breakdown." His skill as a director is evident as he maneuvers the camera effectively around such a confined and isolated space -- the belly of a WWII submarine -- and his flair for suspense is indisputable as the action and story unfold at a furious pace.

Dave: And, Jeff, the movie goes to great lengths to place the audience inside the confined realm of the submarine, where the level of action is at a constant breaking point. At times I found myself literally holding my breath, fearing to swallow, for an explosive charge might go off and have fatal results. The studio admits to omitting scenes to garner a more box office-friendly PG-13 rating, leaving a few speculative questions unanswered and graphic details behind. But does it hinder the film's compelling nature and dramatic pace? Not one bit.

Jeff: I, too, felt trapped inside this U-boat (with its flimsy, inch-thick hull) with all of the elements of intense claustrophobia. I felt at any moment we could sink, be blown apart or blasted out of the water by a German warship. This is war and anything can happen.

Unlike "Saving Private Ryan," which brought the cruel reality of World War II to the modern consciousness, "U-571" is a spy thriller and does contain some cinematic cliches: ordering the sub to dive well below its safety margin; the captain ordering a crew member to his death in order to save them all; and other patriotic antics that will have the audience cheering.

You have little time to collect your thoughts when more dangerous scenarios confront our nine submariners. In the tradition of "Where Eagles Dare," "Run Silent, Run Deep" and "Ice Station Zebra," "U-571" is a tribute to the men who fought for our freedom below the waves and, in the end, changed the face of history.