Atmospheric, but not exactly an Action movie

Rating: 9/10 (12 January 2004)

After mixed reviews, but wanting to see Steve Nicolson's portrayal of Yuri (after his EE stint and the suspect All Men Are Mortal), I wasn't quite sure what to expect (bar some very dodgy Russian accents).
The case of the rental copy I have watched hypes the movie too much, and classes it as 'action' - but although the movie is actually very watchable, if a little harrowing in places, the pace is more gradually intense than action-packed! Harrison is OK, if anything Liam's demoted Captain is arguably the more interesting character, and the supporting cast give a gritty and emotional performances throughout. Aforementioned Mr Nicolson does a good job as the officer who decides to lead a mini-mutiny - although with limited success (without giving too much away). OK the (final) ending may be a little too sentimental for some, although the aging of the two leads is excellently done, and the occasional texts non-too-subtle, but all in all this film has some good moments and is genuinely claustrophobic. When the crew actually see daylight/dry land (well, ice) and play football you almost share in their relief at leaving the enclosed and cramped conditions in the sub!!! Against expectations, an 8/10 as long as you don't take it all too literally.