Not what I expected but still a great disaster movie

Rating: Null/10 (21 July 2002)

I expected to see a war-strategy movie. Although the movie did have an aspect of strategy in the storyline, it was basically a disaster movie. Don't get me wrong, though, it's a good one.
The acting and effects were very convincing. It's funny that the story seemed unrealistic to me, since it's based on actual events. Harrison Ford surprised me by not acting like the resourceful reluctant hero that he seems to have been typecast into. This movie gave him a somewhat original role. Liam Neeson gave about the same level and style of performance that he always does.
It's similar in feel to U-571, but with some major differences. K-19 is not really a war movie, it's a historical disaster movie. K-19 is based more tightly on actual events. K-19 had, in my opinion, more realistic actors. The similarities are look and feel. (Of course, both are set in submarines.) Instead of a climax, the movies were non-stop action. They both give a sort of team-spirit feeling; making viewers think what they would do/be able to in the same situation.)
I highly recommend seeing this movie while it's in the theatre, since it's a totally immersing film; it will be hard to stay grounded.