Facts aside, this is great entertainment

Rating: Null/10 (13 June 2000)

As you've probably gathered by most of the other reviews here, Hollywood has once again fabricated history to suit its own ends.
However, while many Brits were up in arms over Tinseltown's decision to tell their version of the Enigma code breaking events of World War Two, it's not the insult most had expected.
The Enigma device is just the prime goal in what turns out to be a cracking slice of entertainment from Breakdown director Jonathan Mostow.
Matthew McConaughey, up until now a pretty forgettable actor in movies like Contact and the yawnsome A Time To Kill, proves his worth as Lt Andrew Tyler, the wet behind the ears leader of a group of raw recruits sent on a special mission to retrieve the legendary encoding device.
When things go pear-shaped (as expected), Tyler has to save the day.
Armed with only a knackered German U boat and minimal firepower, they take on the might of the Teutonic forces in the form of a battleship which is rarely seen but often heard.
Including Jon Bon Jovi in the movie was a dubious choice but he works quite well in support and although the special effects are okay, the limitations don't get in the way of the action.
As with Gladiator, this is cracking old fashioned entertainment of the type they used to make 40 years ago. Tense direction, some dubious casting (the excellent Bill Paxton and Harvey Keitel look very out of place) and cracking pacing make this well above average.
Had it not been, I suppose it would have been, er, sub-standard entertainment.