See the director's cut of Das Boot!

Rating: 6/10 (25 April 2000)

There is nothing tragically wrong or flawed with this film. The actors do a fine job in their roles, as such. But, like other Hollywood films, it is loud, full of shaking camera shots, and more of a coaster ride than a film. There are a few quiet and well done scenes, but I strongly feel that I would have been lost if I had not already seen the director's cut of "Das Boot" in January. That film sets up the sheer terror of war in a submarine. It is long, grueling, and incredibly well done. U-571, like many Hollywood blockbuster films is for the masses, sort of a watered down version of Wolfgang's masterpiece.
I do think this is a gutsier film than many that Hollywood gives us. I don't feel it is a spoiler to say that some stars do die, this is not the "everyone will survive and be a hero" film. But, the explosions and shaking cameras overwhelm the experience, not enough time spent in character development. These are basic, cardboard characters, we've seen many of them before, and we are sure to see many again. I gave it 6/10.