A mediocre re-hash of "Das Boot"

Rating: Null/10 (1 May 2000)

I am not really bothered by the historical inaccuracy of this film. I understand that today's audiences want realism, and so do I, but a thriller/adventure can take artistic license if it has to, especially if it has a good idea and an interesting twist. But "U-571" has neither. It has all the typical token characters (even a smack-talking black one) in situations we have seen before. Almost every scene in the movie is a variation of "Das Boot," but shorter and not half as effective. And while "Das Boot" was an excellent and accurate depiction of submarine warfare, "U-571," is just a depiction of what we've already seen in submarine movies (depth gauges going off the line, sailors looking upward, waiting for depth charges to explode, leaking sea water spraying everywhere.) Jonathan Mostow is a very good director; he really kept us guessing and on the edge of our seats in "Breakdown," but he tries way too hard here, and isn't half as successful. It's too bad that this is the project that he claims he has always wanted to do. The only reason to see this film (and not to rent "Das Boot") is that it is in theatres now, and has a hip cast.