Routine action flick.. good but not great

Rating: Null/10 (4 June 2000)

As an avid fan of submarine films, I had been eagerly awaiting the release of 'U-571', in the event though, I was to be dissappointed. I was already aware of the historical innaccuracy of the plot; it being the British and NOT the Americans that captured the Enigma machine, a fact that the film only acknowledges during the end credits- definitely too little too late!!
The film itself starts out with the premise that the much sought enigma machine is at last within reach, and a mission to retrieve it is hastily conceived. For the first half hour or so, the plot has a flavour of 'The Hunt for Red October', with the daring mission under way. After a plot twist (anticipated from the simple fact that the film still has over an hour to run!!) the film becomes reminiscent of a sub-based 'Memphis Belle'.
The acting performances are unusually wooden, I was particularly disappointed with Bill Paxton, who is capable of much more. A notable exception being Harvey Keitel, who delivers a great performance as the chief. The effects were adequate, but not outstanding, the depth charge effects when the boat was visibly shaken were the most memorable. I did notice a few possible historical innaccuracies that I will have to check out (Did the German Navy have ASDIC in 1942??), but apart from those the film was generally watchable, although I would rather reccommend 'Das Boot' (1981).