Latest entry in a great tradition is more than up to the test.

Rating: Null/10 (23 April 2000)

Make no mistake, even if it is a bit weak on historical accuracy, "U-571" is one to rank with "Run Silent, Run Deep," "Ice Station Zebra," and "The Bedford Incident" as one of the great submarine movies of all time.
Set in the early days of World War II, when the allies were taking a massive walloping, it deals with the efforts of a handful of submarine crewmen to retrieve a valuable coding device from a partially disabled German submarine, the eponymous vehicle. I won't give away anymore of the plot than that, except to say that, if you're looking for an action-packed thrill-ride of a movie, "U-571" delivers and than some.
The performances are all top-notch, particulary Matthew Macaughnehy as the executive officer who suddenly finds himself in command. His crew includes always reliable Harvey Keitel (who should get an Emmy nomination for "Fail-Safe," but probably won't) and a suprisingly good Jon Bon Jovi. I almost didn't recognize Tom "The Sandlot" Guiry, all grown up, but he turns in a good performance, as well, as the young crewman who manages to save the mission but loses his own life in the process.
In short, if you're looking for one of the best action pictures to come along in years, "U-571" is definitely it.