A sub (ouch)-good movie, that never sinks (hmmm) but fails to rise to be a vessel (groan) for a good picture

Rating: Null/10 (15 September 2002)

So there's this Nazi submarine right? And it's got a code machine on it, the Enigma machine, which is used to transmit codes that the Allies cannot break. Opps - the submarine lands itself into trouble. Now the Allies plan to disguise themselves as the enemy, capture the Nazi submarine, take the machine and safely decipher all future German communications. They have just the man for the job - Lieutenant Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey) and his band of merry men (plus some others along for the ride). Does it all go swimmingly or do some end up as bodies swimming? What do you think?
It's based (loosely enough I imagine considering the furore it caused in certain circles upon release) on real events so I cannot really poke at the plot too much. It's safe to save though it's conventionally structured - introduce characters quickly in a social gathering, have mini-climax in middle leading to final resolution in end (complete with weak character building). It's a tad clichÃ©d (look mommy - the man has learnt a valuable lesson) but not to the point of irritation and the action is never left out long enough to make you into Billy Bored.
Acting? Well Matthew hasn't quite found his wings here yet but does a passable job. Bill Paxton is good, but not in it long. Keitel is mostly great but he doesn't get enough `wise old seaman' lines to deliver. The rest you'll have seen off of TV and low movies (and rock bands). All fine, nothing outstanding. Next.
Jonathan Mostov does a grand enough job directing. There are some genuinely tense moments when the crew are silent in the submarine, waiting to be blown apart by depth charges. The actual gun battles are far less satisfying, feeling mundane with an over-bearing musical accompaniment. Still the pacing is fairly solid and it wouldn't leave me overly worried for his current work on Terminator 3.
U-571 is again an enjoyable enough thriller thing. It's not original but it is satisfying with nothing really much of a letdown (or a pick up). Just above average it deserves a 5.4/10.