A time-filler at best. Watch "Das Boot" again instead.

Rating: 3/10 (16 May 2000)

"Das Boot" proved that submarines can provide the settings for claustrophobic action, intense crew interactions, and nail-biting suspense. Unfortunately, "U-571" fails miserably on all three counts. The culprits here are obvious plotting, mediocre acting, and pedestrian direction. The film has one legitimate surprise (no plot spoiler here), but it's way too easy to figure out the rest of the action before it happens. Harvey Keitel fares the best of the cast, but he's stuck with the stereotypical role of the war-hardened chief petty officer. Matthew McConaughey shows no screen presence as the lieutenant who has to take command. As for the direction, the film moved too slowly (especially at the beginning). Since I was always sure of the "U-571"'s outcome (unlike "Das Boot"), the suspense factor was the film's only lure and it was simply too weak.