Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
Member since:29.08.2002
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With the war effort hanging in the balance and the German navy controlling the Atlantic water ways the British and American armies need a breakthrough. So when a German Submarine is hit and left stranded on the American side of the Atlantic dividing line the opportunity to recover an enigma code machine is a must. The American's send a team in to recover the machine but they end up stuck on the German Sub in a race to friendly territory as the German Navy slowly but surely learn of their efforts and try to stop the American's and the stolen German submarine.
I've always been a fan of Submarine movies and it was for that very reason that I sat down to watch U-571. I'd seen a lot of adverts for it prior to seeing it and the appeal of a Submarine movie was too much to put off seeing it. The resulting film, while disappointing for one reason I'll get into shortly was actually a pretty decent fictional piece of work. The movie was entertaining and for me that is certainly the most important aspect. It does have its negative points, but that doesn't stop it from being an enjoyable movie to waste a couple of hours on a rainy evening.
The film is directed and written by Jonathan Mostow, who was also the man behind the camera for Terminator 3 and the new version of The Swiss Family Robinson. The special effects look very impressive with the explosions and the general look of the movie. The scenes inside the Submarine are very realistic and I think that really adds to the overall effect and enjoyment of the film. The cast, while a little unusual at the time, work incredibly well and I think that is largely down to Mostow's direction.
My complaint though comes in the form of the actual story and the twist on history he has created to make this movie. He has totally rewritten the story behind the capture of the first enigma machine and I personally felt this would have been much better had he stuck to the original story. Had this actual been a totally fictional event then this would have made for a really good film, but as it is a key moment in one of the biggest events in History it seems a shame that it has been rewritten in such a way to portray it as an American achievement.
The cast are made up of quite an unusual assortment of actors. In the lead role Matthew McConaughey was a surprising choice in the lead role. I wasn't particularly aware of his work back in 2000 but this was really the first film he'd started in that I'd taken notice of. His performance as the captain of the mission is quite assured and despite a slightly dodgy accent I think he pulled off the lead role very well. It was an astute performance that really made the film a lot better than it potentially could have been due to the story.
While McConaughey was an odd choice at the time in the lead role, the supporting roles for Harvey Keitel and Bill Paxton were also impressive. Both actors have a good pedigree behind them and it's perhaps another reason why this movie was such a success. In fact Keitel's performance really stole the show from McConaughey as well and made him my favourite character in the movie. The most surprising role though was filled by singer Jon Bon Jovi who along with other supporting cast members made this a decent movie.
Overall this is a decent film and despite the let down in the storyline due to the historical inaccuracies it is a decent film. It takes the key ingredients of a decent story and creates an enjoyable and entertaining movie. It's perhaps not one to watch with your significant other and it does involve you paying attention, but it's a small price to pay for a decent movie. If your stuck for 116 minutes of War based, fictional entertainment then I can certainly recommend U-571.
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Great review...Hollywood just have to make America always be the heroes. Hmm can imagine Hollywood making Churchill out as an American. Well maybe not. Couldn't really take this film seriously anyway with Jon Bon Jovi starring. Cheers, James.
starsally 13.05.2003 12:01
Never saw this... At the time I remember all the hype about America annotating the true story and changing it by making America the hero!! No surprises there hey! Sal xc
emmorticia 08.05.2003 20:00
Not my type of thing, but Jon Bon Jovi attempting to act? Now that's GOT to be seen! Em x
If you've never seen a submarine drama before, thenU-571will probably make a good ... more
impression as a tautly choreographed piece of entertainment. A strong cast led by Matthew McConaughey's sympathetic Lt. Tyler undertakes a perilous mission to seize a Ger...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
If you've never seen a submarine drama before, thenU-571will probably make a good ... more
impression as a tautly choreographed piece of entertainment. A strong cast led by Matthew McConaughey's sympathetic Lt. Tyler undertakes a perilous mission to seize a Ger...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
If you've never seen a submarine drama before, thenU-571will probably make a good ... more
impression as a tautly choreographed piece of entertainment. A strong cast led by Matthew McConaughey's sympathetic Lt. Tyler undertakes a perilous mission to seize a Ger...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
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If you've never seen a submarine drama before, thenU-571will probably make a good ... more
impression as a tautly choreographed piece of entertainment. A strong cast led by Matthew McConaughey's sympathetic Lt. Tyler undertakes a perilous mission to seize a Ger...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
![U-571 [DVD] [2000]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78522839.jpg "U-571 [DVD] [2000]")
![U-571 [DVD] [2000] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/69887853.jpg "U-571 [DVD] [2000] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]")
May 7th, 2003
(Jun 24th, 2008)
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![U-571 [HD DVD] [2000] [US Import]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/70670223.jpg)
