I struggled to get through this movie; so I took it in stages interspersed by judicious fast-forwarding. Thank God for technology!
The movie itself was marred by an appalling script and wooden acting. As a "thriller" it was sub-standard, relying on nudity, a bevy of attractive women, and lots of gruesome savagery to maintain a level of interest. The story line alone was incapable of doing that!
The James Weber Brown character was appallingly shallow. Perhaps his sexual interests and his constant lighting up of mini-cigars was considered to be enough character development. It wasn't.
The focus on the Navy was sickening! I served for more than two decades, and I've never met anyone who harps on about the Navy so much as the characters in this movie!
To add insult to this childish portrayal, the Commander (Hugh Bonneville's character) was always in his uniform. Did the script writer and director think Commanders wear their uniforms when at home alone. They don't.
What's even worse is that the Commander's uniforms were always wrong! The Commander's shoulder tabs were back-to-front. (That's worth a round of drinks at the bar for a Sub-Lieutenant; no Commander would ever make such a stupid mistake.) Bonneville's winter uniform sleeve rank covers only the external part of the sleeve. I've seen airline pilots with such rank insignia, but never a real Navy officer.
The writer might have benefited from having a Navy technical adviser - but that might have resulted in large slabs of the movie being deleted!
Apart from such awful howlers, there was nothing in this movie to recommend it. Nudity and shock value don't help it over the line.
The movie itself was marred by an appalling script and wooden acting. As a "thriller" it was sub-standard, relying on nudity, a bevy of attractive women, and lots of gruesome savagery to maintain a level of interest. The story line alone was incapable of doing that!
The James Weber Brown character was appallingly shallow. Perhaps his sexual interests and his constant lighting up of mini-cigars was considered to be enough character development. It wasn't.
The focus on the Navy was sickening! I served for more than two decades, and I've never met anyone who harps on about the Navy so much as the characters in this movie!
To add insult to this childish portrayal, the Commander (Hugh Bonneville's character) was always in his uniform. Did the script writer and director think Commanders wear their uniforms when at home alone. They don't.
What's even worse is that the Commander's uniforms were always wrong! The Commander's shoulder tabs were back-to-front. (That's worth a round of drinks at the bar for a Sub-Lieutenant; no Commander would ever make such a stupid mistake.) Bonneville's winter uniform sleeve rank covers only the external part of the sleeve. I've seen airline pilots with such rank insignia, but never a real Navy officer.
The writer might have benefited from having a Navy technical adviser - but that might have resulted in large slabs of the movie being deleted!
Apart from such awful howlers, there was nothing in this movie to recommend it. Nudity and shock value don't help it over the line.