Crimson Tide

Audience Reviews

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Hermione R Feb 1, 2019 I realize I'm in the minority with my opinion, but here we have a movie that I feel is blinded by its own patriotism and its own importance. The screenplay feels like it's going through the motions far superior films have already set. There's never any real suspense given to the ultimate outcome. It feels like a foregone conclusion from the moment the catalyst event of the motion picture arrives. There are no real heroes in this picture; the same way there are no real villains. That middle-of-the-road mentality might work well for art house pictures that hold no lofty aspirations of dealing with topics of global annihilation. However, for a mainstream movie of this nature, the blurring of the boundaries is more annoying than revealing of its characters natures. Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman seem to be chewing the scenery instead of performing within the backdrop the scenery supposedly creates. Gone are the subtleties we have seen from both men over the previous years. They are simply thrust into a situation which has all the right technical proficiencies for naval operations and none of the heart that our armed forces display on a regular basis. Visually the film is too claustrophobic, even before we follow our stars down into the belly of the submarine. Hackman addressing his men in the rain is a prime example of that. I'm guessing the filmmakers thought this would give the movie atmosphere but the limited visual scope just seems stale. We had seen so much better from director Tony Scott at this point. His optical aesthetics were displayed to maximum effect in films like "The Hunger" and "Days of Thunder." His ability to coax high quality performances out of his cast members seems to have taken a temporary vacation on this outing. There's too much competition in the submarine subgenre of cinema that makes "Crimson Tide," to me, seem average at best. If I want to be crammed like a sardine into a tin can for two hours - or more - I'll take "Das Boot" (or any number of other submarine-based motion pictures) over "Crimson Tide" any day of the week. See more

Ron S Dec 3, 2018 Crimson Tide is surely a wave that comes and goes but as far as it keeps hitting the surface, it gives you a one big wallop of sweat and war inducing debate. Crimson Tide Scott's bull fight of the lead actors going head to head on screen for a better, stronger, smarter punch is persistently convincing us to invest in their ideologies despite of having a non-gripping screenplay. It is surely a mature script. A well balanced and calculative that grims behind the screen for judging you as per the decisions you land upon. Surprisingly, the tense environment that is created which you fret upon will wear down at some point, proves you wrong as the feature ages on screen. And it is not because of its often fumbling script but because of the persona, charisma, and the performance of the cast. Seeking the power for their own reasonings and strong beliefs, Washington and Hackman steals your breath away everytime they share the screen. Washington's merrier and self-righteous portrayal is a straight bullet fired that demands attention. On the other hand, Hackman's provocative and the most human of all role amongst its cast is the apt challenge for Washington to overpower. This well constructed script maybe your textbook thriller drama, but the source from which it extracts the potential to drive this vehicle on both the direction is pure pop chase fun. It depicts nature of each character at its best. And since the source or threat that fuels their decision is mutual, the perspective that varies couldn't be more clear. Having said that, it doesn't suggest that it doesn't have any weak moments. Often or not, it takes its time and over chews stuff for a cinematic purpose. But the fabrication of this submarine is too authentic and grounded for you to fall for such distractions. Crimson Tide is surely a wave that comes and goes but as far as it keeps hitting the surface, it gives you a one big wallop of sweat and war inducing debate. See more

Luke S Sep 24, 2018 meh...its a Hunt for Red October wanna be. Great performance from Denzel, so if you are a Denzel fan its a must watch, fun to try to pick out the Tarantino uncredited dialogue. See more

Draco S Feb 11, 2018 Hackman & Washington go toe-to-toe in a war thriller. Similar to The Hunt For Red October, but better. One of Denzel's great roles along with Training Day See more

Harry W Dec 30, 2017 Gene Hackman as a Navy submarine captain is excellent, as usual, but the script for this mostly exciting film includes an unfortunate and unnecessary race card element. Denzel Washington is reliable as Hackman's second-in-command, but both these characters are not as likable as they should be. See more

Anakin M Dec 24, 2017 Treating its claustrophobic surroundings as a world unto its own, tension and action flare with the greatest of ease in a contest between ego and fear, the prize being the state of all humanity, within and without. See more

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Crimson Tide

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