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Crimson Tide (1995)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:40
Fresh:35
Rotten:5
Average Rating:7.5/10
Runtime: 1 hr 56 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: When Russian rebels gain control of nuclear weapons in the USSR, the United States retaliates by deploying the USS Alabama, a nuclear submarine commanded by Captain Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman).... When Russian rebels gain control of nuclear weapons in the USSR, the United States retaliates by deploying the USS Alabama, a nuclear submarine commanded by Captain Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman). Veteran soldier and Naval legend Ramsey selects Lt. Commander Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington)--a Harvard graduate who prefers using brains over weapons--as his Executive Officer. While submerged, the Alabama is attacked by a Russian sub and loses radio contact just as an order is being transmitted from headquarters. Old Navy dog Ramsey firmly believes that the interrupted transmission ends with an order to fire their nuclear missiles at the Russian rebels. Hunter, desperate to avoid starting World War III, is determined to re-establish radio contact and act only after complete orders are received. Without the second-in-command's agreement, the missiles cannot be launched, and soon Ramsey and Hunter are engaged in a tense battle of wills, forcing the crew to choose sides. In the tradition of TOP GUN and TRUE ROMANCE, director Tony Scott keeps the tension running high in this fast-paced military thriller. Hackman scores as the tradition-bound Ramsey, and Washington is superb as the thoughtful young officer who feels compelled to take a stand against his superior. [More]
Starring: Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Viggo Mortensen, George Dzundza
Starring: Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Viggo Mortensen, George Dzundza, Matt Craven, James Gandolfini, Rocky Carroll, Jaime P. Gomez, Danny Nucci, Rick Schroder, Steve Zahn, Jason Robards, Chris Ellis
Director: Tony Scott
Director: Tony Scott
Screenwriter: Michael Schiffer, Richard P. Henrick
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer, Don Simpson
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Reviews for Crimson Tide
I don't know what the full Naval procedure is to launch nuclear weapons, but I hope to God it's more structured and fail-safe than what we see in this film.
Crimson Tide is like that promising good-looking first date who ruins everything by talking.
For a movie that's all about a bunch of men locked in small metal rooms, Crimson Tide is mighty engaging.
What really makes the film a class act, however, is that there are complex characters dealing with complicated issues and it never cops out to simplicity.
Post-Cold War thriller set aboard a Trident ballistic nuclear submarine.
It's too slick to be truly disturbing, but it's that slickness that keeps you on the edge of your chair.
Because of the contained environment, submarines make great settings for thrillers, with the throbbing of the engines sounding like a pulse. Crimson Tide is no exception -- the atmosphere alone is sufficient to keep the audience on edge.
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