The Final Countdown
Here Is What You Need To Know:
Some films are just too much fun and one just must ignore the silliness of their premise. The Final Countdown is certainly one of those films because the concept, while silly, is just plain fun. A modern aircraft carrier is transported back to just days before the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. How does the aircraft carrier end up being transported decades into the past? Well, there is this vortex...and stop asking those kind of questions it just happens okay?!
The crew have a dilemma-do they use their modern, 1980 modern here, aircraft against the Japanese fleet and thus preventing Pearl Harbor from being torn to bits or do they let history unfold? This question and how everything unfolds is what makes The Final Countdown fun. This is definitely escapism, pure and simple, and it is the kind of movie that our friends out in LA just don't want to make anymore, but if you like science-fiction you will probably enjoy The Final Countdown, warts and all.
What Was Cool:
-The concept is cool whether you like war movies or not. Which it should be pointed out that The Final Countdown is not exactly a war movie in the traditional sense, as it is more of a movie that stimulates the audience to constantly ask themselves, “what would you do?”
-Martin Sheen and Kirk Douglas are quite believable and quite good.
-The film builds a nice sense of suspense.
What Was Stupid:
-There is not really a very solid explanation of how the ship is sent back in time and considering that this pivotal fact is vitally important to the film, that is a big problem. If you can look past this flaw, you'll have a good time.
The Film's Real Genius or Geniuses:
Director Don Taylor, who also directed the original Island of Dr. Moreau, does a fine job as The Final Countdown stands out as one of his very best contributions.
Overlooked Performance/Accomplishment:
Kirk Douglas performance was really quite, quite fun.
Story B (The story has its problems, but the idea and the dilemma presented work to keep audiences involved.)
Use of Science C
Acting A
Portrayal of Women C
Visuals-Visuals and Special Effects B (By the standard of the day obviously.)
Visuals-Set Design/Props B
Wardrobe/Costumes A
Style/Sex Appeal C
Enjoyability Grade B
Home Theater/HD Factor B
Gut Check (Level of Studio Executive Guts) B
Overall Innovation B
Overall Grade B
A Little Fact About Cherie:
I don't like senseless war films but this war film had some brains to it.
|
