K-19: The Widowmaker

There are two legitimate questions about this film: is it boring to everybody or is it boring to just Americans? Legitimate because I do think the film would've been received better had the perspective been of the West's, but I too found the film dragged along the seabed a couple times. Once you accept Ford and Neeson's accents and stop listening for every little enunciation, you'll be all the better for it. Bigelow's frantic lens works well to contrast the heavy drama that unfolds.

Such an impressive take on heroism that goes way beyond military imagery and the thriller-under-water genre to explore the intimate reasons that move people in command -- the former captain could, in the end, take over the board, but instead, as a man who was close to his crew, oriented the new captain not to order, but to ask. This brilliant Hawksian tale would be even more explored in her following film, The Hurt Locker.

Sunk

Perhaps the suspense would have been a little more intense had I not mentally categorized the crew into two groups: the pastry chefs and the Hamburglars.

Although Bigelow successfully recreates the claustrophobic atmosphere of the submarine and the performances are solid, the true events that the film is based on are not thrilling enough in order to sustain it. So, unfortunately, the result is neither gripping nor particularly interesting.

One submarine movie is about all Hollywood ever needs. The only thing this movie accomplished was making me feel like I was stuck undewater and couldn't get out.

Given a set-up with so-much in-built tension, it's difficult to go wrong; all you need are two strong leads (check) and a director capable of wringing claustrophobic tension from the confines of the sub (double check). What is interesting about this version involves a key confrontation and decision in the third act - while culturally credible and understandable, I'm not sure it is consistent with the aggressor's past behaviour; it also means the tension deflates from the remainder of the film.

For those who do venture to watch it, you will be rewarded with tense drama and intrigue, and a gripping true account of an event where the fate of humanity hanged in the balance.

It's ok but nothing special.

BOOOOOOORRRRRINGGGG

It's solid, but the accents are all over the place, (really would have been best if they ignored the accents entirely), and there's much better sub movies out there. Still not bad, but not great either.

#00s(e)#, story, (L Neeson, H Ford)

W3E1P1S1V1M1A1R1.

War isn't supposed to be bland...

An exciting and refreshingly American-less story, going for the testosterone and heartstrings at the same time.

A refreshing approach due to a change of perspective for American films, as well as an enjoyable Cold War nuclear submarine film in its own right.

Good, but not nearly as good as some other U-boat movies.

Liam Neeson is the charismatic leader, and Harrison Ford is the uncaring slavedriver, I guess. This is probably a movie that keeps your attention on the first viewing, but you'll be bored by it on repeated viewings. Neat movie, but nothing special.

ok

I thought it was entertaining. Harrison Ford will never not command my attention.

62.500

surprisingly entertaining!

Subs? wat r they eatin a buncha sandwitchs or sumptin?

Although it's highly realistic, anti-communism minimal and bearable, story long but exciting; movie is sucked into militarism (aestheticizing military order, devotion, hierarchy, discipline, blindly obedience, duty ethics). this director has a real problem with military, constantly makes it her fetish -even for the army of the opposite camp, hehe:)) [political commissar of the boat was RIGHT to dismiss such a maniac captain!]

Not bad, but didn't grab me.

good old kathryn bigelow. the accents were amazing. got 63 minutes through.

Lame no suspense.

Blah

"First Sergei, then Lena, now Kathryn. Who knew?" - Ed Gonzalez

FACT: A majority of those penning poor reviews of this film would be raving about it if it was a true story of how 7 US sailors sacrificed themselves by going into a nuclear reactor. But it's dem damn Russkis so they havent. As for the film - I'm pretty sure it's not exactly a true depiction of what happened and think an opportunity was missed to have made a much greater film - what a storyline.It's still pretty good but could have been better.

Good.

2014-06-06

A robust combination of acting and plot. It gets under your skin.

What the heck was Harrison Ford thinking?

Bigelow has her ups and downs, and she certainly dove pretty low with this one. The script is humdrum, and while Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson can be lovable character actors elsewhere, they don't work as Russian submarine commanders. Nobody seems to get the accent right, either.

I nicknamed my penis the widowmaker until I thought about it for a second and realized if my penis was making widows it was probably fucking dudes to death which was not the intended image I imagined when adopting the moniker initially…the movie was pretty good

Very good; but keep in mind I like submarine movies. :-)

An intense and amazing real story almost totally strangulated by wall-to-wall über-pathos (of the worst most monotone kind) and a complete lack suspense.

Crack Cold War thriller that failed to find an audience. Too accurately Russian to bring in American audiences, but too inaccurate historically to satisfy war history geeks.

Pretty decent film made better by the acting.

It is worth taking a look, especially by Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson. The story is well told, but the movie is long and not so attractive. Without the two good actors, would be only a forgettable movie.