Rating: 
Summary: Tora Tora Time Tunnel
Review: Released just about a year before Speilberg's "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" upped the ante on audience expectations for big-screen adventure fantasy, Don Taylor's cultish 1980 sci-fi time travel thriller feels a bit lumbering in retrospect. Stalwart and noble Kirk Douglas is well cast as captain of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, assigned duty to modern-day Pearl Harbor. When a mysterious electro-magnetic storm sends the entire ship hurtling back to December 6, 1941, you've got a real corker of a setup. Unfortunately, once everyone figures out the Where and When We Are and the What We Can Do To Change The Course Of History, the film is about three-quarters over, and the denouement seems anti-climatic. Interestingly, the most tense, gripping moment in the film has nothing to do with big special effects but takes place on board the ship when a captured Japanese pilot, confused, angry and scared out of his wits, makes a desperate and doomed attempt to escape. The violence in this scene is unexpectedly realistic, genuinely shocking, and well played by all the actors involved. A good cast and compelling premise keeps you watching, but be warned that the film sags almost fatally in places (one too many drawn-out, jingoistic sequences of fighter planes taking off and landing on the carrier deck to the strains of an overbearingly "stirring" score). All that being said, this is a movie I know I will watch again! Go figure.
Rating:
Summary: The Time Machine revisited... on the Nimitz...
Review: For so many years I have waited for this movie to reappear in its original widescreen format and with better sound than at the movie theatres, and now I own it, and am disappointed.This refers to the single-disc edition, and I don't think that the very limited 2-disc edition is worth the price, just to watch some Navy pilots blabbering about how well they fly.
It is only too obvious that they have to do a good job, in order to lift-off and land on an aircraft carrier in motion. No. I am more disappointed about the fact of the dated special effects. For once, I am more caring about the effects than the acting.
Nothing wrong with the acting, actually the best part of the movie, with actors such as Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen and Charles Durning. No. It is truly the effects that are totally outdated and that could have been digitally enhanced with modern CG technology, a bit as they have already done with the Star Wars trilogy and other similar movies of that period. Especially the so-called "time-tunnel storm", which in itself is impressive, as a concept, not as the actual effect, could have been given a special treatment from the guys at ILM, and since this is a key scene which recurs in the movie, I would have expected for this edition to be enhanced, but instead nada. Same applies for the aircraft battle scenes, in which one can clearly see that some are plain model kits out of the box.
For Heavens sake, didn't anybody notice it?
Such a fine movie, with a very original story and such fine actors, loses out in the one thing that matters most in a film of this genre: its visual and graphic effects. In comparison, movies like The Philadelphia Experiment or even Buckaroo Banzai, did a far better job in the effects department, and even if they're a bit dated in today's comparison, still they are a fresh reminder of how a creative mind can change even the most primitive effect into something spectacular to the eye. Instead, Final Countdown, falls short in this instance, with very flat and primitive SFX, which should have been corrected and enhanced for the re-release of such a commemorative DVD. Concerning the image quality in itself, and the sound, there is nothing to criticize, quite the contrary, they are even better than the original theatrical release. Still one would have expected a little bit more and not just in the bonus department, which at least, from what I have read, has not much to offer.
Besides, in both version, there is just one commentary, as if Martin Sheen was too busy, and even if Kirk Douglas is not in the best of shapes, at least his son Michael, could have made an effort to appear in the commentary section.
But as we all know, many people consider sitting to comment a movie, an abismal shame, since it is not so well retributed. Yet this is still part of a service to the audience and since the audience is ultimately the one who decides whether a movie is worth it or not, it seems that in this case, all parties involved were too busy doing something else, such as sunbathing.
Good for them! So then, why all this mumbo jumbo about a re-release, when no one seemed to care anyway, not even the producers?
Go figure. But at the price offered, it is far too poor to be enjoyed.
No wonder, when one sees what other titles "Blue Underground" has to offer. Jess Franco's classics no less!
And who's Jess Franco, if not a second rate director from Spain?
As if he were the Orson Welles of that venerable country.
Ever heard of Luis Bunuel or Carlos Saura?
Jess Franco is not even the Sergio Leone of Spain. Far, far from it. And he's not even a Roger Corman, master of the B-movies.
So what is he, to be so vastly acclaimed in the list of movies here, among which "The Final Countdown" is truly out of place. C'mon, couldn't the original studio pick it up and do a better job with it?
Unfortunately I cannot remember if it was released through Universal or through some other major studio, but being a Bryna Production (Kirk Douglas' own company), I would not be astonished if it were. Pity. Other than that and if you have the money to invest, buy it, but if you are bit short, stick to the original "Time Machine" or better still, buy Disney's "20,000 Leagues under the Sea", or again 20th Century-Fox's "Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Now there you have your full money's worth!
Stick to the true classics and you will never go wrong.
I give you my word for it.
Rating: 
Summary: Beats Top Gun Hands Down
Review: I just finished viewing this exceptional release of 'The Final Countdown' and am amazed that the HD transfer came through so well from a 24 year old negative! This film combines the best elements of the action, fantasy and sci-fi genres and wraps it all up in a real 'popcorn' movie. Since it had been so long since I'd seen it, it was like watching a brand-new release. The trailers on disc I are in mono and what a revelation when the movie starts with an all-new THX logo specifically created for this film (a la T2 and Toy Story) and then the Dolby Digital 6.1 kicks in. Wow! I don't have a 6.1 setup or DTS, but both are available on this disc.
The reason it outdoes 'Top Gun' is in storyline. As in 'Top Gun' actually had no discernible plot.
If you enjoy time paradoxes, this is a must see film, especially in this outstanding DVD presentation. A keeper!
Rating: 
Summary: "This Is the U.S.S. Nimitz...Where the Hell Are We?"
Review: "What if...?" It's a question people often ask themselves, especially when mulling over past events. "What if I'd gotten up the nerve to ask her out?" "What if I'd stood up to my boss?" "What if the U.S. had never gotten involved in the Vietnam war?" "What if the Nazis had developed the atomic bomb before the United States?" Well, director Don Taylor's 1980 science-fiction flick THE FINAL COUNTDOWN--a long-standing cult favorite to many genre fans--asks the audience to ponder THIS question: "What if a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier had been part of the U.S. Navy's arsenal at the beginning of WWII?" The plot? The U.S.S. Nimitz, a modern-day nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, gets scooped into a mysterious weather anomaly and is thereby transported back to the year 1941 on the eve of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Once the captain and crew accept the fact that they have traveled back in time, the story revolves around their struggle in deciding whether or not technology from 1980 should be used to aid the WWII-era Navy and thereby change the course of history by thwarting the infamous Japanese air raid. In many respects, THE FINAL COUNTDOWN is a somewhat clichéd time-travel adventure that some critics have likened to an expanded version of one of the substandard episodes of THE TWILIGHT ZONE. While it is true that the film's premise isn't the freshest of ideas, and though some of the special FX--especially those representing the time portal--are rather cheesy, excellent performances from principals Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen and from supporting actors Katharine Ross, James Farentino, and Ron O'Neal raise this fantasy film way above the standard Hollywood B-grade science-fiction fare. In addition, the movie was lensed aboard the actual Nimitz with full cooperation from the U.S. Navy, and this creates a sense of genuine realism and authenticity rarely offered by SF and fantasy flicks. (Indeed, some critics and film historians have lauded the film for its documentary-like depiction of Naval personnel in action.) Blue Underground's new DVD versions of THE FINAL COUNTDOWN are just this side of SF heaven, especially for longtime fans of the film. The widescreen edition offers a pristine anamorphic high-definition transfer of the movie that was made from the original camera negative. In addition, there is an interesting feature commentary with Victor J. Kemper, the film's director of photography. Hard-core fans will want to get the Special Limited Edition two-disc set, which, in addition to all the features of the single-disc version, provides a second disc chock-full of other interesting goodies such as an interview with associate producer Lloyd Kaufman (yes, THAT Lloyd Kaufman, co-founder and president of fun-but-cheesy Troma Studios); an interview with The Jolly Rogers, the F-14 air squadron featured in the film; a Kirk Douglas bio; a gallery with lots of cool pics related to the film; and some other cool stuff specifically for DVD-ROM users.
Rating:
Summary: The Final Countdown (Widescreen version)
Review: Having served onboard the USS Nimitz during filming of this movie I couldn't wait until it came out for purchasing. The ratings I read on the first company that released the movie was not good so I didn't buy it. I was a little gun-shy about this release. Having read some of the reviews and viewing it I am quite please at my purchase and have order the two disc special edition. With the excellent quality of the film and the super photography I recommend this movie (especially this release from Blue Underground) for anyone interested in aircraft carrier operations.
Rating: 
Summary: What A Jip!
Review: Talk about a tease and a waste of time. I saw this in the theaters when it came out and thought then that it was a waste of time. I wanted to like this show, but I couldn't. You want to see the US Navy kick the tar out of the Imperial Japanese Fleet, but they don't. They plan to kick the tar out of them, then don't. Your ready for a can of whip azz to be opened up and it ain't. It's just a huge string along until you get to the point when we're gonna attack and then.....we don't again. BAH! I suppose the writers were either not very creative or were all wrapped up in the Gordian knot of paradox. WELL PARADOX DOSEN'T EXIST! The other point I would make here is how could they make this into a 2 disk movie? What extra's could they possibly show? Something like the director saying "...and here is where we almost attacked the Japanese fleet...." Boring! The acting is sub-par also. If you want a great take on time travel and its consequences, read the Time Ships. Now thats a story!
Rating:
Summary: ¿Who are you people?¿
Review: What would have happened if an aircraft carrier of today (1980) went back in time to the Pearl Harbor of December 7, 1941? Kirk Douglas (along with a great cast of actors) finds out when a storm (unlike any he has ever seen) transports him back there. Will this make a difference in history? What would you do? I originally saw this movie in the theater. It is really a long advertisement for the technology of the day (1980). However I still find my self watching this every time it comes on TV. It is time to buy the DVD (be aware that there is a wide range of DVD quality out there; best to pick the two disk limited edition) incase they stop showing it. I find my self kibitzing and wondering what would have happened if they stayed a little longer.
Rating:
Summary: Blue Underground version is AWESOME!
Review: I'll echo the other reviews regarding the Blue Underground 2-disc special edition. The quality of this dvd is outstanding! The digital transfer of both audio and video is first-rate, and really brings out the best of this great movie. After not seeing this film for many years, the aerial scenes are even better than I remembered (THX/DTS sound definitely helps), and arguably better than Top Gun (no studio F-14 cockpits - real cockpits in the air with real pilots). Check out the featurettes to find out how close some of the aerial close-ups really got! Being a former aviation ordnanceman, I felt a surge of pride seeing the red-shirts bustin out some serious munitions. Keep in mind - in most films where the military aircraft are real, all the ordnance you see is not. Since most moviegoers don't know the difference, filmmakers don't bother to alter the inert markings on the bombs and missiles (they'd have to do it in post-production, because the Navy may let them film, but altering ordnance is a no-no). Likewise, any firing of ordnance is simulated with special effects. Obviously, this is due to safety and cost, and directors' perceptions of what it "should" look like. I guess the policy was a little different in 1980, because I see a surprising amount of live stuff in The Final Countdown, including live, fused, Mk-82 bombs, a real Sidewinder missile shoot and what certainly appears to be live 20mm cannon fire from an F-14. That was near impossible to fake in 1980, especially considering the quality of storm effects in the movie. Of course, they cut to the zero using a smoke generator, or the model plane bursting into flames, but everything you see on the F-14's before that is genuine. I don't think they made blanks for the M61 Vulcan then, so that burst of smoke means rounds were going down-range (if you look closely frame-by-frame you can see about 2 or 3 projectiles zipping out, although the camera angle would make any water impacts out of frame). Apparently, much of the carrier ops filmed were part of a live Navy exercise, and the film crew was just in the right place at the right time to get some great footage. It is rare you see that kind of stuff outside of a serious military or war documentary, especially as a major part of the plot in a feature film with top-notch photography! Although there is certainly some movie magic in The Final Countdown (some of it not so magical anymore), what makes it a remarkable and classic film is the amount of it that is real aircraft, real military operations, real sailors and pilots and "aviators", and really cool flying. This dvd was well worth the wait, and thanks to the other reviewers here, I avoided the Pacific Family Entertainment version. Thanks Blue Underground!
Rating:
Summary: This production deserves a HIGHER rating than 5 stars
Review: I originally bought this movie from PACIFIC FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT in DECEMBER of 2002 to give to my son as a CHRISTMAS PRESENT. Not ever having done any business with PACIFIC FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT I got them to confirm that the DVD was DIGITALLY REMASTERED! When I got it, I analyzed the picture VIA computer and found that it was really ANALOG and copied from tape [Probably VHS]. I sent PACIFIC FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT a detailed letter explaining what I had found. I never heard back from anyone there. Probably because I found out why their production of this movie was so SUBSTANDARD. Then earlier this year I learned that BLUE UNDERGROUND was going to DIGITALLY remaster both the audio & video from the ORIGINAL negative . I bought the movie and just watched it. It's much better than anything ever made including the ORIGINAL THEATER RELEASE! Part of BLUE UNDERGROUND's review is that they are only going to produce 100,000 copies of this CLASSIC. If they do, some MOVIE LOVERS are going to miss out!
Rating:
Summary: I'LL BET YOU WANT TO JOIN THE NAVY NOW!
Review: I am one happy man! After waiting anxiously for this special 2-disc version from Blue Underground (unwilling to purchase the pitiful version from Pacific Family Entertainment...AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE!), I finally viewed it last night. Are you kidding!? This disc is now one of my top ten in both the movie itself and most especially for the incredible production values put into this ultimate disc from BLUE UNDERGROUND; they are now my favorite production company. The video is perfectly clear, and the sound will bring down the walls. The opening sequence of the film is now one of my all-time favorites now that I've seen it widescreen and with remastered sound. The way the director holds the shot of the F-14 taking off and the pilot's dialog with Pearl Tower prior to takeoff must be experienced. This disc is definitive proof that when a production company takes the time to do it right (THX, widescreen, extras, etc.) the resultant experience can be euphoria. Ever since I bought "ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST", I have hoped that all discs would be treated with the same loving care and production values. Well BLUE UNDERGROUND has done just that!!!
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