U-571 - Collector's Edition

Rating:
Summary: U-571 the nazi killer submarine
Review: the movie was very good all it needed was more germens and much longer like as long as saving private ryan!

Rating:
Summary: a good movie!
Review: This is a really good war movie. Yes, historically it is inaccurate but the themes of patriotism, courage and valor trascend that fact. The DVD version has interviews with actual participants of the engagement (British navy, not American)which brings the historical aspect into proper perspective

Films are ALWAYS adaptations and never truly historical, always being focused through the eyes of the director, and anyone who doesn't enjoy this film just because of the historical inaccuracies fails to understand the complexities of historical perspectives, as well as the adaptability of film making. The film teaches sacrifice and courage, lessons that can be learned without being completely accurate historically. Suspend your need for accuracy, and watch the movie for deeper lessons to learn about war.

Rating:
Summary: Don't
Review: I really like the main plot of this movie, that us North Americans are unexpectedly pulled into a developing war. Despite the fact that there were subtitles, I ran into a few problems since I only speak English and Russian, and not German. The camera goes back and forth between the Americans and Germans so that the viewer has the entire point of view, which I don't like because it adds to predictability. Then, when the Americans take over the German sub, everything is said so technically and is confusing as all out. They could have made the sub engine gears more subtle, and focused on the battle, but they didn't.

In conclusion, the first half was fairly good, but the rest is REALLY REALLY hard to sit through. Try "Crimson Tide". This is a no go.

Rating:
Summary: Intense suspense war epic!
Review: "U-571" is a pleasing and very exciting movie, one that can be enjoyed by followers and non-followers of war movies alike. It's one of those all-encompassing movies that has something in it for everyone: dazzling visual and sound effects for tech junkies, a gripping story based on similar events of war, and suspense and action for those looking to be surprised. This is a summer blockbuster that actually pleases its crowds, and certainly a movie that ranks with some of the best and most well-known war movies in Hollywood.

The movie begins, fittingly enough, in the German submarine after which the movie is named, and the Germans have just finished bombing an American ship. Soon after, they are set upon by a destroyer, which depth-charges the fragile vessel and leaves it crippled and in need of repairs. They send a call our for help, which is found by the Americans. This provides them with the opportunity to crack the secret code the Germans have been using by boarding the damaged vessel under the guise of German soldiers and stealing the Enigma, which houses the codes.

The beginning of the movie allows us to get to know our American characters, with whom we will be spending a great deal of time during the movie. We are introduced to Captain Andrew Tyler, who has just found out that he did not receive the position of captain as he had hoped. His commander, Lieutenant Commander Mike Dahlgren, feels he does not have what it takes to be a captain at this point, and that his emotional connection to his shipmates would prevent him from putting them in situations of potential danger.

Soon, our men are on their sub, heading out to sea, where they encounter the German submarine, take the crew hostage, and swipe the Enigma and code book to bring back to the attention of the U.S. Armed Forces. However, the German sub that responded to their call for help destroys the American sub, killing the German hostages and some Americans, leaving the rest of the crew on the German sub with Tyler as their captain. As their special ops mission turns into a race for survival, Tyler must make the right decisions in order to keep his crew alive and ship afloat as they near hostile waters on their way to safety.

The plot of the story follows a pretty basic pattern that is intensified by the suspense of the action sequences and the way in which Mostow works his magic with the camera. I found myself guessing what was going to happen in certain scenes of the movie, mainly because after seeing the trailer, I knew there was more that had to happen than just allowing the sub to sink and the Germans to win. And as much as the story does for its characters and their will to survive, I knew that the script would not shortchange them in the long run. This really doesn't hinder the story, though; it still has a lot to offer.

Mostow has done a masterful job in creating an atmosphere that is tightly cramped and perilous all at the same time. The lighting used for the insides of the sub is merely the lights actually shown, not offscreen, giving it an authentic and real feel. The crew finds themselves huddled tightly together at times during sequences in which depth charges are deployed to harm the ship, which adds to the sense of small space while also keeping us at bay with the question of whether or not the vessel will make it through the treachery of the explosions. The depth charges provide the most ominous threat to the vessel, which is carried out on film in a most intense manner. The first set of explosions takes place outside of the vessel, where we can see everything that's going on, while the second set keeps us inside the sub so that all we can do is hold our breath with the crew and wait for the explosions to end.

The fact that the movie can set up this kind of connection is a testament to its brilliance. Mostow is able to bring us into the movie with the characters, giving us bird's-eye views of the action as well as taking us right into the middle of it. Either way, the effect is truly awesome, showing us a different kind of warfare that can be just as intense and terrifying as hand-to-hand and firearm combat on land. When the movie was over, I felt jolted and out of breath; the movie simply delivers the goods.

The visual and sound effects also help to bring us into the movie's rich canvas as well. Miniatures and life-size vessels were used in the filming of the actual submarine, and while the effects that surround it may be digitized, it helps to have something that is real to harness the look and acuity of the shot. The sound design and use of the elements available is tremendous and pleasing, with a low bass frequency playing pretty much throughout the entire movie to create a sense of tension. This is one of those big, loud effects movies that, even if you don't care for the story, will please on its visuals and sound alone.

Casting is an important factor in bringing out the emotion and depth, and this one, an all-star ensemble, does just that. Matthew McConaughey is the ambitious Lieutenant Andrew Tyler, who is the strongest of the characters. He is portrayed as earnest in his endeavors to save his crew, while keeping the movie from degenerating into a blatant effects show. Harvey Keitel is Chief Klough, a pivotal character who advises and aides Tyler in some pretty tight situations. He keeps Tyler from losing his cool, which is important for the movie. Bill Paxton plays Lieutenant Dahlgren, and while his character has little screen time, he does well in keeping us informed of the events at hand. Jake Weber is a convincing Lieutenant Hirsch, who knows everything about the mission and plays his character with integrity and intelligence.

One of the better war films to come out of Hollywood, "U-571" follows an intense and gripping storyline that delivers the goods to even those who don't follow the war film trend. Under the direction of Jonathon Mostow, who also directed the thriller "Breakdown," the film contains a stellar cast that knows what it's doing and superb visual and sound effects that add to the atmosphere of suspense.

Rating:
Summary: The real story
Review: A couple of things to take note of regarding this movie: 1. Sound Quality: This DVD is encoded with the DTS (the best available right now)format and its sound quality is superb. The action scenes make you feel like you are right in the middle of the action. I can't fathom anyone making derogatory remarks about the sound. Running this DVD with Boston Acoustics speakers and a Velodyne sub; the depth charges rattled the window!!! If you have trouble with the sound on this DVD, I highly recommend you check to see if your HT is hooked up correctly!! 2. The story: This story is not historically accurate of the Enigma capture. WHO CARES. This is not a movie for the History Chanel, it is a Hollywood action/drama. If you have a vested interest in the historical accuracy then you won't like this film. If you are looking for a good hollywood production with a story line a little different from the typical car chase crap then this is for you.

Rating:
Summary: Hollywood FICTION!!!
Review: If you're looking for digital effects and good quality picture(one star each)clear night scenes, thundering sound effects for your HT system) and cowboy type action, buy it. If you're sensitive mowie fan with taste, who wonts more than just sound and picture this film is not what you're looking for. A just another Hollywood hi tech FICTION. Nothing to do with truth and facts from that era (maby wasn't intended to be), it is a disapointmet. The Enigma machine along with it's cracked code and three young matematicians was delivered to England and France in 1939 by Poland's secrete service. How come the British don't mention that fact? The capture of actual nazi Uboat belongs to Britain Royal Navy. Mr. Mostow! if you're using such a huge historical fact which ENIGMA represents please do some library research or at least ask historians. Cannot rate it any higher than **. "Das Boot" is still #1 in this category, a clasic movie with the sense of truth, simplicity and soul in it(also unbelievable sound effects) that make you watch it over nad over again...U-571 is not.

Rating:
Summary: Enormous Fraud
Review: Why must Hollywood continue to produce films like this that are complete nonsense, with absolutely no bearing on the facts of what happened regarding the cracking of the Enigma codes?

I am sorry Mr. Loesch, but you are sadly misinformed if you believe the US had ANY impact on the breaking of these codes. Alan Turing and several Polish mathematicians, using Enigma machines captured BY THE BRITISH, solved the first set of codes in 1943, IIRC. Germany changed the codes again, which left the Allies in a virtual blackout for almost a year.

If I was from the UK, I would boycott this film. From the european perspective, it must be very frustrating to see American portray themselves as the saviors of Europe in WW2, which is simply not what happened. The fact is, is that 9 out of 10 Germans soldiors killed were done so by the Russians. These facts are very well documented and known by those who have an understanding of WW2 events.

This film is entertaining, a mere cotton candy flick, with a pat ending. I just wrote a review of the movie "The Hurricane," defending it from the very type of attack I am making here, but unlike that superrb film, this one is a complete fraud, and does not merely suffer some minor inaccuracies.

Rating:
Summary: Good formula Sub movie
Review: Good formula Sub movie.

This movie is fun to watch as it has all the elements and "subplots" seen in most Sub movies. They did not go overboard with excess mush or gore. The acting is good enough that you feel that you are there. The action and suspense is constant with no lagging or lingering. I am not going to critique the story incase you have not seen the movie. It would be nicer if they had shown the pictures of the actors with their names in the credits instead of just names on a blank screen.

Rating:
Summary: Great action!
Review: Great entertainment. Fantastic acting and action. Superb special effects. Matthew McConaughey gives the best performance of his career.

It takes place in the Atlantic in WW2. A German U-boat is attacked by an allied battleship and almost completely disabled. It doesn't have enough power to return home so it becomes a sitting duck. The sub, however, is carrying an enigma machine, a priceless piece of communication equipment that encrypts/decrypts German messages. In the hands of the Allies, it could be the difference between losing and winning the war.

An American sub is immediately sent out to retrieve the enigma from the German sub. But the Germans are aware of it too and are trying to reach it from the opposite direction before the enemy can get their hands on it. What follows is a non-stop thrill ride.

Rating:
Summary: Good movie with impressive sound and a great story
Review: I have the DVD (Collector's Edition), and I enjoyed this movie very much. The visual effects are great and so is the sound. I especially liked the well-written script that keeps the watcher in suspense throughout this great movie. The special features were a plus. The reason I gave this movie four and not five stars is because the ending was not as brilliant as the rest of the movie. I definitely encourage you to add this movie to your collection.