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Reviews
Submerged (2001)
Adequate account of dramatic event
This is a relatively faithful recounting of the dramatic rescue of most of the crew of USS Squalus, which went down while conducting diving drills near the Portsmouth, NH Navy Yard in October 1939.
Of course, some liberties had to be taken for dramatic purposes, but key events, such as the divers suffering from the effects of such a deep dive (over 230 feet), and the fact that the rescue bell got stuck coming up with the last of the survivors, requiring yet another harrowing dive to free them, are handled well. Considering the press attention this event got at the time, the total absence of reporters from the movie is surprising, but sort of refreshing in a way.
That said, I never really was engrossed in this movie, with many of the dramatic moments falling flat. Maybe that's because I knew how it would turn out, but still, one would think the film could be a bit better paced. All in all, a 7.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
Painful experience
When I first heard this film was being made I was thrilled, but as rumors circulated, I began to fear this was not a war movie but a love story set around a major historical event (a la Titanic). Unfortunately, my fears proved correct. This is not a movie about Pearl Harbor (though the battle scenes are generally well done, even though there are far too many shots of modern ships being attacked for my tastes). Rather, it is a movie about a rather contrived love triangle, in which the only semi-appealing member suffers the worst fate. At just about three hours this film is at least 45 minutes too long, with an ending that appears tacked on. 4 out of 10.