Reviewed by Johnny McNair 

U-571 can be purchased on Blu-ray individually or as a part of Universal’s “Action Starter Pack,” which includes three movies: Miami Vice, U-571 and End of Days for the retail price of $59.98.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment – 117 mins – 2000 – Rated PG-13 – 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40: 1 – DTS-HD Lossless Master 5.1 Audio

There was a short period in Hollywood when submarine films were hot, mainly because of the success of films like The Hunt For Red October, and Crimson Tide. By the time the submarine thriller U-571 submerged, the interest in a bunch of seamen running around in a metallic phallic symbol had diminished, but the film still manage to make of $100 million worldwide. U-571 is now available from Universal Studios Home Entertainment on Blu-ray, and while not as well crafted as Crimson Tide or The Hunt For Red October it is a decent WWII adventure that offers some solid thrills.

THE MOVIE

U-571 attempts to be an old-fashioned war film with an ensemble cast of characters, including Mathew McConaughey, Harvey Keitel, Bill Paxton, David Keith, and yes…Jon Bon Jovi. Taking place during the battle of World War II, the film begins with the Americans learning that a German U-boat has been crippled by depth charges underwater, and an encryption-coding machine known as an Enigma is within it. This device will allow the U.S. to track the locations of German subs, giving them a big advantage, so a mission is devised to get a team onto that submarine to seize it before the Germans can get there first.

Mathew McConaughey as Lt. Andrew Tyler, is the central character, who when introduced is turned down for the duty of commanding his own vessel, because he is told he lacks true Marine leadership abilities. But when the mission’s leader (Bill Paxton) is killed, Tyler is automatically shifted into the leadership role, and must convince the other team members who don’t believe in him, that they can retrieve the Enigma machine and survive before time runs out.

Written and directed by Jonathan Mostow, who helmed the dreadful Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, U-571 is not trying to be a realistic war movie, instead focusing on escapism, and this is why the film works. Yes, it is silly in spots, such as the odd casting, (Jon Bon Jovi and Harvey Keitel in a movie together…who would have thought that?), and the Germans who all sound like guys from New Jersey faking an accent; but the from beginning to end the film never stops moving or drags on background characters that no one cares about. Once the action begins, and the Americans are pitted against the Germans while locked in an enclosed space, it’s a cat and mouse game with the clock ticking, which amps up the adrenaline.

The finale of U-571, with its superb depth charge sequence is worth watching the film all by itself. Whether you like McConaughey’s character are not, you’re rooting for him to win. If U-571 were more on the lines of Saving Private Ryan, the depth charge sequence would have been very different; a lot more serious and technical, but as it’s presented here when the submarine is taking constant hits from the explosions and the crew is trying to desperately avoid the final blow, you will be immersed. The sound editing on from this sequence earned the film an Academy Award, and while most may say it would have been impossible for them to survive this, all action films rely on characters escaping impossible situations. While not a perfect film, U-571 is entertaining, and because it’s a period war film, it will not seem dated as most action films do from a decade ago. If you like films related to World War II, and a good dose of action, give U-571 a try if you’ve never seen it before.

VIDEO

With a 1080p HD image and a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, U-571 looks sharp and clean, with strong colors and even flesh tones. For a film that has limited exterior shots and most of the scenes are beneath the sea, the transfer maintains its visual quality. The level of detail is also smooth, just look at the close-ups on the faces of the actors and you’ll see sweat rolling down their stubble, and every age line on Harvey Keitel’s face. There are times when grain is noticeable, but it’s not a dealbreaker. Overall, without nitpicking, there’s very little to complain about and viewers should be satisfied with the image.

AUDIO

Talk about bells and whistles, with its DTS-HD Lossless Master 5.1 mix, U-571 is the film for people who like to show off their surround sound systems. Dialogue and ambience is well mixed and the score by Richard Marvin shines, but the two words that steal the show are “depth charges.” The submarine escape sequence will blow you out of your seat, and the sound team went all out to ensure that the underwater explosions sounded realistic. Just listen to the sounds of the torpedoes locking into the launch tubes and being fired, or all the sounds that are occurring at once in the submarine, from water pushing into the damaged hull to the boots running clanging on the metal floors as the crew races back and forth. If you’re not watching this film with the surround sound pumped up, you’re missing out on a whole lot.

EXTRAS

Director Jonathan Mostow provides two types of commentary tracks for this Blu-ray, one is the conventional audio commentary and the other is via Universal U-Control Picture-in-Picture, which requires a profile 1.1 player.

The director’s commentary track is somewhat slow, but Mostow demonstrates that he was making this movie to salute the heroes of WWII, whom had to subdue extreme conditions in their fight against the Germans.

The PIP commentary provides a lot of similar information found on the standard track, but many behind the scenes shots that where shown as extras on the regular DVD can be viewed as the scenes play, as well as segments on the real U-boats of WWII and the Enigma code machine. You’ll also get to see some interviews with the cast, including Mathew McConaughey, Harvey Keitel and Bill Paxton.

The only issue is that you can only watch these extras in the PIP format and don’t have the option to watch them on their own on a full screen. Being that all those extras were in standard definition there is plenty of room on the Blu-ray to include that option, because many people prefer to watch the features this way.

BOTTOM LINE

As an action film based in WWII, U-571 works; as an accurate historic tale of war, it’s not even close. But then again, neither was Top Gun, so just as long as you accept that it’s only an adventure film, you’ll enjoy U-571. The Blu-ray offers solid image quality and some of the best sound you’re going to hear. Universal put a lot of care into making this film a top of the line Blu-ray and for those that liked this movie and are ready to put their standard DVD copy in storage, this version makes a for a perfect upgrade.

SCORES (Out of 5):

The Movie:           3.0

Video:                   4.0

Sound:                   5.0

Extras:                3.0

Bottom Line:        3.5