HUNTER KILLER features Gerard Butler being promoted to captain a nuclear submarine despite not having the usual Annapolis pedigree. His character uses street smarts and out of the box thinking to try and avert a nuclear war with Russia, whose President has been kidnapped during a military coup.
A few flaws were a little annoying: First, bullets being shot in the water rapidly lose their velocity and would have far less chance of doing damage to the underwater frogmen than what was portrayed in this movie. Second, the XO (executive officer, second in command) on the American submarine was constantly questioning the orders of the captain, in front of many other crew members. This would never happen on a real submarine. Look up the exchange between Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington in 1995's CRIMSON TIDE for a far more realistic explanation of what happens in that situation.
Lastly, is seems like the script did no favors to the great Gary Oldman. Oldman can play any character extremely well, and he has done so over his many decades on film. But this script didn't allow his character much depth or introspection, only a hawkish military commander hell bent on war.
But in spite of the above criticisms, this was an enjoyable film and atypical story.
A few flaws were a little annoying: First, bullets being shot in the water rapidly lose their velocity and would have far less chance of doing damage to the underwater frogmen than what was portrayed in this movie. Second, the XO (executive officer, second in command) on the American submarine was constantly questioning the orders of the captain, in front of many other crew members. This would never happen on a real submarine. Look up the exchange between Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington in 1995's CRIMSON TIDE for a far more realistic explanation of what happens in that situation.
Lastly, is seems like the script did no favors to the great Gary Oldman. Oldman can play any character extremely well, and he has done so over his many decades on film. But this script didn't allow his character much depth or introspection, only a hawkish military commander hell bent on war.
But in spite of the above criticisms, this was an enjoyable film and atypical story.