It's not a good movie. It's not really that bad a movie either, but only for the performance of Keifer Sutherland. For that alone it is worth a watch.
The concept is ok, update a WWII classic to modern times. But it can't be done, times have changed too much, what was plausible in the 1940's just won't carry water anymore. Suspend disbelief, you say? Sure, for just about anything other than a historical war drama, where the plot must marry the history or it just doesn't come off. It doesn't.
Even then, it could have used some better writing. In the original, Barney really does torpedo the old man. Here, the lawyers have a lot of strong words, but are just bystanders watching Queeq destroy himself. That's what really left me flat, all the hot air around Sutherland's outstanding performance. Not as good as Bogart, of course, but no one should be held to that standard. For the times, it could not have been better.
So why was it made? I read all the great things about the director's final film, and sure, he made some good ones, but this frankly is sub-par for greatness. Left scratching my head.
The concept is ok, update a WWII classic to modern times. But it can't be done, times have changed too much, what was plausible in the 1940's just won't carry water anymore. Suspend disbelief, you say? Sure, for just about anything other than a historical war drama, where the plot must marry the history or it just doesn't come off. It doesn't.
Even then, it could have used some better writing. In the original, Barney really does torpedo the old man. Here, the lawyers have a lot of strong words, but are just bystanders watching Queeq destroy himself. That's what really left me flat, all the hot air around Sutherland's outstanding performance. Not as good as Bogart, of course, but no one should be held to that standard. For the times, it could not have been better.
So why was it made? I read all the great things about the director's final film, and sure, he made some good ones, but this frankly is sub-par for greatness. Left scratching my head.