The Final Countdown seems to be two different entertainment options edited in to a fairly good film. What I mean is you have your Hollywood movie with the fascinating premise of a U.S. Navy captain facing the dilemma of the history paradox. When the U.S.S. Nimitz enters a temporal disturbance(cheezy effect) the ship is sent to Dec. 6th, 1941. Captain Yelland(Douglass) must decide whether to interfere with the imminent Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This piece of the movie is probably 3 stars. The second level of the movie is a documentary on super carriers before there was a History Channel. It was as if the second unit just filmed everything that happens on a carrier and they used as much as they could. For 1980, a lot of this stuff had not been seen before. As an example, I cite the scene where they do an in-air refueling of two F-14's. Not really necessary to our story. Lots of takeoff/landings and the part where one of the planes' tailhook won't come down so he lands with the arresting straps also very cool but off script. I would recommend this as a unique view of the time travel conundrum and for the very nicely shot documentary.
This is a great idea for a story. An aircraft carrier from the 1980s runs into a strange storm that sends the ship and crew back in time to Dec. 6th 1941 one day before the Japanese fleet attacks Pearl Harbor. Kirk Douglas captains the USS Nimitz along with a crack lead airman played by James Farentino and a last second civilian addition Martin Sheen. For such an exciting concept the action is pretty limited but the build up to the potential clash with the Japanese attackers is well done. This movie also contained some outstanding military footage. Unfortunately when the final conflict is about to occur the movie's ending resorts to showing us the easiest possible resolution. Bummer.
If you like time travel movies, its worth a glance but be prepared for a very weak pay-off at the end.
I liked it until I realised that the primary premise of the film would not occur. I am consequently unable to recommend it, because nothing substantial actually occurred.
Didn't really care for this movie. Granted, the 80's were pretty cheesy for movies, but, this plot was not complete and what was Martin Sheen doing on the boat, except to be an annoyance??
well in 2022, this movie doesn't age well, sadly. I remember it in 1980 as enjoyable. today, not so much. Mainly just seeing Nimitz footage in a movie that does nothing
Great Scott!! A time travel movie.
Incredible sci-fi movie from the 80s. Has better F14 shots than Top Gun. The Blu-ray is great, the making of is excellent and includes many of the F14 pilots.
I really enjoyed this film.
Shout by DeletedBlockedParent2012-03-27T21:26:19Z
Awesome movie that didn't make any sense at all with plenty of plot holes -- isn't that what the 80's were all about? =P