Nautilus

The Cover for the DVD shows a very impressive Submarine. Unfortunately, the sub in the movie is a very different and extremely inferior sub, nothing like the cover picture. Even though this is a sub movie, 98% of the action take place between humans far from the sub. No Monsters, No Fantasy Elements, just mid 90's direct to video really bad action, with less than stellar players. If this movie had just added some good CGI stuff, it would have been much better. This movie has an ecological message to it, and while important, always brings a movie down. And of course, even though the name of the movie is Nautilus and is about a sub, there is zero connection between it, and the writings of Jules Verne. (What we need are some direct to video/DVD Captain Nemo movies that hold no relation to the books, other than the character and his sub, fighting lots of monsters and stuff.) This movie was less than stellar, but I did manage to make it all the through with out turning it off. The actors failed, but the story did make me want to see how it ended.

Being made in 2000 really surprised me actually, because it looks and has the same vibe as a film made in the early 90s, possibly sooner.

It reminded me very much of films that I used to watch with my Granddad from that time period too in terms of plot, the kind of "science" going on, the special effects, everything. Even the same kind of lines, some of them being cheesy. It's decent with how it uses the Sci-fi elements such as time travel, and has some nice touches here and there.

So when I thought it was made sooner than 2000, my rating would have been higher, but with a note it was a product of its time. But I guess since it isn't, it drops a little, but if you know anyone who likes films from that time period. Then it could be an enjoyable watch.

If you are expecting something more modern than what it offers, then you will be a little disappointed.

That other terrible submarine film 30,000 Leagues Under the Sea is even worse than this rubbish, hard to believe but it's true. This one had it all, bad script, acting, casting, special effects, fight scenes and the Admiral looked to be at least ten years past retiral age, was no one younger and more plausible available? Only for lovers of very bad films.

Made for very little money, NAUTILUS is actually a fun science-fiction film combining elements from 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, CRACK IN THE WORLD and DIE HARD. On the level of a Roger Corman styled flick, the film has impressive productions values and some very nice miniature work. Richard Norton of the Jackie Chan films is a good, athletic hero and as a middle of the week video rental, this flick delivers the goods in an unpretentious way.

"Crack in the World" meets "Back to the Future". An appallingly bad movie, I dare anyone else to see it to the end. I did, but I can't remember what happens. There is one interesting scene where a scientist sees himself commit suicide in the future. Don't think I've seen that before!