Danger Beneath the Sea Reviews

Reminiscent of CRIMSON TIDE (1995) without the mega-budget and superstars, this B movie is yet another product of the "Tom Clancy School of Macho Military Action." Admiral Justice (Gerald McRaney) has high hopes for golden-boy Commander Miles Sheffield, (Casper Van Dien) and assigns him to the nuclear submarine USS Lansing. But Sheffield's appointment doesn't sit well with veteran officer Albert Kenner (Stewart Bick), who was passed over for the captain's post; a virulent anti-Communist, Kenner shares his grievances with the sub's like-minded swabbies. An unexpected power surge in North Korea causes a secret, ocean-based missile test to go awry, the resulting jolt disrupts the Lansing's communication systems and gives the erroneous impression that the ship has been attacked. Sheffield, who's untested in combat, advises laying low until he can confirm the hostile strike. But the paranoid Kenner does everything he can to undermine Sheffield's authority and, after they surface in a Korean Harbor, a radioactive powder rains on both the officers. Between the fact that the bayside city is dark (there's been a power blackout) and the nuclear shower, Kenner's worst fears seem to have been confirmed. Though Sheffield's wait-and-see policy is entirely appropriate, Kenner stages a mutiny and allows Sheffield to go untreated for radiation sickness. With his inner circle in place, Kenner activates a nuclear strike against North Korea. An international incident seems imminent; there's no way for Admiral Justice to contact the Lansing in time. All in all, this action adventure about bravery down below is seaworthy, albeit unremarkable and marred by incessant manly men cliches.