The Final Countdown (3 Stars)

This is one of two films available on Amazon Prime that feature Kirk Douglas. It's a science-fiction thriller, made in 1980. An American aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz, based in Hawaii, passes through a time portal and arrives on 6th December 1941, the day before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The crew debate what to do, and Commander Matt Yelland (Kirk Douglas) has to make the decision.

The modern aircraft carrier has more than enough fire power to destroy the Japanese fleet, but should they do it? If they destroy the Japanese fleet, America will never enter World War Two, and Germany might win. But if Pearl Harbor is never destroyed, the crew of the USS Nimitz will never know that they need to destroy the Japanese fleet, catching them in a temporal paradox.

There are also political and ethical questions to be answered. If Japan hasn't yet attacked America, is the USS Nimitz allowed to strike first? Commander Yelland would be declaring war on Japan. Before attacking the Japanese fleet, he needs authorisation from the American President, but President Roosevelt would consider his request to attack the Japanese a hoax.

Those are tough decisions. If the film had concentrated on them, it would have been a lot better. Unfortunately, the film just looks like an excuse to showcase the USS Nimitz, the genuine aircraft carrier used in the film. There are endless scenes of aircraft taking off and landing, exquisitely filmed. Anyone who loves seeing military aircraft will love the film. The story itself falls flat. I'm not even impressed with Kirk Douglas' acting. He doesn't seem to be taking the film seriously, and he gives the impression of a C-List actor.

The film was moderately successful, but most critics deemed it a failure. Footage from the film was used in videos to advertise jobs in the Navy. That's really all it is: a promotional film.

Success Rate:  + 2.5

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