Review of The Final Countdown (1980) by Movie K — 16 Apr 2010

Finally bought the rare dvd. I was expecting more from this movie, but got quite disappointed. Martin Sheen works for a mysterious boss and was send onboard aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, led by Kirk Douglas.

James Farentino and Ron O'Neal are his two capable men. Martin's job is to provide alternative to the way things is done onboard. Then while at sea, a storm suddenly approaches and they are zap into the past, at first unknowingly to them.

The weather become clear again immediately. Sending a recon plane and jets to scout around, the results were scary. The jets found a vintage yatch and 2 Japanese zero fighters and the recon pictures have the old school Pearl Harbor in 1940.

The zero fighters shoots at the yatch and after getting clearance to engage, the 2 jets easily gun down the enemies. The survivors are saved. Charles Durning, Katherine Ross and the japanese pilot. Turns out Charles is a candidate of the president election who mysteriously disappear before the attack of Pearl Harbor which Martin finds out from the notes of James.

While attending to them, Katherine's dog run loose, Martin tries to grab it and in the commotion, the pilot reverse the situation and demand radio usage. Through the speaker and translation, the pilot was shock to know how come James knew all their information and he got kill when he let his guard down.

Charles cotacted Pearl Harbor and is puzzled they didn't recognise the skipper name and ship name. He wants to go there personally. Kirk plan is to land them somewhere further where they'll be safe.

James went onboard to lead. When they landed, Charles find out it isn't Pearl Harbor and use the flare gun to hold the chopper hostage. James and Katherine were off. The flare gun goes off and the chopper exploded.

Kirk have no time to wait for James and proceeded with the attack on the Japanese. Then the storm emerge again, following them even when they steer off course. Kirk calls off the strike mission and they are zap back to present day.

Martin took back the dog belonging to Katherine. Then the mysterious boss arrives and invited Martin in. They are James and Katherine in the old age. This part is difficult to understand. A modern day man stuck in the past and aged in modern day again.

.. And the debate on wheather they should attack and change history... I thought that there will be action dogfighting but too bad none in the movie.