Review of The Final Countdown (1980) by Stuart M — 09 Jun 2015

The film has an amazing first act and continues in its second act to set up one of the most compelling dilemmas in film history: if you were placed in a position to change the past at what point are you obliged to save innocent lives while risking your future? What are the potential consequences of interfering with your own past? In setting up this dilemma the film also offers a brief look into life on board a Naval aircraft carrier.

Then the film ends. There is no third act. As the plot runs on and on without anyone actually trying to argue about the best course of action or the larger concerns you realize that the film is stuck in autopilot.

I don't know why they never dealt with any of the issues they spent so long establishing. I suspect it had something to do with the obvious navy support they had during production. Such support always comes with restrictions and I imagine the Navy didn't want to portray officers arguing (which would explain why Sheen's character is an outsider, even though he never does anything with this) or captains carrying out gunboat diplomacy.

In any event, it was a highly disappointing end to a movie that deserved so much more.