Review of The Final Countdown (1980) by Jason G — 27 May 2008

Much better than I remembered it to be from my original childhood viewing...

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN was probably a bit too military "jargon-heavy" for an 9 year old to follow with much interest but I found it as authentic as a film of it's genre could be upon a more recent (and mature) viewing.

I do remember liking all the jets and ships as a kid though... and watching it now is no different!

The cast is great and the premise interesting. It's been done before (notably by the Japanese in 1979's "G.I. SAMURAI" aka TIME SLIP starring Sonny Chiba) and ultimately, FINAL COUNTDOWN delivers a very anti-climactic, climax which takes away from a potentially higher rating.

FINAL COUNTDOWN is beautifully shot and pre-dates "TOP-GUN" as an obvious "advertisement" for the US ARMED FORCES.

With it's incredible attention to detail and the obviously focussed showcasing of advanced military techniques and equipment (For the time)... as well as it's use of dialog (again, very jargon-heavy and written in such a way as to show you procedure and command and structure within the Navy).

I've NEVER seen a military themed film as visually or aurally accurate as this...

It's a textbook, early 80's, Hollywood-produced, advertising campaign for the military... polished and extraordinary to watch... in a style that isn't as blatantly "patriotic" or "jingoistic" as so many future "military-themed" propaganda campaigns, (disguised as films)... came to be in the years that followed.

THAT is it's saving grace... the amount of "realism" on the screen in the face of such a far-fetched plot makes the film eminently watchable.

Guys will love this film...