Review of USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage (2016) by Patrick L — 29 Jan 2017

"I haven't seen an absolute disservice to war movies this painful since Michael Bay's "Pearl Harbor".".

Movie Review: USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage.

Date Viewed: November 11 2016.

Directed By Mario Van Peebles (New Jack City, Posse, Panther, Baadasssss!, Hard Luck and Gang in Blue).

Written By Cam Cannon and Richard Rionda Del Castro.

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Tom Sizemore, Thomas Jane, Matt Lanter, James Remar, Cody Walker, Brian Presley, Emily Tennant, Adam Scott Miller, Callard Harris, Mandela Van Peebles, Craig Tate, Weronika Rosati, Yutaka Takeuchi, Justin Nesbitt, Gary Grubbs and Matthew Pearson.

The story about the USS Indianapolis shipwreck during World War II was a harrowing one. The American Navy-cruiser was delivering parts for the atomic bomb which would be used to level Hiroshima. Unfortunately, the ship was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese sub taking 300 people with it. Most of the crew members got out safely but most of them died from either starvation, salt-water poisoning or getting eaten by sharks. In the end, only 317 crew members were rescued from the tragedy but it also resulted in Captain McVay (played by Nicolas Cage) getting court-martialed.

It is all compelling stuff but the new movie "USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage" didn't have the courage to find a more thoughtful and intelligent script and instead went with a laughable, popcorn-throwing Syfy Channel movie. Nicolas Cage how many times do I keep saying the same thing: "LOOK FOR BETTER MOVIES!". Don't you care anymore about your image. Find by me, I guess I'll see you on the next edition of "Celebrity Family Feud".

The big difference between this and all the video-on-demand clunkers Cage has made is that at least Cage is more restrained here. I'll give Cage credit for not mocking the material with his usual crazy Nic Cage moments but "USS Indianapolis" is a mighty slog to sit through. Not only is there a romantic-triangle that goes nowhere, we have CGI sharks who look so haphazardly fake, I'm surprised they weren't chosen for the next "Sharknado" sequel and we have a ludicrous courtroom drama in the end involving Cage's character getting court-martialed for failing to zigzag the Indianapolis when the Japs torpedoed the ship.

"USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage" is a big slap in the face to those brave men who died in the horrific tragedy and it's a catastrophic disappointment from director Mario Van Peebles (New Jack City, Posse, Panther, Baadasssss!). The love-triangle I mentioned earlier involves two sailors (Cody Walker and Adam Scott Miller) who are in love with the same woman (Emily Tennant). Other characters who get no investment for me are an inspiring African-American writer (Craig Tate) who creates racial tensions in the Indianapolis and Lt. Wilbur C. "Chuck" Gwinn (Thomas Jane) who organized the rescue effort for the crew members of the Indianapolis.

Oh yeah, in every war movie like this, we always have a crew member who gets despised by everyone, this time it's an Admiral's son who gets the big cliche whiplash. The only actor who abandons this stinky Carnival cruise ship safely is Tom Sizemore as a Chief Petty Officer and he actually plays the role straight. The historical context in "USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage" felt phony to me and the young male actors here range from annoying to aggravating to Boo-Hoo! Bring out the violin!

Nicolas Cage... you know the drill and Mario Van Peebles... Shame on You! I haven't seen an absolute disservice to war movies this painful since Michael Bay's "Pearl Harbor".