The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier U.S.S. Nimitz is on routine
patrol in the Pacific Ocean when it’s abruptly called to Hawaii, where it picks
up Warren Lasky (Martin Sheen), a systems analyst for Tideman industries, a
major defense contractor that pretty much built every piece of equipment on the
carrier, if not the ship itself. It’s Lasky’s job to observe the day to day
operations aboard the massive ship and make out a report where he lists
recommendations on how they could improve their performance. Captain Yelland
(Kirk Douglas) and his command staff just barely tolerate the presence of the
high-powered civilian, who proves to be very nosey when he intrudes into
Commander Owens’ (James Farentino) cabin and reads the fighter pilot’s book on
the attack at Pearl Harbor.
Yet Lasky observes something far beyond from what he’s used to seeing when the
Nimitz encounters a weird electrical storm at sea that flings the vessel and its
crew back in time to December 6, 1941, just one day before the Japanese attack
on Pearl. Captain Yelland and his crew have barely begun to understand how they
got back here when they find themselves grappling with a unique dilemma: with
the advanced firepower aboard the Nimitz, this one ship alone would easily stop
the Japanese task force that is headed for Pearl. But should they? For if they
intervene, then the Nimitz will change history as we know it.
The Final Countdown is a fun blend of science fiction and military hardware;
think of it as Robert Heinlein meets Tom Clancy. The filmmakers were not only
able to shoot aboard the Nimitz, but they also received unprecedented
cooperation from the United States Navy, and the result is stunning. Fans of
military tech will love this film, for it offers a pretty detailed look at life
aboard an aircraft carrier. Even though most of the fighters, such as the F-14
Tomcats on display here, have been retired from active service years ago (the
film was originally released in 1980), it’s still fascinating to watch them in
action, especially against a pair of hapless Japanese Zeros.
The cast, led by Kirk Douglas, is very solid, and the taunt script keeps you
riveted. Although the extras are slim--just a commentary from Director Of
Photography Victor J. Kemper, the theatrical trailers, and some TV spots--the
film itself is worth owning, if for nothing else than being a superb story about
a real-life aircraft carrier dealing with an outer-worldly event. Blue
Underground has done a great job in presenting The Final Countdown in its
original widescreen with crystal clear image and sound. So instead of going
Back To The Future, head back into the past for a fascinating ‘what if’ tale
that features the mighty Nimitz. --SF
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