Crimson Tide (Blu-ray Disc)

Crimson Tide is officially the best looking high-definition video I have seen to date, HD DVD or Blu-ray, this one takes the cake. From the minute the credits began to roll I knew I was in for a treat. It had been several years, probably 13 in fact since I don't think I had seen this film since it was first released in 1995, and revisiting it was an absolute joy. You can't really go wrong with Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman and Viggo Mortensen in a solid supporting role can you? And when it looks this good you can only sit back and enjoy.

For those that may have forgot, because I had, Crimson Tide centers on the idea that Russia has become a nuclear threat to the United States as Russian rebels have taken over a nuclear missile site. As a precaution, the nuclear submarine USS Alabama has been sent out to sea with Captain Frank Ramsey (Hackman) in charge and Lt. Commander Ron Hunter (Washington) pulling second in command.

While on board an order is given to launch a nuclear strike on Russia as intel informs the US that the rebels are ready to strike, but when communications go down just as a new set of orders are coming in no one is sure if the attack has been called off or if the Alabama must still launch its originally ordered attack. Ramsey is gung-ho to fire, but he needs the mutual consent of his XO and Hunter isn't ready to proceed until communications are back online and their exact orders have been received. Suffice to say, the shit hits the fan and a lot of action ensues.

Looking over my HD catalog I see Hunt for Red October and U-571 on HD DVD and now I add yet another submarine flick to the fray. While Crimson Tide doesn't quite match the intensity of Red October it is a worthwhile addition to your HD collection, especially considering this Blu-ray disc looks so amazing, something I am hoping my future Disney BD releases repeat.

As for special features you are only given the DVD carryover material in the form of deleted scenes and featurettes. There is an interesting little feature, however, exclusive to the Blu-ray disc called "Movie Showcase". This feature gives the viewer the option to watch pre-selected scenes Disney has chose to use to show off the new high definition technology. Since I watched the whole film watching this feature wasn't necessary, but I guess if you feel you have to prove to your friends just how kick ass this new media is this would be your tool.

Overall, if Crimson Tide is a favorite of yours and you are looking to beef up your high definition catalog certainly give it a shot, you can't go wrong as this is a top quality transfer with uncompressed 5.1 audio.