TL;DR
Hunter Killer, a submarine thriller, pits Gerard Butler's Commander Glass against a conspiracy that threatens world peace. Despite a high-stakes plot and some solid performances, the film falters with predictable tropes, weak evidence driving key decisions, and unconvincing CGI and action sequences. It feels dated, relying on overt patriotism and simplistic character development that doesn't quite land in today's cinematic landscape. Discover if this underwater mission sinks or swims in our full review.
2019 is the year in which Blade Runner takes place, and while we may not have flying cars or replicants, our understanding of effective filmmaking has certainly evolved. This evolution seems to have been overlooked by director Donovan Marsh and screenwriter Arne Schmidt.
An American submarine observes the destruction of the Russian submarine they were tracking. Almost immediately, they are themselves torpedoed and find themselves disabled in Russian waters. Commander Joe Glass (Gerard Butler) is dispatched to investigate the incident. He soon uncovers evidence of a conspiracy, suggesting a potential coup that could ignite a conflict between the USA and Russia. The fate of world peace rests on Glass and his submarine crew, along with a four-man special forces team led by Bill Beaman (Toby Stephens) operating behind enemy lines. Time is of the essence, and the stakes are critically high.
The film attempts to emulate a classic hard-boiled thriller, which might have resonated more effectively if released prior to 1989. However, the portrayal of unwaveringly patriotic American protagonists now feels somewhat contrived, especially given the significant risks involved and the potential for misjudgment. Certain sequences are, frankly, difficult to take seriously due to the overt display of patriotism.
A central issue with Hunter Killer is a perceived lack of sophistication in both the narrative and character development. Despite attempts to project intelligence, the film frequently falls short. One example of this is the scene where American captain Joe Glass (Gerard Butler) rescues Russian captain Andropov, played by Michael Nyqvist (1960-2017), from the destroyed Russian submarine. Glass presents Andropov with photographic evidence, claiming the submarine was sabotaged internally. He argues that Andropov has been misled by his superiors and seeks his cooperation. The problem lies in the nature of the evidence: the photographs focus solely on the blast damage without indicating the origin of the vessel. Furthermore, such images could be easily fabricated. Yet, the seasoned Russian captain accepts the American’s assertions unquestioningly. This reliance on weak evidence to motivate a pivotal character decision undermines the film’s credibility. The sabotage element, surprisingly, is never revisited as a significant plot point.
Hunter Killer features a mix of practical and computer-generated effects. While the practical effects are generally acceptable, the CGI visuals are noticeably subpar. The submarine lacks a convincing sense of weight and its movement in the water appears unrealistic. The action sequences also suffer from clumsy direction; in one instance, a group of Russian soldiers remain stationary while firing at the protagonists, ensuring they all miss their targets due to their lack of tactical awareness.
Furthermore, the film showcases implausible medical scenarios. A Russian bodyguard, after being shot and submerged in cold water, is quickly revived and returns to action without any lingering effects. The film also incorporates several predictable tropes: a spontaneous round of applause, a seemingly harsh superior with benevolent intentions, a rookie who proves invaluable, and subordinate officers forced to acknowledge the correctness of a risky maneuver.
Acknowledging the need for diversity, the filmmakers include Caroline Goodall as the President of the United States and Linda Cardellini as Jayne Norquist, a high-ranking NSA agent, though their integration feels somewhat forced.
Gerard Butler delivers his typical stoic performance, fitting for this genre. Gary Oldman, in contrast, is underutilized in an uninspired role that fails to capitalize on his talent. Toby Stephens, recognizable from his role as the villain Gustav Graves in Die Another Day, brings a certain charm to his role. Michael Nyqvist, in one of his final performances, does his best with the limited material provided by the script and direction.
Had Hunter Killer been released approximately 30 years ago, it might have achieved classic status similar to Under Siege with Steven Segal. However, its release in 2019, set in the present day (despite being filmed in 2016), makes its simplistic approach less excusable.
