Kick ass sound mix. This movie definitely takes advantage of its surrounds. It really immerses you during the depth charge scenes. Very nice underwater explosions too. The gunfights are nice and loud without being overwhelming.

I should probably talk about the characters. Great cast. Matthew McConaughey does a good job as XO Lt. Andrew Tyler. He looks kinda strange during those wide eyed moments, but otherwise, he's very suitable for the role. Harvey Keitel makes a great Chief as Chief of the Boat Klough. Not outspoken, but not unheard. Like a C.O.B. should be. Bill Paxton's hair looked a little messed up, but that's obviously not a concern as far as characterization, and he does a good job as always. His hair just kept bothering me for some strange reason. I really liked the actor who played the Lt. Hirsch role, (I can't remember the actor's name, but he played that prick in Meet Joe Black) even though I figured he was gonna be a character I could care less about in the beginning of the film. But I was wrong. And the others are perfect for their parts. Just an all round good cast.

The score was pretty good. Not outlandish during the action scenes, yet not simple either. The composer's no John Williams or James Horner, but he gets the job done.

The plot is simple, and it's not a bad thing, because sometimes the simple plots make the best movies. Just take a look at another WWII movie -- Saving Private Ryan. Now U-571 is no Saving Private Ryan, and I didn't get the impression that it was trying to be. But it's still a damn good movie.

The situations are pretty edge of your seat, and there is a feeling of claustrophobia to heighten the suspense -- a tactic shared by all sub movies. And the feeling is further strengthened by the fact that the characters must still maintain secrecy in their mission lest they compromise their goal. It's a submarine movie. They tend to fall under the rubric of clandestine operations. There's a reason why it's called the silent service. But this doesn't feel like your average submarine movie. It may be the lack of hi-tech surroundings, but it doesn't feel archaic either.

I really can't think of any down sides to this movie. Maybe just the occasional statement from McConaughey and crew that feels like it's directed towards the audience to reveal us of the consequences if something goes wrong. But it's not too insulting. That and Bill's hair.

I was very pleased with the whole movie.
As I said before, it's great entertainment. Fans of action and submarine movies will get a real kick out of this one. Go check it out.

Well done sound mix, in scope (always a plus), good cinematography (except for some timing problems halfway through the movie as the sub is at the surface), good acting, directing, editing, etc.

My only real complaint it is wasn't long enough. I haven't seen a movie I really liked in 5 months, and damnit I didn't want this one to end after only 2 hours!

And whats this about Mallick having no talent??!! Thin Red Line was a hell of a lot better than that schlock propoganda piece of shit Saving Private Ryan.

And then at the end they throw us the sentimental "This is dedicated to all the men..." Bla Bla Bla, it should have said, 'this is dedicated to all you saps who actually liked this piece of shit even though it was formulated to make money on the expence of historical accuracy"

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Toll's Cinematography wasn't the only good thing, it was the best thing! How this movie lost to SPR in Cinematography must be mob related. SPR's entire look was based on post processing and poorly ripping off Full Metal Jacket. Read the American Cinematographer issues on both films and tell me which one is shot better.

The Thin Red Line was more than just a WWII film, it was a character study on the relationship between soldiers, the insignificance of man, and the relationship to the enemy. The Japanese were portrayed much better than the "Evil Germans" in Saving Private Ryan, you could actually see the depravity of the Japanese who were being forced to fight, and understand their emotions where-as in Saving Private Ryan, the Germans were all the stereopypical hollywood views of Germans based on 50 years of dramatized WWII films.

The Thin Red line also showed a deeper side of war, a war against ones self and nature. The Cinematography clearly portrayed how nature contrasted with the violence going on around it. Shots like the blood being splattered across the glowing green leaves, and the bird dieing in the bullet tattered weeds. These are strong, powerful, images that any true hollywood action/ war film wouldn't have the balls to show. Like Saving Private Ryan.

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And I am definately not confusing Scenery with Cinematography. You should check out both movies "Straight Story" and "Thin Red Line" both of which ARE SCOPE!