Coverage:

Testosterone levels run high between Naval officers Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman as they go full tilt against one another in the absorbing thriller about a nuclear submarine sent to detour Russian rebels from launching nuclear missiles against the US.      As the executive officer aboard the nuclear submarine Alabama, Washington fits conformably into the role of an action hero. The centerpiece of the film is Washington's refusal to give his formal approval to launch a preemptive strike against the Russians after the ship's captain (Gene Hackman) receives a message that Russian rebels are fueling their missiles.      The problem is just as Hackman is receiving a confirmation to launch the ship's missiles, the Alabama is attacked by a rebel controlled Russian submarine, knocking out the ship's communications. The question becomes whether to launch or not to launch. Mutiny is afoot as Washington and Hackman struggle for control of the ship and the use of its nuclear arsenal. Top Gun director Tony Scott does an excellent job of keeping the audience on the edge of its seat with the usual MTVish high-energy expected in a Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer production, save for a wimpy ending. FYI: The slick dialogue between Denzel Washington (Mr. Hunter) and Danny Nucci (Rivetti) about the comic book hero the Silver Surfer was written by Pulp Fiction's edgy director Quentin Tarantino. Hunter: Rivetti, what's up? Rivetti: I'm sorry, Sir. It's just a difference of opinion that got out of hand. Hunter: What about? Rivetti: It's really too silly to talk about, Sir. I'd really just forget about---. Hunter: I don't give a damn about what you'd rather forget about. Why were you two fighting? Rivetti: I said, the Kirby Silver Surfer was the only real Silver Surfer. And that the Moebius Silver Surfer was shit. And Bennefield's a big Moebius fan. And it got of hand. I pushed him. He pushed me. I lost my head, Sir. I'm Sorry. Hunter: Rivetti, you're a supervisor. You can get a commission like that. (Snaps finger) Rivetti: I know, Sir. You're 100 percent right. It will never happen again. Hunter: It better not happen again. If I see this kind of nonsense again, I'm going to write you up. You understand? Rivetti: (No answer) Hunter: Do you understand? Rivetti: Yes, Sir. Hunter: You have to set an example even in the face of stupidity. Everybody who reads comic books knows that Kirby Silver Surfer is the only true Silver Surfer. Now am I right or wrong? Rivetti: You're right, Sir. Hunter: Now get out of here. Rivetti: Yes, Sir.