While this first (and still best) collaboration between Denzel Washington and late filmmaker Tony Scott remains a classic 1990s blockbuster, the tentative nature of the transformative path Washington’s character takes within it is often overlooked.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Dec 30, 2024

This is riveting stuff, an achievement that is even more remarkable in view of the movie's restricted setting - a submarine's claustrophobic confines.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 2, 2024

...the picture’s compulsively watchable atmosphere is heightened by its emphasis on the fascinating nitty-gritty of submarine life and its surfeit of magnetic, charismatic performances...

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jul 19, 2023

Neither Scott nor Schiffer seem worried about the deeper details of the crisis or the geopolitics at its center. That’s a good thing as it keeps the narrative tighter and more focused.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 19, 2022

It’s a great psychological thriller.

| May 16, 2022

Simpson/Bruckheimer have plunged to the ocean's depths to reach the heights of commercial, big-movie filmmaking.

| May 12, 2020

Crimson Tide is a whale of a movie, an intense and a heartstopping adventure played out against the unnerving threat of nuclear annihilation.

| Feb 19, 2020

Crimson Tide has many lessons to offer that are relevant to this day.

| Feb 6, 2020

Perfectly-paced high stakes drama with a brain, its dilemmas both huge in scope and deeply personal. Heart-stopping as it is watching torpedoes head towards Hackman and Washington's sub, the arguments and stand-offs onboard are just as shredding.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 9, 2018

As good a thriller as 1995 produced, keeping things as simple and direct as possible.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Jul 24, 2013

| Original Score: A- | Sep 7, 2011

War Games in the water; older teens and up.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 18, 2010

This is a boy's movie all the way.

| Mar 26, 2009

A big, bold Hollywood movie that won't be winning any awards for subtlety but can't be denied its popcorn appeal. [Blu-Ray review]

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 9, 2008

The screenplay may be credited to Michael Schiffer, but the punchy dialogue has Quentin Tarantino written all over it. The cast has a ball.

| Jun 24, 2006

I don't know what the full Naval procedure is to launch nuclear weapons, but I hope to God it's more structured and fail-safe than what we see in this film.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 8, 2006

A riveting, high-testosterone nail-biter.

| Original Score: B+ | May 30, 2006

...the thrills remain authentic, even though we know exactly how the plot is going to turn out.

| Original Score: 7/10 | May 18, 2006

Considerably more intelligent than most of Jerry Bruckheimer's productions -- and Hackman's just awesome.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 14, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 25, 2005