I love to read submarine thrillers, from World War II stories like Run Silent Run Deep to Cold War adventures by Richard P. Henrick and state-of-the-art techno-thrillers by Patrick Robinson (who actually has a novel called “Hunter Killer,” but it is unrelated to this film, which is based on “Firing Point” by Don Keith and George Wallace).  Submarine stories are self-contained studies of men (and an occasional woman) under pressure, quite literally, tasked with keeping us safe and secure.

Donovan Marsh’s film is like a lite version of a Tom Clancy tale, and that is not meant as an insult.  The story is complex and twisty, yet in a very accessible way, and it all depends on human nature as much as the machineries of technology and fate.  The U. S. detects activity near the North Pole and investigates; an untested captain (Gerard Butler) is severely tested immediately.  Meanwhile, the Russians may be undergoing a dramatic change in leadership, and an American SEAL team moves into position to determine what is happening and to tilt history one way or another.  Dramatic decisions must be made on the spot, by that untested American captain and his Russian counterpart (Michael Nyquist, whose next-to-last movie this is; he died this past summer).

I appreciate the dual stories, with, along with an overview of the situation in Washington D. C. where everything looks to be pointed toward war, provides compelling, textured drama.  While some of the outer characters are too caricatured (Gary Oldman’s Chief of Staff, for instance), and the story and setting lack the tactile depth of The Hunt for Red October, there is still plenty of excitement, humor and suspense to enjoy.  Key is how Butler’s American captain has the sense, and courtesy, to inform, consult with, and finally trust, Nyquist’s Russian captain — for he understands that they are facing the same foe.  Glasnost, indeed.

This movie appeared in theaters without much fanfare and disappeared very quickly.  That’s a shame, because I found it to be a highly enjoyable military-political thriller.  Obvious models and CGI work lessen its visual impact some, but dramatically I feel the movie is quite solid — if far-fetched.  But the hallmark of a good movie is when a far-fetched premise becomes an intriguing possibility, and then an eye-popping adventure.  That’s what happened here; I recommend it.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  19 December 2018.