Some films fall through the cracks receiving neither critical nor box office acclaim. ‘Down Periscope’ is a comedy that takes a lighter look at submarine war games and manages to keep you in splits from the word go and throws in a nice plot to go.
The plot revolves around Lt. Commander Dodge, a man famous for getting a tattoo on his crown jewels and one known to dodge the rule book. He faces being passed over for promotion to submarine Commander but gets one last chance when he is asked to captain a WW-II submarine, the USS Stingray and make a stealth attack on Norfolk harbor. He has to face the latest Los Angeles class nuclear submarine, USS Orlando which is entrusted with guarding the harbor. The powers that be give him the worst crew of slackers possible to make his job tougher and change the rules of the game as it progresses. How he copes with this is what the film shows.
Director David Ward who co-wrote the endearing romantic comedy ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ and directed the hilarious ‘Major League’ and Hugh Wilson who directed ‘Police Academy’ do not allow the comedy to take over the end objective of the Stingray taking Norfolk. The comic elements are weaved in superbly. The characterization does appear clichéd and shallow at times, but considering the genre, that may be given a pass by the viewer. The song ‘In the Navy’ performed by Village People, comes along with the end credits and is quite enjoyable.
Kelsey Grammer as Lt. Commander Dodge is at his witty best and is ably supported by the comic talent of Rob Schneider and William H. Macy as the Captain of the Orlando. Lauren Holly as the only female member of the crew represents the eye ‘popping’ candy.
Watch ‘Down Periscope’, if you want to enjoy a light film that does not grate on your senses but brings a nice smile on your face at the end of it.