The Final Countdown (1980)

With a tantalizing "what-if?" scenario and a respectable cast of Hollywood veterans, The Final Countdown plays like a grand-scale episode of The Twilight Zone. It's really no more than that, and time-travel movies have grown far more sophisticated since this popular 1980 release, but there's still some life remaining in the movie's basic premise: What if a modern-era Navy aircraft carrier--in this case the real-life nuclear-powered U.S.S. Nimitz--was caught in an anomalous storm and thrust 40 years backwards in time to the eve of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor? Will the ship's commander (Kirk Douglas) interfere with history? Will the visiting systems analyst (Martin Sheen) convince him not to? Will a rescued senator from 1941 (Charles Durning) play an unexpected role in the future of American politics? Veteran TV director Don Taylor doesn't do much with the ideas posed by this potentially intriguing plot; he seems more interested in satisfying aviation buffs with loving footage of F-14 "Jolly Roger" fighter jets, made possible by the Navy's generous cooperation. That makes The Final Countdown a better Navy film than a full-fledged time-travel fantasy, but there's a nice little twist at the end, and the plot holes are easy to ignore. James Cameron would've done it better, but this popcorn thriller makes an enjoyable double-bill with The Philadelphia Experiment. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Totally Satisfied

The movie arrived right as scheduled and in perfect shape. We enjoyed it tremendously; thanks. June 27, 2008

An Alright Film

The Final Countdown was a really good movie. I would recommend it to people that love Scifi and Time Travel movies. I gave it 3 stars because the story line really to me didn't make any sense. They go back to 1941 and they are there for a long time just sending planes up and scouting and there is a few deaths and one American plane shoots down a jap plane and explodes but that is basically it. Torwards the end when they are going to get ready to intercept the japanese they get called back to the carrier and the attack on Pearl Harbor still happens. So what was the point of the movie, they didn't even really do anything. I liked it because I am huge into Time-Travel. I also liked the ending when Katharine Ross/Laurel Scott and James Farentino/Wing Commander Richard T. Owens/Mr Richard Tideman ended up being alive and made a surprise visit with Martin Sheen/Warren Lasky. May 29, 2008

The Final Countdown, Simply enjoyable entertainment

As an aviation writer with 113 published titles, including a current one on the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, I have specialized in naval aviation. Generally, I get quite impatient with movies that are very inaccurate when it comes to technical details, but "The Final Countdown" is different. The Final Countdown (Widescreen Edition) With a storyline involving a time warp that takes a nuclear powered aircraft carrier back to December 1941 and the attack on Pearl Harbor, the basic premise is science fiction rather than anything historical or documentary. Therefore, it really doesn't matter that there is little attention to the accuracy I usually like to see given respect by a film maker. Instead, this movie is just easy entertainment that is enjoyable. The acting isn't great. Kirk Douglas was 63 when he made the movie, 15 to 20 years older than a carrier captian would be in real life, and the script leaves a lot to be desired in places. But the film is still enjoyable if the viewer simply accepts it for what it is. Perhaps the best part is the music score, while the worst is the narrative of the cinematographer in the "special features" section of the DVD. Along with "Somewhere in Time," it is the best of the movies I have seen with a time warp theme. Science fiction fans and naval aviation buffs will surely find it to their liking. May 22, 2008

The Spinal Countdown

Yes, my friends it will truely be the SPINAL countdown as you watch this great film, as you will NOT want to leave your sitting position as you are sucked into the vortex of this movie. I loved it, great fun. Aviation buffs take note, there is great attention to detal here. Martin Sheen is very convincing as the "expert" sent aboard to observe operations. Then comes the trip back to 1941. The film is engaging and it is fun and features the F-14 (of top gun fame) Who could ask for anything more? Simon says check it out! One final thing, am I the only one who LOVES the sound of the helicopter blades turning as Martin Sheen steps aboard the helicopter for the first time? They sound SO COOL. Do helicopters still sound like this? If not why not? Anyhow, check it out! May 3, 2008

Excellent popcorn movie

If you're looking for a popcorn movie from the 80's, then this is your movie. This sci-fi combines the elements of a well-written script with decent action. The areal sequences are phenomenal. This is the first and probably only time in which you will witness a modern-day F14 Tomcat and a WWII Mitsubishi Zero on the same screen. Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen both do a remarkably good job in this flick. April 29, 2008

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