May 16, 1995 -- ``Crimson Tide'' is a high-tension Tom Clancy-like thriller about high-tech submarine warfare. Director Tony Scott (``Top Gun'') really cranks up the suspense and keeps it there for a long time in this white-knuckler. I liked the way the film builds its drama with fake CNN reports, direct references to earlier submarine movies like ``The Enemy Below,'' and stirring Victory at Sea-type music.

The story is not so far-fetched. A certain crazy, militaristic Russian politician with a bunch of military followers take over some nuclear missiles and submarines. The U.S.S. Alabama crew, led by Captain Ramsey (Gene Hackman) and his new, untested, executive officer, Hunter (Denzel Washington), are sent out to destroy the missiles, if necessary, before they can be launched against U.S. targets. The plot gets very complex, when, through a series of equipment malfunctions and disagreements, Hunter is forced to relieve Captain Ramsey of command. This leaves the crew divided and leads to a mutiny.

There is a violent disagreement on the submarine about whether a missile launch should be carried out immediately or whether the crew should wait for confirmation of a second order. Both sides have very legitimate arguments and the film doesn't take sides.

Reportedly director Quentin Tarantino added some funny ``Star Trek'' and comic book references to the script. While they were funny, I thought them a bit distracting. The ending of the film is a bit of a letdown, but the balance of the film is both thought-provoking and suspenseful. The movie rates an A-.

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