Crimson Tide Turns 30 – Why This Nuclear Thriller Still Holds Water
Posted May 12, 2025 by Sean at the Movies
This week marks the 30th anniversary of Crimson Tide, one of the most gripping military thrillers of the 1990s. Directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman, the film pits two commanding performances against each other in a tense ideological standoff aboard a nuclear submarine.
Crimson Tide turns 30!
In honor of its anniversary, I’ve published a full review on Vocal diving deep into what makes Crimson Tide still resonate after three decades—its political subtext, powerhouse performances, and that unforgettable scene with the Lipizzaner stallions.
Movie Review: Without a Paddle (2004) – Lost in the Woods and in the Script
Tags
Without a Paddle review, Dax Shepard movies, Seth Green comedy, Matthew Lillard film, 2000s buddy comedies, Steven Brill, Burt Reynolds cameo, D.B. Cooper movies, road trip comedies, Hollywood formula films
Overview
*Without a Paddle* (2004) is a road trip comedy that leans heavily on formula and familiarity. Directed by Steven Brill (of *Little Nicky* and *Mr. Deeds* infamy), it stars Matthew Lillard, Dax Shepard, and Seth Green as three childhood friends reunited by tragedy and launched into a backwoods misadventure that borrows liberally from better films like *City Slickers*, *Road Trip*, and *Deliverance*. The result is a forgettable comedy that coasts on clichés and cameos rather than clever writing.
Plot Summary
Following the death of their adventurous childhood friend Billy, Jerry (Matthew Lillard), Tom (Dax Shepard), and Dan (Seth Green) reunite to fulfill a long-abandoned dream: a canoe trip in search of D.B. Cooper’s lost fortune. What starts as a tribute to friendship and youthful dreams quickly devolves into chaos as the trio gets lost in the Oregon wilderness. Along the way, they face off with an angry bear, a pair of cartoonish redneck drug dealers (played by Ethan Suplee and Abraham Benrubi), a crooked sheriff, and nature itself. Helping—or possibly hindering—them is a grizzled backwoods recluse played by Burt Reynolds, whose appearance seems to serve more as a pop culture wink than an acting choice.
Highlights
D.B. Cooper premise: A great idea buried beneath lazy gags and flat execution. The legend of Cooper deserved a better movie.
Comedy trio chemistry: While the characters are written as caricatures, Lillard, Shepard, and Green do their best with what little they’re given.
Nature scenes: Some of the outdoor cinematography is pleasant—when it’s not being used for slapstick bear chases.
What Doesn’t Work
Generic script: The film follows a strict comedy formula, with little originality and no risk-taking.
Unseen backstories: The more intriguing lives of the characters—especially the deceased Billy and wild-child Tom—are told, not shown.
Burt Reynolds cameo: Played for laughs, but the movie gives him nothing to do except remind you of better films.
Lazy writing: Characters are broad stereotypes (the neurotic nerd, the slacker ladies' man, the directionless nice guy) used in place of real development or clever dialogue.
Final Thoughts
While *Without a Paddle* isn’t offensively bad, it’s the kind of comedy that feels engineered by committee rather than inspired by creativity. Screenwriters Mitch Rouse and Jay Leggett crib elements from more successful films without adding anything original to the mix. It’s mildly amusing at times—mostly thanks to reflexive laughs from remembering better movies—but ultimately forgettable. This is the cinematic equivalent of fast food: easy to consume, completely disposable, and barely satisfying.
Rating
⭐ Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars
Call to Action
Do you think *Without a Paddle* deserves cult status or should it stay forgotten? Leave your thoughts below!
Check out our reviews of early 2000s comedies right here.
Movie Review: X2: X-Men United (2003) – Mutants, Mayhem, and Military Conspiracies
Tags
X2 movie review, X-Men United, Bryan Singer, Hugh Jackman Wolverine, Alan Cumming Nightcrawler, early 2000s blockbusters, Marvel movies, comic book films, superhero sequels, summer popcorn movies
Overview
*X2: X-Men United* picks up where 2000’s *X-Men* left off, expanding the story and scale while doubling down on slick action and mutant spectacle. Directed by Bryan Singer, this sequel brings Professor X’s team of super-powered outsiders together with longtime adversary Magneto to fight a common enemy: a rogue military general with sinister plans for all mutantkind. It’s a classic setup for a summer blockbuster—one that delivers well-executed set pieces and enough character moments to keep fans entertained.
Plot Summary
After a mutant named Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming) launches a jaw-dropping attack on the White House, anti-mutant hysteria reignites. General Stryker (Brian Cox), a military hardliner with ties to Wolverine’s mysterious past, uses the incident to push for a strike against Xavier’s School for the Gifted. When Stryker’s forces raid the school, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is thrust into a protector role, escaping with several young mutants—including Rogue, Iceman, and Pyro.
As Professor X (Patrick Stewart) and Cyclops (James Marsden) are captured, Storm (Halle Berry) and Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) search for Nightcrawler to understand the reason behind his attack. Eventually, the X-Men must join forces with Magneto (Ian McKellen) and Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) to stop Stryker from launching a war that could wipe out all mutants.
Highlights
Nightcrawler’s White House attack: A stunning opening sequence that blends teleportation, combat, and high-stakes tension.
Wolverine’s humor: Surprisingly, much of the film’s levity comes from Jackman’s gruff mutant in babysitter mode—his banter with the students adds charm.
Magneto’s entrance: As always, Ian McKellen makes Magneto a charismatic and dangerous presence. His last-minute rescue of the X-jet crew is a scene-stealer.
“Coming out” metaphor: Iceman revealing his powers to his family is handled with subtlety and becomes one of the film’s more resonant emotional beats.
What Doesn’t Work
Uneven character focus: While Wolverine gets ample screen time, other characters like Storm and Cyclops still feel underdeveloped.
Overstuffed cast: With so many mutants and subplots, it’s hard for each character to make a meaningful impression.
Effects overshadowed: While the film’s visuals are strong, they pale in comparison to the then-new *Matrix Reloaded* trailer—ironically shown before the movie.
Final Thoughts
*X2: X-Men United* improves on its predecessor in scope and confidence. It successfully juggles multiple storylines, delivers solid action, and sets the stage for bigger things in the franchise. While not quite in the same league as *Spider-Man* or *Batman*, it’s a polished entry in the superhero genre that knows exactly what kind of crowd-pleasing entertainment it wants to be. Hugh Jackman continues to prove he’s the franchise’s backbone, even if the spotlight dims the more he’s on screen. Overall, a fun and well-crafted sequel that helped cement the X-Men as major players in early 2000s comic book cinema.
Rating
⭐ Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Call to Action
Did *X2* set the gold standard for early superhero sequels? Let us know in the comments!
