The Final Countdown

With a tantalizing “what-if?” scenario and a respectable cast of Hollywood veterans, 1980's The Final Countdown plays like a grand-scale episode of The Twilight Zone with a time-travel twist. Namely, what if a modern-era Navy aircraft carrier—in this case the real-life nuclear-powered USS Nimitz—is 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 a whole lot with the ideas posed by this potentially intriguing plot, but rather 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). Ultimately, The Final Countdown is a better Navy film than a sci-fi fantasy (and yes, James Cameron would've done it better), but as a popcorn thriller this still holds up reasonably well, especially with its spiffy new Blu-ray transfer. Extras include an audio commentary with cinematographer Victor J. Kemper, an interview with associate producer Lloyd Kaufman (of Toxic Avenger fame), and a featurette on the Jolly Roger F-14s. Recommended for larger collections. (J. Shannon)