Taut and gripping; U-571 follows the exploits of a fictional team of World War II U.S. submariners who undertake a secret mission to capture a German Enigma machine to decode German documents. Writer-director Jonathan Mostow (Breakdown) tells an intense; economical tale; reminiscent of the best classic war films; while infusing it with modern sentiments.

Spring 1942: A crew of young submarine sailors are on a much-needed 48-hour liberty when they're suddenly called together and engaged in an expedition. At the helm are Lieutenant Commander Mike Dahlgren (Bill Paxton); Lieutenant Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey); and Chief Klough (Harvey Keitel). Other pivotal crew members include Tyler's Annapolis pal Lieutenant Pete Emmett (Jon Bon Jovi; proving his acting mettle) and Lieutenant Hirsch (Jake Weber); who; along with Marine Major Coonan (David Keith); organizes the mission. As much of the movie takes place in a submarine during WWII; there are inevitable comparisons with the technical masterpiece Das Boot; but Mostow's masterfully shot tale can hold its own.

McConaughey's Tyler is believably earnest as he comes to grips with the reality; tragedy; and consequence of being in command. While this explosion-filled film consistently maintains its tense pace (as did the underrated Breakdown); it also presents with surprising restraint a genuine human story--and the remarkable journey of an unexpected hero. --N.F. Mendoza