Intrepid (2000)

Good concept, poorly executed.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

INTREPID is a cheap B-movie rip-off thriller that copies THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE in the setting of an overturned cruise ship. The twists here involve nuclear weapons and a crack squad of terrorists who prowl the lone survivors, picking them off one by one. The most obvious thing when watching is just how cheap and reckless this film is. Little effort has gone into the story and the scripting is pure cheese throughout. Cast-wise, you get Costas Mandylor as the square-jawed hero and old-timer James Coburn as the tired captain. Alex Hyde-White shows up too. The action is virtually non-existent and the various plot twists make you laugh more than anything else.

I am surprised that no one has yet to comment on the scenes early on that were taken directly from the TV show: "The Love Boat". People walking up the gangway, people waving good bye etc. There is one scene where you can actually read "Pacific Princess" on the ship while the voice over (supposedly a radio reporter) is calling it the "Intrepid". This quite possibly was the worst movie I have ever seen. If I was not locked in a foreign hotel room on a stormy day with exactly one English Channel, I would have baled. I almost opted to watch soccer in German rather than this. There was not enough alcohol in the mini-bar to take away the pain.

Many people pick up a film and expect to watch good actors reading a good script. In this movie you will find neither. What you will find is an excellent B-Movie. It has all the good things about any B-movie, action, water, and it doesnt make much sense. If you are looking for some descent action without having to pay attention to the story then this film is perfect.

I watched this film on cable whilst on holiday, and immediately regretted spending a valuable 90 minutes of holiday time on it. The plot was a rehash of every disaster movie ever made1. Nuke lost & blown up 2. Passenger ship caught in the tidal wave 3. Secret passengers & spies on board 4. Rescue begins whilst being hampered by secret passengers & spies 5. Etc. etc.Terrible acting, thin plots, truly dreadful special effect. My recommendation would be to spend that 90 mins catching up with old friends, mowing the lawn, washing the car, cleaning the fluff from your belly button - anything except watching this film.