Down Periscope (1996)

Sadly Over-hyped

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Great Film overall

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Kelsey Grammar played 'Fraiser' for 20 years across 'Cheers' and the character's spin-off show, winning lots of acclaim along the way. And quite rightly, nobody delivers a line like Grammar! The downside of this though is that its very difficult to prove to people that you can play anyone different. This film is a failed attempt at him doing so.There are laughs to be found, they're just quite spread out. The film is also not helped by a particularly slow opening 5-10 minutes, which do nothing to differentiate between 'Frasier Crane' and Grammar's character here.It's undemanding, fairly amusing fun, but Grammar will always be known for the character that made his name.

It's the last chance for rebellious Tom Dodge (Kelsey Grammar) to command a submarine. He's given the rusty obsolete diesel-powered USS Stingray and a crew of misfits by Admiral Graham (Bruce Dern). Marty Pascal (Rob Schneider) is the XO with a crew including Emily Lake (Lauren Holly), Howard (Harry Dean Stanton), and Sonar (Harland Williams). Intelligence shows the Russians activating their diesel fleet. Admiral Winslow (Rip Torn) gives Dodge an assignment to test the Navy's defense. Graham sends Captain Knox (William H. Macy) and the modern attack sub USS Orlando.Ten years earlier, this would have been led by Steve Guttenberg. Kelsey Grammar isn't quite the same. He doesn't have the rebellious carefree personality. I would rather have Guttenberg past his prime. That would fit the character anyways. He's suppose to be past his prime with a final shot at the captaincy. Other than that, this is a functional submarine comedy adventure. It would be a lot better with a leader who fits the role.

Down Periscope (1996): Dir: David Ward / Cast: Kelsey Grammar, Lauren Holly, Rip Torn, Rob Schneider, Harland Williams: Washout comedy that gives new meaning to low budget. Kelsey Grammar has a dream that unfortunately doesn't involve pulling the plug on this project. He wishes to command his own submarine and crew, which he eventually does but the sub is a rust bucket. Among the crew is Lauren Holly who wishes to become the first female submarine commander for the Navy. The crew play mean spirited pranks on her such as stealing her bra. Title indicates unsuccessful misfits but we already know that they will be rewarded for putting up with each other. David Ward, who previously made The Program, directs this film like a really bad sitcom with a budget of all of five dollars. Grammar is basically reciting his Fraser role. We know that he will gain respect in the conclusion but nobody really cares. We also know that Holly will prove herself and become higher rank and nobody cares about that either. Rip Torn and Rob Schneider are wasting time when they could be looking for better film projects. Harland Williams appears to be under a worst joke than drinking urine in Dumb and Dumber. It regards underdogs or underachievers, which pretty much sums up the screenwriter's ambition when penning this dreadful sinker. This film should be sunk…down a toilet. Score: 1 / 10

i bought both this movie and McHale's Navy cheap at the same time.i thought McHale's navy was pretty much a disaster.it's supposed to be funny,but i didn't think so.Down Periscope is in a similar vein,but is actually fairly funny at times.it's not great,but i did laugh on occasion.Kelsey Grammar is the main star.Lauren Holly,Bruce Dern,William H.Macy,Harland Williams,and Rip Torn also star,among others.even Rob Schneider has a role,but he is actually funny here.of course,he isn't the main character so that helps.along with some laughs,there's also a bit of action and excitement.in the end the movie turns out pretty decent.my vote for Down Periscope is a 6/10