The Final Countdown

Name: The Final Countdown
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Released: August 1, 1980
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 51
Cast: Charles Durning, James Coleman, James Farentino, Joe Lowry, Katharine Ross

1980

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Mixed or average reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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The Final Countdown: What The Hell Is That?

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Movie Details & Credits

Producers Sales Organization (PSO) | Release Date: August 1, 1980 | PG

Starring: Charles Durning, James Coleman, James Farentino, Joe Lowry, Katharine Ross, Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Ron O'Neal, Soon-Tek Oh, Victor Mohica

Summary: A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Director: Don Taylor

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi

Rating: PG

Runtime: 103 min

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Critic Reviews

Andy Patrizio

It's a fun film that presents an interesting scenario and raises a unique possibility. What it lacks in depth and acting skills it more than makes up for as a thoroughly enjoyable popcorn film. Read full review

Jay Scott

The Final Countdown is an action picture, not a thoughtful rumination on time travel, nor even (per Time After Time) a picture with a puzzle - everything is subordinate here to the sweep and grandeur of an awe-inspiring, ocean-going masterpiece of American technology. [02 Aug 1980]

Staff (Not Credited)

As a documentary on the USS Nimitz, The Final Countdown is wonderful. As entertainment, however, it has the feeling of a telepic that strayed onto the big screen. The magnificent production values provided by setting the film on the world's largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier can't transcend the predictable cleverness of a plot that will seem overly familiar to viewers raised on Twilight Zone reruns. Read full review

Vincent Canby

The footage dealing with the mechanics of the Nimitz is, in fact, interesting, and there is one quite comic sequence in which several of the Nimitz's jet fighters take on two, totally baffled World War II-vintage Japanese Zeros. As an entertainment film, though, the movie is utter nonsense. [01 Aug 1980, p.C3]

Staff (Not Credited)

An idea worthy of Harlan Ellison, but disappointingly fumbled. Taylor handles most of the aircraft carrier material like a recruiting film, and though the script manages a few deft twists and turns, and even a neat final frisson, it ultimately works more on the tease level of a TV episode than as a movie. Read full review

Roger Ebert

This is the kind of movie that some kids would probably enjoy - it's filled with technology, special effects and action. But it just doesn't make any sense. And It lacks the wit to have fun with its time travel paradoxes, as last year's wonderful Time After Time did. It just plows ahead. Or behind. Or somewhere. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Little more than a lengthy Twilight Zone episode. Read full review

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User Reviews

Nyonben

Dec 29, 2021

I have fond memories of this movie as a child. It made me obsessed with F-14s waaaaay before Top Gun was even a thing. I enjoyed the use of actual footage from the USS Nimitz and generally, all the roles are acted sufficiently. Nothing really stands out, but if you're into theI have fond memories of this movie as a child. It made me obsessed with F-14s waaaaay before Top Gun was even a thing. I enjoyed the use of actual footage from the USS Nimitz and generally, all the roles are acted sufficiently. Nothing really stands out, but if you're into the time-traveling schtick and are a military buff then this movie is worth a watch.… Expand

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