Down Periscope MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: -1

DOWN PERISCOPE is a hilarious comedy about a special U.S. Navy submarine and its motley crew. It can't help but be funny when an amiable, caring Navy Commander is assigned to an old dilapidated submarine with a rag tag crew of misfits to accomplish an important Naval warfare experiment. Kelsey Grammer of the popular "Frasier" TV show, plays Lt. Commander Tom Dodge, the Naval officer who must maneuver his old sub into Norfolk harbor and sink a dummy ship, even though the harbor is guarded by modern day subs and battleships on the lookout for him. The film is full of comical antics, mishaps, and a strong camaraderie which he and his crew experience. In one scene, the old sub is almost detected on the ocean floor, but the sonar operator makes some whale like noises making the pursuers move on believing they've only identified a whale. It also has some pathos centered around Emily Lake, a young insecure female lieutenant aboard the sub whom Grammer encourages and develops into a confident officer. Audiences will leave this film with a smile on their faces and a feeling of being thoroughly entertained.

Even though Commander Dodge is unconventional and a bit wacky himself, he is concerned about his crew and treats them well. He tries to bring out the best in each one and has encouraging words for all of them. He treats Emily with respect and kindness and wins her admiration and friendship. Also, in a crisis, he wins a vote of confidence from the crew when his Executive Officer accuses him of violating their orders. Since this is a film about military life, the producers undoubtedly felt that some salty language should be used for realism, and the dialogue is polluted with a number of obscene words and several profanities. Happily, there is no crude sexual content, although a few suggestive quips are made by the men, and one comical scene shows Emily in a tight fitting, revealing uniform. If it were not for the offensive language in the film, we could wholeheartedly recommend DOWN PERISCOPE for teenagers and adults.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: 20th Century Fox Film Corp., 10201 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036