User Reviews

I never understood why so many people hated this film. Maybe it's the whole tongue in cheek attitude this film took toward the military and the good ol'boy system which seems to encompass within the ranks. Or maybe the military is too much of a sacred institution to make fun of (yeah right!). Nonetheless, I felt the film was funny in many parts, despite the rather improbably ending and premise. However, this film did have a great collection of comics who have their own little quirky following. Harland Williams, Rip Torn, Harry Dean Stanton, Kelsey Grammar, Rob Schneider and William H. Macy all gave solid performances, reciting their lines with a great amount of wit. And to note, Lauren Holly looked ravishing with her natural blonde hair (which was a shock, considering I had only seen her in red up to that point).

This is a VERY underrated movie to say the least. As has been pointed out in previous posts, this movie has a somewhat loose and highly implausible script but you find yourself saying "Who cares?" while shooting milk (or insert beverage of your choice here) through your nose. It was indeed due to a rare mix of actors in sync. While Kelsey Grammar is obviously a gifted actor (reference 'Frasier', this movie) the supporting actors/actress play their roles quite well. I found in interesting how they threw in the part about Duane Martin blowing the shot in the 'big game' for Navy's basketball team; if any of you is a basketball fan you'll remember Martin from 'White Men Can't Jump' and 'Above the Rim' and you'll know that Martin had a short stint in the NBA with the Knicks. Nice how they threw in believable character attributes such as this. Rob Schneider's anal-retentive character was the perfect offset to Grammar's calm demeanor. Lauren Holly played the gutsy-sexpot-with-a-brain well enough to make you want her to succeed. This is a movie that will make you laugh even if you've seen it many times before...the comic bits in this movie definitely last. I still find myself laughing 12 years later.

"Is that one of my chickens?" "Uhhh...no. This a parrot....from the Caribbean." "Well don't let it fly away...that's supper." "Arrrrr.....arr."

Sometimes juvenile, sometimes stupid and sometimes very predictable.....but yet this was a fun movie that is charming at times, too. It wasn't good enough to be a "keeper," but I did enjoy watching this.

The humor is a little sleazy at times but the language wasn't too bad. Kelsey Grammar plays a likable role in the Navy comedy. Most of his crew are somewhat stupid characters but I did like the sonar man with the great hearing. Lauren Holy was okay as the female interest but Rob Schneider was just plain annoying and tended to overact. He's either very funny or very stupid in his films. Bruce Dern, as always, was an effective "bad guy."

The story is a favorite of the film industry: a bunch of rag-tag misfits and rebels somehow outwit and outmaneuver the larger Establishment experts with their high-tech machinery. No matter how improbable or ridiculous, Hollywood will not stop that formula Nonetheless, it's decent lightweight entertainment with a nice, sentimental ending.

Odd, though: what I remember most is the guys stuffing cotton swabs up their nose! If you've seen the film, you know what I'm talking about.

I first saw this movie when it came out on video within months of its theatrical release in 1996. I remember how I laughed much more than I expected.

I haven't watched the film until it came out on cable TV recently. Even though I knew the plot and many of the jokes, I still found myself laughing as hard as when I first saw it. I was pleasantly surprised that the movie still had an appeal after all these years and many of the actors in the film did a great job without being overly done. Kelsey Grammer, in particular, played a very likeable commander and even though he had the goofiest men under his command, Grammer brought out the best in each of them.

This movie is much more believeable to watch than any of the Police Academy movies. Being a former Navy vet myself, the language made sense to me and after watching a super serious thriller like "U-571" recently, Down Periscope still kept within the framework of what is acceptable and believeable within the Navy. If you haven't seen this film, I highly recommend it for pure entertainment and escapism.

This never intended to vie for an oscar, it was supposed to be a comedy from the start.

It's sort of McHales navy joins the dirty dozen, and becomes operation petticoat.

There were numerous good laughs in the movie. If you look it up understanding it is supposed to be a comedy you will enjoy it.

Several of the misfits on this crew have their own eccentricities to work out. There are actually a few moments when you get that hair up on the back of the neck feeling. It does a pretty good job of showing some of the hazards of submarine duty.

Some of the cast are quirky, some gorgeous like Lauren Holly, and one totally annoying character who they make walk the plank.

I will probably watch it again in a few weeks just for the gags.

I really don't understand all the bad reviews here. This is a fun film with a great cast. Some people are just to serious to enjoy a good happy and fun movie.

It starts a little slow but give it a chance. In the spirit of the "Wackiest Ship in the Arm" and the "Pink Sub" this movie is about a not so orthodox group engaged in not so orthodox methods to outwit everyone. Rob Schneider is priceless as a LT that takes himself way too seriously which results in a failed mutiny attempt and "pirate" crew makes him walk the plank. In contrast Kelsey Grammar(similar to Cary Grant)does not take anything to serious except the job. This movie is more about lines than plot. From the "beered up" fisherman in Charleston harbor to the "whale" decoy, their antics took me by surprise and I laughed out loud.

I gave this film a two because the plot made perfect sense and arrived with the proper pace. I docked it eight stars for being one of the most agonizing films I've ever sat through in a theater. That's right, I saw this more than ten years ago when it came out, and remember it to this day because it was so bad.

Close to none of the jokes caused a change in the silence of the audience. At one point somebody even booed a joke it was so crappy. I remember actually counting the seconds of awkwardness after some jokes where the movie almost seemed to pause, hoping for the laughter that would never come.

This movie would have done much better as a drama that had extremely mild comic relief, if only the premise weren't corny already. I'm surprised Kelsey Grammar got any work after this, because absent his deep baritone he obviously can't carry a movie on his own.

There was a recent documentary on making movies, that featured a long list of actors and directors talking about what its like to make movies. One common theme was you can have a great script, great cast, the best director and lots of money and still create a bad movie.

Down Periscope is proof of the corollary to that theory. Not an original or terribly well written screenplay. A few solid actors, but mostly unknowns, and this movie just makes you laugh out loud! It would be easy to just say that Kelsey Grammar carried this movie, but that isn't truly the case. Other character actors, like Rob Schneider, and the hilarious Harland Williams, added significantly to the enjoyability of the film.

Cast dynamics, or that mysterious "movie magic" are really what happened here, creating a film that flows smoothly, has incredibly well executed transitions and line after line of well written and well performed dialog.

A preposterous premise, lots and lots of technical inaccuracies and just plan silly things that could not happen in the real world, or the real navy, but you just don't care. As a merchant marine myself, I found that the overall feel of the movie, while not plausible, was also not too far off the mark as far as life at sea goes.

This is a VERY funny movie, a good family film, and, particularly if your a fan, lots of Kelsey Grammar wit, sarcasm and just damn funniness.

Down Periscope is the right kind of goofy, a light tone and a handful of good laughs. Grammar is perfect for the role with his deadpan jokes and commanding nature. The storyline is unique and the characters have great chemistry. A low-key good movie.

...a comedy without any laughs! A couple of misfits (a la police academy) in an old submarine, under leadership of miscasted Grammer (who apparently has a tattoo on his you know what, the source of more than half of the 'jokes' in this movie) play war games against cocky general with new submarine. Sound familiar? Boring and totally not funny. 2/10

Surprisingly good and quick-witted adventure that features Kelsey Grammer (supposedly in his first lead role in a feature) as an unconventional Navy sub commander who wants to run a nuclear sub of his own, however; he has earn it by competing against the U.S. Navy in a series of war-games with a crew of untested, questionable, and lovable men (and a woman, too).

Director David S. Ward ("Major League") and his writers have put together a hysterically clever and upbeat comedy that tries to make the film easy to understand, which they do quite well. Second, besides the Grammer character, most of the crew provide some or plenty of the movie's humor, which is treated like a double-edged sword. Three members of the supporting cast - Harland Williams, Toby Huss, and Rob Schneider provide the funniest scenes, which includes weird gestures, impersonations, and, well, their personalities.

"Down Periscope" is more than a Navy version of "Police Academy" or "The Dirty Dozen". What the film does is get the job done the right way and I liked it.

Yes, if he were not in this movie I would have probably knocked it down to a five or so. As it is he does a rather good job as the leader of his own submarine fool of misfits that it adds a bit to this flick. Granted it does seem almost like a television movie in terms of its quality, it is a comedy though so a cheap look does not detract from it as much as say a action movie. The story has Grammar as a naval officer who wishes to be in charge of his own sub. However, he has done things in the past that prevent this. He is given one chance though to change this as he must lead a rag tag crew on board a very old submarine against a very new and modern sub in a war game type scenario. Basic plot for the most part, a few other stars besides Grammar including Rip Torn, Bruce Dern, and William H. Macy. Rob Schnieder is also in it, but he is a bit annoying...happily he makes a nice exit midway through the film. Most of the crew is made up of actors that you have seen before, but mainly in smaller roles or as background type people. The comedy is okay for the most part, the plot somewhat predictable, still it is a somewhat good comedy worth a chuckle or two.

Christ what an abomination!!! What a disgrace!!! Who thought this was a good movie?

Being an ex-submariner on both diesel and nuc boats, I wasn't looking for a true to life Navy movie. I have enjoyed Down Periscope over and over again. Sure, some if not most of the realism of life on a submarine is skimmed over, but this adds to the appeal by creating a simplistic story line that is easy and fun to follow. I swear I knew most of the crew of the Stingray. The excellent cast made for an even more enjoyable movie. I don't want to get into specifics about little things that may not have been correct because that would only serve to detract from what I feel is an excellent movie to enjoy for its entertainment. So sit back, relax and "Let's kick this pig"

This film is about a bunch of misfits who are supposed to be assigned to a task that is expected to fail miserably. The misfits pull together to successfully complete their mission.

Hilarity ensues.

Like the "Police Academy" films, the humor comes from the kooky characters on the boat. I thought it was an engaging film and I will stop to watch it anytime it is on TV. No, it won't cause you to ponder your relative role in the cosmos or inspire you to do great things for the service of mankind, but it is fun enough entertainment for 90-some-odd minutes. Plus, Lauren Holly looks hot in a naval uniform.

Frasier plays an unconventional navy captain given the chance to lead a rag-tag crew of sailors on a submarine war game mission. Hilarity ensues.

When this movie was released it didn't get the kindest reviews. I caught it on TV and expected it to be terrible. To the contrary it was good solid entertainment, well paced, well-acted (for it's type of movie), and just fun to watch. Kelsey Grammer did not do a "Dr. Crane" take but simply played the character for what it was, a competent, if somewhat irreverant at times, Sub Commander. The rest of the cast filled out their characters by taking them near to "over the top" without doing so, except for Rob Snieder - which was OK. His over the top character fit into the movie just fine. It didn't win any accademy's but I don't think anyone involved ever expected it would. If you want a movie that is enjoyable and light and could hold the interests of anyone of almost any age above 8, this should do it.

The most disappointing movie I've ever seen. I am a Kelsey Grammar fan and was looking forward to enjoying his form of witty humor when it premiered in theaters. Instead, I was bored to death by stupid, juvenile slapstick and bathroom humor - the opposite of what Grammar excels at.

Not one person in the audience uttered a single laugh during this agonizingly boring film. The inclusion of Rob Schneider, who is the embodiment of puerile humor, makes perfect sense, but Grammar should have avoided this one like the plague. This film was so unexpectedly bad that its memory inspired me to register here to warn other Grammar fans. I can only imagine that he must not have read the script before he accepted the part or he was desperate to accept his first leading movie role.

This is one of those movies the critics really missed the mark on. This movie is practically McHale's Navy for the 90s or Police Academy at sea. Grammer proves he can play roles other than Frasier as he outwits and outfoxes the Navy in order to get his own sub. Rob Schneider is as wormy as usual, the same in every role he plays, and Lauren Holly is the local sexpot albeit with a brain. Ken Hudson Campbell is as funny as usual with almost every line a catch phrase. The movie has a wonderful intelligent plot and a non-predictable script that still surprises me every time I watch it. Many of the Navy phrases and terms go over my head, though, but it's a small obstacle for the sheer accuracy and realism of the movie and its characters.

Surprisingly uplifting, "Down Periscope' is more than just another underdogs against the U.S. Navy. The first half shines with comedy, mostly of the slapstick variety. The great cast is what makes the movie work so well. Kelsey Grammer is well supported by Rob Schneider, Bruce Dern, William H. Macy, Rip Torn, and Harry Dean Stanton. It would have been very easy for this to degenerate into a sexist ass grabbing mistake of a film, but it wisely does not. Lauren Holly is certainly a eyeful on board a submarine, however she remains fully clothed, and is an integral part of the second half when the script shifts from farce to pretty engrossing nautical maneuvers. Overall, "Down Periscope" is a very happy movie experience with plenty of laughs. - MERK

I like Kelsey Grammar very much and I was looking forward to seeing this movie when it first came out in theaters, so I was shocked by how bad it was--boring and juvenile with really bad jokes. I nearly fell asleep during it. If it wasn't for the fact that I was with someone else, I would have left before it was over, which I've only been inclined to do during two other theater movies. Given Kelsey's long career of higher-brow humor I was surprised by the low-brow humor.

One of my least favorite movies. Might be OK for a 12-year-old boy who is easily entertained. If you are interested in this sort of thing, I recommend the old McHale's Navy TV program instead.

I've enjoyed this movie ever since I first saw it in the theatre. Some movies have a cast of characters and a script that come together in perfect synergy, and this is one of them. The characters illustrate some truths about getting the best out of people, working together harmoniously, building a team and achieving goals, without ever preaching morality. The situations are crafted well and are consistent with the movie's opening premise. The tension builds nicely and the humor is clean and consistent throughout. The movie manages to pull me right in to root for the characters, and to laugh pretty well all the way through. This is a feel good movie as good as they come.

What amazes me is that a movie which appears so simple can be so long term entertaining. The music is a perfect copy of music in the typical serious post war navy movies, which helps to create the humor and point out that greatness is in the eye of the beholder. The scenes in the credits are a great music video of "In the Navy", which deserve their own full screen special feature. The scenes and cuts are crafted well, and the casting and acting is right on.

This movie is a classic as great as any ever made, without any pretensions. In fact, the lack of pretension is what makes it so much fun to watch. I love these guys and gal.

The other day I thought of the film, and wondered whether it was available on DVD. Good fortune has come to us, and the DVD came out in May 2004. I headed to the store, and snapped up a copy. Then my wife and I enjoyed another hilarious night in front of the big screen. I've rated this movie as a 10 because it comes together on all levels, far better than many high budget films and Oscar winners. This is entertainment.

Listen up Fox home video: you have a great movie in your vaults, and it's a shame to find a cheap shot DVD with badly degraded off tint colors only 8 years since release. So why not restore the colors and present the film as it was meant to be seen? I'd gladly pay a few bucks more to get the picture right. I'm grateful to have my own copy. Now give us the eye candy that the film deserves, and how about recreating the credit sequence as a full screen music video special feature.

This is a fun movie that never takes itself too seriously or tries to be a spoof. This is simply a believable rag-tag crew coming together to beat a boss who has stacked the deck against them movie. You've seen it before, you'll see it again.

Well after reading all the positive reviews on here I guess I don't have the same sense of humor as most of the people. I'm not going to pretend there was nothing funny about this movie but it's just not hilarious and so to me it doesn't deserve such a high rating. Maybe I underrated it a bit just to bring the high score a bit down. Down Periscope reminds me a bit of Police Academy, a bit of the same silly humor, but Police Academy was just so much better. Kelsey Grammer is and will always remain Frasier to me. That's what's happening when you've been on television for so long. He's the better actor in Down Periscope though. I thought I would laugh much more when I saw the high ratings so I'm naturally disappointed.