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USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage
2016 128 min United States of America R 18+
★4.9
Action, War
Director: Mario Van Peebles
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
The harrowing true story of the crew of the USS Indianapolis, who were stranded in the Philippine Sea for five days after delivering the atomic weapons that would eventually end WWII. As they awaited rescue, they endured extreme thirst, hunger, and relentless shark attacks.
Budget:
$40M
Worldwide:
$2.16M
Starring
Nicolas Cage
Actor
Tom Sizemore
Actor
Thomas Jane
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage is a polarizing war drama that receives credit for its earnest attempt to honor a tragic historical event, despite being hampered by a limited budget and uneven execution. While some viewers appreciate the compelling subject matter and Nicolas Cage's committed performance, others find the film's production quality, visual effects, and tonal inconsistencies to be significant barriers to engagement.
| Culture | The film succeeds in its respectful intent to document the historical tragedy of the USS Indianapolis and pay tribute to the survivors. | |
| Production | The visual effects are widely criticized as cheap, dated, and unconvincing, often undermining the gravity of the maritime disaster. | |
| Acting | Opinions on Nicolas Cage's performance are divided; some praise his ability to ground the film with a strong, compassionate portrayal, while others view his work as underdeveloped or typical of his B-movie output. | |
| Screenplay | The script is criticized for relying on tired clichés, such as forced love triangles and derivative subplots, which dilute the focus on the central survival story. | |
| Direction | Directorial competence is a point of contention; critics argue that Mario Van Peebles lacks the necessary experience for a war epic, resulting in a fragmented and tonally inconsistent narrative. | |
| Pacing | The pacing and structure are polarizing, with some finding the tension effectively sustained throughout the ordeal, while others find the narrative stretched, monotonous, and cluttered with irrelevant subplots. |