Down Periscope (1996)

Directed by David S. Ward. Starring Kelsey Grammer, Rob Schneider, Bruce Dern, Lauren Holly, Rip Torn, Toby Huss, William H. Macy, Ken Hudson Campbell, Bradford Tatum, Harland Williams, Harry Dean Stanton, Duane Martin, Jonathan Penner. [PG-13]

Mild naval comedy has Grammer as an unconventional skipper who’s finally given command of his own boat, a rust-bucket diesel sub with a shoddy crew to match. In playing a series of war games with bitter rival Dern, however, he proves his mettle while whipping the misfits into shape. May not sink like a stone, but it’s hardly seaworthy, and the pic finds itself in a strange position where it takes itself more seriously than it probably should, especially considering the low, crude nature of most of the jokes. Workhorse Stanton is wasted as the chief engineer (did most of his scenes end up on the cutting room floor?), but, hey, here’s an opportunity in the 90s to hear Frasier Crane drop an f-bomb. Film debut for Patton Oswalt in a minor shipmate role.

40/100