Hunter Killer Review: 3 Ups & 5 Downs

Ups...

3. The Solid Central Performances

Though the cast aren't exactly given killer material to work with here, they deserve a measure of credit for at least lending it an acceptable amount of gravitas.

Gerard Butler leads the pack as sub Commander Joe Glass, and while it's a bit of a shame he decides to rein in his usual hammy excesses, he ultimately manages to achieve an impressively subdued and, yes, commanding lead performance.

Toby Stevens is also perfectly cast as the gruff, wise-cracking Navy SEAL Lieutenant Bill Beaman, and seems to be one of the few actors truly in touch with the kind of movie he's starring in.

Linda Cardellini meanwhile does solid - if thankless - work as NSA analyst Jayne Norquist, and of course, we can't forget the late Michael Nyqvist, who gives a compelling turn as Russian sub Commander Captain Sergei Andropov in one of his final performances.

Again, the material sure ain't Oscar worthy, but the performances certainly rise above the low standard you're most likely expecting.