Torpedo (2019)

Well, wouldn't you believe it? My little country made an over the top action film and it actually works!

Awesomesauce!

Sure, the international title of 'U-235' (the number of the submarine) is once again one of those times where decent to good Belgian films get fucked over thanks to a mediocre or shitty international title. Here, it is just called 'Torpedo', period. And you had better see it.

During the beginning of the Second World War, there is a motley band of misfits that kill Germans with extreme prejudice. Check the opening scene for some of this insanity. I am not even joking: the editing, shot composition and pacing remind me of Tarantino at times, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Also: it's often so over the top that it becomes hilarious. 

Sure, it's a rag tag bunch, but they are good at what they do and a Belgian major wants them for a top secret operation, one that also could easily spell doom for all. The job is to deliver a payload of uranium to the US with a stolen German U-boat and a captive German captain who has to teach them the ropes, because none of these guys (and girl) have the slightest idea how to run this machine. Their leader has a tragic backstory which explains why he hates the Nazis so much, but in all fairness, it doesn't add that much to the overall plot. It does make for probably the most gruesome scene in the entire film, just by suggestion alone. You'll know it when you see it. 

Next to that, the banter between these guys is oftentimes funny and the battle scenes are brutal and almost uncharacteristically Belgian. If this was not in Dutch and German for the most part, but all in English, I'm sure it would have gotten more attention. 

Yes, I keep hammering on how excellent this one is for the Belgian film indfustry, that is usually known for either things to do with farmers, psychological drama/thrillers or police stories, but this is one of the few instances I can recall that they went for suspense and action and went all in. The production values are top notch and the director gets the most out of his cast and location. Especially the claustrophobic setting of the submarine is played out very well. 

Sure, there are some clichés to nitpick about and not everything runs as smoothly as one could wish, but for entertainment and balls to the wall action, this is excellent stuff. I could have done without the soppy 'happy ending', but hey, that is a minor gripe. 

Please check this one out, as not too many people have seen it or know about it. This one absolutely deserves more attention!