In August 1943 the submarine USS Tiger Shark picks up three survivors from a torpedoed British hospital ship. Two are with the British military and one, it turns out, is a German prisoner. Claire (Olivia Williams), a nurse, is regarded as bad news on board and the unflattering and sexist remarks by the sailors begin to fly.

A mystery exists about the death of the ship's Captain, which has put Lt. Brice (Bruce Greenwood of "Thirteen Days"), in charge. Ensign Douglas O'Dell (Matt Davis of "Blue Crush") suspects that he does not have the full story. O'Dell becomes an ally of Claire's to determine what the answers to his questions are. The crew would like to go home with a "kill," especially since they have passed on several targets so far.

Most submarine movies have a common thread as we wait for the depth charges to explode, which causes the pipes to gush water, trapping some shipmates between compartments to drown. While explosive charges head toward the sub, an apparent dud bounces along the deck, as the sailor's follow its dull, echoing progress. Later a drag hook literally rips into the sides of the ship.

As great a threat as depth charges and the severe damage done by the drag hooks is the continuous leaking of oil, which leaves slicks on the water, indicating the sub's position and making it impossible to surface. Remaining submerged is causing the level of hydrogen to reach dangerous levels, to the extent the sub could become a watery Hindenburg. Other mysteries afloat are the strange occurrences and sightings below. In the early days of submarine battles, too much hydrogen could case the symptom "hydrogen narcosis," a condition noted for causing nightmarish visions and wild hallucinations that have been compared to LSD. The crew can no longer trust what they hear or see. Is it the hydrogen or could it be some form of ghosts? This has the feel of a haunted house film except that you don't have the option of walking out of the door.

"Below" moves into new submarine movie territory, as the story explores supernatural elements as strange as those in "The Ring." Lt. Loomis (Holt McCallany of "Panic Room") observes a reflection in the mirror, whose movements don't quite line up with his own. Although the story is somewhat muddled in the middle, things do become clear at the end.

George likes submarine movies so much that he has a section just for that on the web site at www.reelmoviecritic.com. The submarine at the Science and Industry Museum has always fascinated him and the fact that Pam's father served on a sub for four years in WWII, and was a Pearl Harbor survivor from the ship USS Helena, probably intensifies his curiosity. Still, as much fun as the film is, there just seems to be something missing. It may be more from high expectations than the failings of the film. George loved the recent Harrison Ford film "K-19: The Widowmaker," and based upon the tepid box office results, you moviegoers were underwhelmed. So in this case, take the popcorn box rating with a grain of salt.