Jake Huard, from a shipbuilders family, promised his dying mother he'ld make it to Anapolis Naval Academy. Thanks to tenaciously bugging a Congressman, he's selected despite dubious grades. Once inside, Jake soon proves sub-standard academically. Constantly challenged to his limits, repeatedly made the 'over-cocky' reason for the entire class to suffer, Jake nearly quits, but after facing his utterly un-supportive father's gloating returns just in time. Stubborn Jake finds support withs mates as well as Senor Ali, his lover-to-be, and a discipline he may excel in: the 'brigade' boxing tournament, open to all ranks.
Direction
Justin Lin's kinetic boxing sequences hint at his Fast & Furious future.
Acting
Tyrese Gibson somehow makes 'tough drill sergeant with heart' feel fresh.
Costume
Those crisp white uniforms deserve their own billing.
Director
Justin Lin
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Justin Lin's first studio feature after Better Luck Tomorrow, and you can feel him itching to break into bigger action sequences.
The real Naval Academy refused to cooperate after reading the script—so they filmed at Delaware's 'fake' academy stand-in instead.
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