Poster of Operation Hadal Photo: IC 
Set in the near future, Operation Hadalfocuses on two main scenarios: submarine warfare and special forces underwater operations. Unlike some military films that incorporate romantic subplots, this movie stays true to its action-packed roots. The immersive cinematography provides viewers with an engaging depiction of submarine and submersible interiors, even if the portrayal isn't entirely realistic due to its fictional nature. It predicts futuristic technologies such as advanced nuclear submarines, flying devices for individual soldiers and robotic dogs. The robot dogs, in particular, leave audiences a lasting impression. While they look overpowered, unmanned warfare is indeed a direction for future military development.
However, the film struggles with narrative depth and logical consistency. The plot feels contrived, as if designed solely to facilitate specific action sequences rather than to tell a compelling story. Some scenes defy military logic, and character development is notably weak. For instance, a moment when an officer suddenly plays a harmonica during a tense battle feels more like an attempt by the filmmakers to evoke emotion rather than a natural progression of the story. The film's dual focus on submarine warfare and special forces operations complicates its narrative. While this approach adds complexity and intensity, it also leaves viewers unsure of the film's primary focus. Is it a submarine movie or a special forces movie? Certain submarine combat scenes evoke memories of classics like The Hunt for Red October, but Operation Hadalfails to reach the same level of artistic or storytelling excellence.
Unlike its prequel, the critically acclaimed Operation Red Sea, which was grounded in real-life counter-terrorism and evacuation missions, Operation Hadalrelies on a fictional, futuristic premise. This makes it harder for the filmmakers to tell a compelling, realistic story that audiences can connect with, particularly considering the high sensitivity and confidentiality of real-life submarine operations.
Looking beyond the film's plot, the underwater battlefield is a strategic domain for any maritime power. However, due to its highly sensitive nature, much information is not publicly disclosed. The general public can only catch glimpses of China's submarine development through limited official sources such as military parades, exhibitions and carefully worded reports in state media. Now, this topic has been brought to the public through a fictional story in the futuristic settings of the film, offering a basic understanding of related concepts.
Watching the film naturally leads one to wonder about the current state of China's underwater battlefield capabilities. Since 2024, China's electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier Fujianhas undergone sea trials, the first Type 076 amphibious assault ship with an electromagnetic catapult has been launched, and the first Type 054B frigate has entered service. Beyond the seas, there are also wide-spread videos depicting test flights of alleged Chinese sixth-generation fighter jets. It is only natural that audiences wonder if Chinese submarines are similarly advanced, and are world-class standards already in development, production, or even in service?
On Thursday, Huang Xuhua, the chief designer of China's first-generation nuclear submarines, passed away at the age of 99. We hope that China's shipbuilding industry and the navy can honor Huang's legacy with steady development, and we believe that China's underwater battlefield capabilities will surely safeguard national sovereignty, security, and developmental interests.
The author is a reporter with the Global Times. [email protected]
