Pulsating deadly secure operation
Bakang Israel | Friday February 12, 2016 12:37
On February 18, 1952, a massive storm split the SS Pendleton in two, trapping more than 30 sailors inside the tanker’s sinking stern.
Engineer Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck/Intersteller, 2014) bravely takes charge to organise a strategy for his fellow survivors.
As word of the disaster reaches the Coast Guard in Chatham, Massachusetts, Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff (Eric Bana/Hulk, 2003) orders a daring rescue mission.
Despite the ferocious weather, coxswain Bernie Webber (Chris Pine/Unstoppable, 2010) takes three men on a lifeboat to try and save the crew against seemingly impossible odds.
Now when you need a lead actor and a hero, for that matter in rather deadly missions, Pine is your man for suicidal roles, if you can remember how he thrived in the blockbuster Unstoppable alongside Denzel Washington.
He is back in a similar role flirting with danger, and putting his life on the line as an amateur coastguard who has to prove himself when it matters.
The Finest Hours has a vintage look.
The movie starts well, but gets a bit boring when it gets to the important, but vague history phase. The thriller, however, is very moving because it puts a lot of things into perspective.
The film has a number of themes, which include love, family, risky careers, courage and survival.
For instance, a man has to take a deadly mission under ferocious stormy sea conditions.
The Finest Hours gives something to think about and gets your critical juices flowing. This thriller is also intense and daring because of the mind-blowing action and the nature of stunts; imagine the environment you work in transforming into a vicious life-sucking monster.
That is what goes down in the film.
The crew had no idea that they would get trapped in their boats and fight for their survival.
The action that brought the thrill from the odds faced by an amateur team going on a rescue mission using merely a live boat as well as a ship crew trying to steer a half split SS Pendleton oil tanker to safety with less men is enjoyable.
It is also a very scary experience thanks to the special effects of CGI (computer generated imagery) and heart pounding sound effects.
As the waves shook the boats, it felt like the walls of the cinema will succumb to the powerful waters.
The sound also makes one’s heart skip a beat. Pine and his supporting act in Afflect were very lukewarm, and they lacked impetus.
The movie has similarities with the 1997 Titanic, especially the ice-cold waters and situations.
The Finest Hours was released in the Disney Digital 3D, 3D, and IMAX 3D formats on January 29, 2016.
The film turned out not to have the finest hours in theatres. According to box office statistics, the movie had a production budget of $80 million, but is has so far pocketed only $24 million since its release. The film premiered at the number four spot at the box office. Currently the film is at number six at the box office.
The top five movies in the world currently:
1. Kung Fu Panda 3
2. Hail, Caesar!
3. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
4. The Revenant
5. The Choice
This was an over ambitious effort, which failed to meet expectations, as such I will give the film a six out 10.
Perhaps the film was restricted by the fact that it was a true life story interpretation.
Movie: The Finest Hours
Genre: Action, Drama, History, Thriller
Duration: 1 hour 57 mins
Age Restriction: 13
Release Date: February 5, 2016
Director: Craig Gillespie
Main Cast: Chris Pine (Bernie Webber), Casey Affleck (Ray Syber), Eric Bana (Daniel Cluff) and Holliday Grainger (Miriam)