A slick thriller but not enough of a story to support a plot.

Rating: 6/10 (8 January 2018)

The problem with basing a film on a true story is that the true story needs to be of sufficient interest. Any story that can be adequately summarised in one sentence - "A ship is hijacked and the Captain taken prisoner but is then rescued by the US Navy" is not going to be a great film.
That said, Hanks is excellent as always and the actors playing the Somalian hijackers are also very good. The film is well=paced and there is sufficient level of tension to keep the viewer's interest. B
Ultimately, however, the film leaves a feeling of "Is that it?" The final scene in which a shaken Hanks receives a medical is bizarre - and seems like a jarringly self-indulgent last plea for an Oscar! "Hey Academy! Look at my great acting!"