Nail biting drama delivers a full cargo load

Rating: 10/10 (4 February 2014)

First of all, in my view, if Mr. Hanks were to be seen in 2 or 6 films per year and they were as good as this one then all of them deserved a full menu of award nominations. That the Academy decided that Mr. Hanks was to be overlooked for best actor award shows once again that it has had its rudder shot off and it is adrift. More than this, the Academy, to which Hanks has graced so many films, honouring the craft of acting, has shown that it is without sense and is not above trashing one of its greatest stars. Shame on the Academy.
This is a really good action adventure based on a true story. There are so few weak points in this drama that they do not merit mention. To say that the end of the film is one of Tom Hank's finest film moments would not be so much of a spoiler as a loud standing ovation. This is why we love this man.
A deeply disturbing film on some levels, stolen as it is from the yearly toll of hijacked shipping both in the Somali arena and in other areas of the world. Cargo carriers are forbidden to carry arms, which they could use to defend themselves. Hence, so many are taken over by gun wielding pirates of the seas. This film is not in defence of or is a critique of why Somali's take to the oceans to launch piratical attacks. It is a drama that forces human beings into collision courses, with long premeditated plans tossed overboard, with chaos coming down all around. This is the world we live in and it is not pretty.
I would watch any film with Tom Hanks in it. He is a joy to watch. The Somali actors were also very convincing. As I say, a very well done drama and worth award considerations.