Review of The Finest Hours (2016) by Jeff S — 12 Feb 2016

The Finest Hours (PG-13).

There is nothing in nature as unforgiving as the sea. . . When she rears her ugly head up and reminds us mere mortals how small we really are, God help who gets caught in that path of no-win destruction. And for those unlucky souls who find themselves between a wave and a hard place, there is always one hope they can depend upon. The Coast Guard. Let's be clear, there are very few brave individuals on this Earth who willingly sign up to take that beast on. In this daring tale, we witness what is claimed to be the most heroic rescue attempt in Coast Guard history. In the winter of 1952, a large oil tanker carrying 41 men split in half during a nasty nor'easter storm off the coast of New England. Considered a "suicide mission", 4 men on a mere 36 foot rescue vessel dove head first into the nautical nightmare to provide aide. Led by a young and rather nervous captain by the name of Bernard C. Webbar (Chris Pine), this team epitomized the honor of the Coast Guard. To exemplify courage, nerves under pressure, and what it means to go above and beyond for their fellow man. This is a harrowing tale ripped from the history books and showcased as another example to the general masses what true heroism is all about.

Alas, a good majority of the general masses will continue on with their lives never knowing what happened on that fateful night back in 1962. Because the minority who DID give this wet one a go, which now includes me, have come back with a "meh" reaction that has not sparked others to follow suit. Sad really, because if Disney's production studio gave even a shred of the same effort as the brave men they were depicting, they might have salvaged some of the wreckage. As it stands, the studio remained consistent in tabbing the same director (Craig Gillespe) who had the hand in "sinking" another ripped from history books 2014 flick "Million Dollar Arm". The lead men Chris Pine and Casey Affleck, sporting their best "takin da boat out to da yahd" BoMass accents, do the better service of the film while portraying their roles. Unfortunately the pair of them aren't enough as they pose as mere water wings strapped to a script desperately trying to stay afloat in the thrashing waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Part action/adventure, part survival story, with a sub plot of romance, and all around forgotten by everyone come time spring. "The Finest Hours" had some finer moments depicting great men doing some great things, but it's vast oceanic dreams never really waded past the shallow end of the Disney kiddie pool.

GRADE: C+.