The Finest Hours Blu-ray Review
THE SET-UP
The true story of the rescue of the
Pendleton tanker crew off of the coast of Massachusetts in 1952 is
chronicled. Stars Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, and Eric
Bana.
Pendleton tanker crew off of the coast of Massachusetts in 1952 is
chronicled. Stars Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, and Eric
Bana.
Directed by Craig Gillespie.
THE DELIVERY
The Finest Hours is a throwback to
classic Hollywood adventure dramas, buoyed by fine performances by
Chris Pine and Casey Affleck. The film tells the real-life story of
the sinking of the tanker ship Pendleton in 1952 and the efforts to
save the crew. Pine plays Bernie Webber, a member of the U.S. Coast
Guard who took a small boat and a crew of three and pulled off one of
the greatest rescues in Coast Guard history. That’s not exactly
spoiling anything; it’s pretty obvious there’s a happy ending
coming. But like the story of Apollo 13, the real appeal of the story
is the journey, not just the ending.
classic Hollywood adventure dramas, buoyed by fine performances by
Chris Pine and Casey Affleck. The film tells the real-life story of
the sinking of the tanker ship Pendleton in 1952 and the efforts to
save the crew. Pine plays Bernie Webber, a member of the U.S. Coast
Guard who took a small boat and a crew of three and pulled off one of
the greatest rescues in Coast Guard history. That’s not exactly
spoiling anything; it’s pretty obvious there’s a happy ending
coming. But like the story of Apollo 13, the real appeal of the story
is the journey, not just the ending.
Chris Pine delivers a heartfelt
performance as Coast Guardsman Bernie Webber, and his work is a
departure from the usual cocky roles he takes on in films like Star
Trek. It’s wonderfully understated, and his approach to his
character gives the audience a real underdog hero to root for.
performance as Coast Guardsman Bernie Webber, and his work is a
departure from the usual cocky roles he takes on in films like Star
Trek. It’s wonderfully understated, and his approach to his
character gives the audience a real underdog hero to root for.
Affleck looks and acts like he just
fell out of a 1950s World War II epic (and that’s a good thing), and his turn as Ray Sybert,
the engineer of the doomed tanker, brings depth and emotion to what
could have been a cardboard supporting character.
fell out of a 1950s World War II epic (and that’s a good thing), and his turn as Ray Sybert,
the engineer of the doomed tanker, brings depth and emotion to what
could have been a cardboard supporting character.
Director Craig Gillespie fashions the
film to look and feel like a piece of 1950s cinema, and it works for
the most part, but there are shortcomings. The movie can be formulaic
at times, but even the paint-by-the-numbers approach doesn’t lessen
the entertainment level. Gillespie could have built more tension,
quickened the pace, and created a greater sense of the dangerous
scope, all of which would have done the story more justice. For a
film that tried to capture classic Hollywood melodrama, it is
woefully short of meaningful drama that leaves a lasting impression
with the viewer. It’s riveting, to be sure, but the thrills leave
no real lasting effect.
film to look and feel like a piece of 1950s cinema, and it works for
the most part, but there are shortcomings. The movie can be formulaic
at times, but even the paint-by-the-numbers approach doesn’t lessen
the entertainment level. Gillespie could have built more tension,
quickened the pace, and created a greater sense of the dangerous
scope, all of which would have done the story more justice. For a
film that tried to capture classic Hollywood melodrama, it is
woefully short of meaningful drama that leaves a lasting impression
with the viewer. It’s riveting, to be sure, but the thrills leave
no real lasting effect.
The Finest Hours is certainly
entertaining from start to finish, and the cast, from Pine to Bana,
all turn in fine performances. Given the subject matter, however, it needed
more gravitas to match the history. It’s a good movie, just not the
finest.
entertaining from start to finish, and the cast, from Pine to Bana,
all turn in fine performances. Given the subject matter, however, it needed
more gravitas to match the history. It’s a good movie, just not the
finest.
VIDEO AND AUDIO
The Finest Hours Blu-ray sports an
excellent transfer that presents the image with exceptional clarity
and sharpness. Much of the film takes place on a dark and stormy
night, so an image that renders every small detail and the variances
of grays and blacks is essential. The high definition image is
certainly up to the challenge; this disc looks great on a home
screen. The sounds is a fantastic 7.1 DTS-HDMA mix, which is at its
best when it envelops the listener in multi-channel goodness during
the storm scenes.
excellent transfer that presents the image with exceptional clarity
and sharpness. Much of the film takes place on a dark and stormy
night, so an image that renders every small detail and the variances
of grays and blacks is essential. The high definition image is
certainly up to the challenge; this disc looks great on a home
screen. The sounds is a fantastic 7.1 DTS-HDMA mix, which is at its
best when it envelops the listener in multi-channel goodness during
the storm scenes.
SPECIAL FEATURES
The Blu-ray features a number of
featurettes and promo spots, and one nicely done “behind-the-scenes”
featurette, which delves into the real-life history. Special features
include:
featurettes and promo spots, and one nicely done “behind-the-scenes”
featurette, which delves into the real-life history. Special features
include:
“Against All Odds: The Bernie Webber
Story” featurette. The real-life story that inspired The Finest
Hours is recounted. The original authors of the book, director Craig
Gillespie, and residents of the town of Chatham, Massachusetts all
discuss the events shown in the film. The featurette provides
excellent background to the real-life story. Running time: 14:10
Story” featurette. The real-life story that inspired The Finest
Hours is recounted. The original authors of the book, director Craig
Gillespie, and residents of the town of Chatham, Massachusetts all
discuss the events shown in the film. The featurette provides
excellent background to the real-life story. Running time: 14:10
Deleted Scenes. Two deleted scenes are
included: “A Desperate Idea” and “The Story of How They Met.”
included: “A Desperate Idea” and “The Story of How They Met.”
“Brotherhood” featurette. Chris
Pine and the other actors discuss the camaraderie that developed
between the men on the set. Running time: 1:49.
Pine and the other actors discuss the camaraderie that developed
between the men on the set. Running time: 1:49.
“Two Crews” featurette. This short
featurette is a primer for the film’s story. Running time: 2:02
featurette is a primer for the film’s story. Running time: 2:02
“What Is Your Finest Hour?” promo
spot. This promotional piece for the film includes a real-life recent
tale of rescue from a member of the U.S. Coast Guard. Running time:
1:02
spot. This promotional piece for the film includes a real-life recent
tale of rescue from a member of the U.S. Coast Guard. Running time:
1:02
“The Finest Inspiration: The U.S.
Coast Guard” promo spot. The modern U.S. Coast Guard is featured,
and includes interviews with men and women who currently serve.
Running time: 1:42.
Coast Guard” promo spot. The modern U.S. Coast Guard is featured,
and includes interviews with men and women who currently serve.
Running time: 1:42.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The Finest Hours is a
thrilling, old fashioned adventure
thrilling, old fashioned adventure
The Finest Hours is a good film, with
outstanding performances. It isn’t a great film, as it falls short
of being truly memorable, but it is certainly worth a watch.
outstanding performances. It isn’t a great film, as it falls short
of being truly memorable, but it is certainly worth a watch.
BLU-RAY SPECS
Release Date: May 24, 2016
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 117 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Audio: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, English
2.0 Descriptive Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby
Digital
2.0 Descriptive Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby
Digital
Subtitles: English for the Hearing
Impaired, French, Spanish
Impaired, French, Spanish
Special Features: “Against All Odds:
The Bernie Webber Story” featurette; Two deleted scenes;
“Brotherhood” featurette; “Two Crews” featurette; “What Is
Your Finest Moment?” promo spot; “The Finest Inspiration: The
U.S. Coast Guard” promo spot.
The Bernie Webber Story” featurette; Two deleted scenes;
“Brotherhood” featurette; “Two Crews” featurette; “What Is
Your Finest Moment?” promo spot; “The Finest Inspiration: The
U.S. Coast Guard” promo spot.
Label: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Click here to order The Finest Hours on Blu-ray from Amazon!
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