REVIEW: Tom Hanks’ Greyhound is Unlike Any Other WWII Movie

In 1941 the United States sent Navy ships and aircraft to join the Battle of the Atlantic. The military campaign saw the United States join the Allied Forces as they helped protect the Allies’ Convoys (Allied Merchant Ships) from Germany U-Boats as they crossed the Atlantic during World War II. In AppleTV+’s Greyhound, audience goers find Captain Ernest Krause (Tom Hanks), commander of the USS Keeling, aka Greyhound, protecting Convoys from a pack of German U-Boats as they attempt to stop the ships from making it to their destination in England.

Based on the 1955 novel The Good Shepherd by C. S. Forester, this is Krause’s first time as commander of the USS Keeling. Fans get to watch as a Krause deals with the stress and sacrifices that come with not only commanding a ship for the first time, but commanding a ship in one of the most dangerous places in the world. Hanks easily navigates his way through this character. Krause exudes charisma and confidence, two qualities Hanks has no problem bringing to life. Is it Hanks’ best role to date? No, but his performance as Krause will have many glued to their seats.

Greyhound is not your typical war movie. It is not flashy nor is it heavy on the bloody battles. The movie is actually very simple. It focuses on Greyhound’s trip across the Atlantic and Krause’s ability to lead his team and the ships through the U-Boat dilemma. There are no secondary storylines or multiple obstacles being thrown into the story. It is an hour and 31 minutes of strategy and a commander’s eagerness to see these Convoys make it safely to England.

The movie is exciting but also a little confusing. As someone who knows little about the Battle of the Atlantic, I had to pause the movie quite a few times to look things up. Those who do know a little about the battle will have no problem understanding. It is also premiering on AppleTV+, which will give those like me a chance to pause it and look things up as the movie progresses. Though, it is a shame it did not get released to the big screen because seeing the action unfold would have looked really good.

For those who have AppleTV+, make sure to check out the movie this weekend. It is not a family movie, but history buffs and Tom Hanks fans will have no finding something to like about it.

Grade: B+

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