The war movieGreyhoundis not only one ofTom Hanks' most underrated movies, but also one of the greatest “dad movies” in recent memory. The movie is set duringWorld War II and stars Hanks as a US Navycommander leading a convoy of ships across the Atlantic while battling the treacherous U-boats.
The movie, which was also co-written by Hanks, was released exclusively on Apple TV+ in 2020, scoring 79% onRotten Tomatoes. Though the movie isn’t typically discussed amongTom Hanks' best moviesits continued success on streaming has led to theannouncement of aGreyhoundsequelin the works. However, the movie deserves more credit as a standout in an overlooked subgenre.
Greyhound Is An Underrated And Relentless World War II Thriller
With its World War II setting, straight-forward story, and Tom Hanks in the lead role,Greyhoundseems like a typical dad movie. However,it elevates the subgenre with its intense pace that makes it feel likeMad Max: Fury Roadremade in dad movie fashion. The result is a surprising, nail-biting ride from beginning to end.
George Miller’s fourthMad Maxmoviebrought the franchise back in epic fashion, in a movie that amounted to basically one long chase sequence where the propulsive pace never lets up. This is the same approach taken inGreyhoundas the movie depicts the relentless danger these ships faced in their crossing.
As soon as they make it into enemy waters, the movie is non-stop. Hanks' Commander Ernie Krause jumps from one emergency to another, trying to keep the convoy intact, spotting the enemies, and taking out any threats. However, whileFury Roadis action mayhem the entire time,Greyhoundmaintains a tone consistent with dad movies.
Krause maintains a stoic and resolved demeanor despite the constant barrage of life-and-death scenarios. In a subtle details highlighting the relentless troubles, each time Krause is about to have a meal, he is interrupted by the next problem. While not as wild asMad Max: Fury Road, Greyhounddelivers that same charging energy.
The “dad movie” subgenreis a difficult one for people to define. As the name suggests, it typically involves movies that are aimed at middle-aged men and their interests.The stories are not usually complicated and the themes remain accessible, with honor, family, leadership, and loyalty often coming up in these types of movies.
There are plenty of action movies and thrillers that fit into the dad movie category, but it is also a popular subgenre for Westerns and war movies.Greyhoundstrikes all these criteria while also excelling at all of them, pushing it above just another dad movie and into the top tier of the subgenre.
The war aspect is exciting, as Tom Hanks clearly has a deep interest in the subject and relishes getting a chance to write one of these stories.The audience is emersed in the high-stakes operation with everyone onboard having their own job to do when the chaos begins. It is a grounded and realisitic depiction of being at war.
Commander Krause is also a terrific dad movie hero. The movie doesn’t go into too much detail about his private life, beyond the fact that he has a wife waiting for him back home.What matters about the character is how he conducts himself as a leader in such a perilous mission.
Hanks doesn’t get big heroic moments to play, but rather makes Krause a grounded hero in his unflinching position as head of the operation and his compassion for the men serving under him. These elements combine for a pitch-perfect dad movie that any fans of the subgenre, dads or otherwise, should seek out.
It is not entirely surprising that Tom Hanks would deliver such a good dad movie as he has been one of the defining actors of the genre.Hanks' career started in the 1980swhen he was mostly known for comedies and excelled at play a lovable goofball. However, once he became an Oscar-winning actor his career shifted in many ways.
The 1990s saw the rise of Hanks as a star of dad movies, and the first movie that could be seen as falling into that category isApollo 13.The excellent real-life thriller is another edge-of-the-seat experience, detailing the nearly disastrous mission to the moon with Hanks playing astronaut Jim Lovell.
Hanks soon followed that with his first war movie,Saving Private Ryan. Along with being considered one of thebest war movies of all time, it is also a definitive dad movie, with its themes of duty and bravery as well as its authentic World War II battle sequences that are still impressive decades later.
Even when Hanks takes on a role outside his typical characters, such as playing the mob hitman inRoad to Perdition, Hanks can deliver a great dad movie.The period thriller touches on themes of family and honor within this tense and gripping revenge story, all of which are elements dad movie fans love.
Greyhoundranks alongside these Tom Hanks movies as another top-tier dad movie. It remains to be seen if Hanks can repeat the success with the upcoming sequel, but the actor has already solidified his place as one of the subgenre’s icons.
