“News Of The World” is a hybrid of classic western movies filtered through the lens of contemporary culture.

The film features a fine performance by Hollywood movie veteran Tom Hanks, a terrific breakout performance by Helena Zengel and is directed with a measured gait by the great Paul Greengrass.

Tom Hanks, in one of his most iconic theatrical movie roles, stars as Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a former Confederate soldier who earns money by reading newspaper articles to the mostly illiterate populace. Kidd is the original radio news reader or TV anchorman. No kidding.

Captain Kidd reluctantly is assigned by the Union Army to return Johanna (Helena Zengel), a girl kidnapped by Native Americans, to her relatives.

On the unlikely duo’s journey through the southwest in post-Civil War America, they must fend off marauders trying to sell Johanna for ransom, confront a self-styled leader of a renegade band slaughtering buffalo, cope with a crash and destruction of their buckboard wagon and horse, and encounter the remnants of the Kiowa tribe that kidnapped Johanna.

“News Of The World” is burnished with the patina of the dusty southwest, inspired by the beauty of the western mountains and lifted by a sense of moral fiber amidst the anarchic western frontier. While the western vistas are beautiful, those who populate the frontier are downright ugly, nasty and criminal.

Hanks (Oscar recipient, actor, “Forrest Gump,” 1994; “Philadelphia,” 1993; Oscar nominee, supporting actor, “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood,” 2019; Oscar nominee, actor, “Cast Away,” 2000; “Saving Private Ryan,” 1998; “Big,” 1988), in his first Western movie (not counting his voicing of Cowboy Woody in the “Toy Story” animated feature film series), is a great choice as the movie’s moral compass.

Hanks’ steadfast gaze, slow-talking philosophizing and solid body language recalls performances of reticent heroes of classic westerns: John Wayne, “The Searchers” (1956), the plot for which the storyline for “News Of The World” resembles; Jimmy Stewart, “The Man From Laramie” (1956); Gary Cooper, ”High Noon” (1952), and Henry Fonda, “The Ox-Bow Incident” (1942).

Hanks brings his enormous reservoir of good will, believability and gravitas to the role of the reluctant hero, not unlike his role in the Mr. Rogers’ biopic, “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood” (2019). For “News Of The World,” Hanks trades the red cardigan sweater and sneakers for a rough-hewn jacket and cowboy hat.

Greengrass, reteaming with Hanks (“Captain Phillips,” 2013), directs with his characteristic elegance and finesse, imbuing “News Of The World” with the bearing of great classic Hollywood westerns.

Greengrass (Oscar nominee, director, “United 93,” 2006; director, “Jason Bourne,” 2016; “The Bourne Ultimatum,”’ 2007; “The Bourne Supremacy,” 2004), works from a screenplay he cowrote with Luke Davies (Oscar nominee, adapted screenplay, “Lion,” 2017) based on the 2016 novel of the same title by Paulette Jiles.

“News Of The World” boasts a guileless performance by Helena Zengel (“System Crasher,” 2019; “Dark Blue Girl,” 2017). Zengel’s passivity and self-composure is riveting. She and Hanks are remarkably restrained in performances that could have bordered on the creepy.

“News Of The World” is supported by alternately breathtaking and intimate cinematography by Director of Photography Dariusz Wolsk (“The Martian,” 2015; “Prometheus,” 2012; “Pirates Of The Caribbean,” 2011, 2007, 2006, 2003; “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street,” 2007, and music videos).

The music by Composer James Newton Howard (eight-time Oscar nominee) hits all the right emotional tropes.

“News Of The World” is a must-see for fans of westerns, Tom Hanks and Paul Greengrass.

“News Of The World,”

MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.) for violence, disturbing images, thematic material and some language; Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama; Run time: 1 hr., 58 min.; Distributed by Universal Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

“News Of The World” was filmed on location in New Mexico.

At The Movies:

“News Of The World” was seen at AMC Center Valley 16, Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, Upper Saucon Township. Online ticket purchase, face masks, hand sanitizers and social distancing was in effect.

Movie Box Office,

Jan. 22-24: “The Marksman,” starring Liam Neeson, dubbed “the AARP action star,” in his latest retribution film, continued at No. 1 two weeks in a row with $2 million, on 2,018 screens; $6 million, two weeks.

2. “The Croods: A New Age” stayed in place, $1.8 million, 1,876 screens; $41.8 million, nine weeks. 3. “Wonder Woman 1984” stayed in place, $1.6 million, 2,013 screens, $37.7 million, five weeks. 4. “News Of The World” dropped one place, $180,000, 1,953 screens; $9.6 million, five weeks. 5. “Monster Hunter” dropped one place, $810,000, 1,661 screens; $10.1 million, six weeks.

6. “Fatale” dropped one place, $415,000, 1,175 screens; $5.2 million, six weeks. 7. “Promising Young Woman” dropped one place, $400,000, 1,333 screens; $3.9 million, five weeks. 8. “Our Friend,” $250,000, opening, 543 screens. 9. “The War With Grandpa,” starring Allentown’s Oakes Fegley, dropped two places, $163,944, 422 screens; $19.4 million, 16 weeks. 10. “Pinocchio” dropped one place, $122,660, 602 screens; $1.5 million, five weeks. 12. “Come Play,” starring Allentown’s Winslow Fegley, dropped two places, $114,000; 159 screens; $9.9 million, 12 weeks.

Unreel,

Jan. 29:

“The Little Things,”

R: John Lee Hancock directs Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto and Natalie Morales in the Crime Drama Thriller. Two police officers track a serial killer.

“Supernova,”

R: Harry Macqueen directs Colin Firth, Stanley Tucci and Pippa Haywood in the Romance Drama. Two male friends, one with dementia, travel England in their RV.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes