Captain Phillips
Based on the events of the 2009 Somali pirate attack against the MV Maersk cargo ship off the coast of Africa, this is amazing but true tale of the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years. Taken hostage on his own ship Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) and crew would need to every ounce of cunning and wit to stay one step ahead of their captors; whose fate has been sealed and when exactly will things be “all right?”
Directed by Paul Greengrass and based on the book A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea, Greengrass clearly brings his Bourne sensibilities to the party with immersive hand held and shakey camera usage, signature work that leads to claustrophobic but effective story telling, painting in fast chaotic strokes. Acting from Hanks is nothing shy of top notch but even more amazing and mesmerizing is the work of the new found actors playing the pirates, of note Barkhad Abdi’s portrayal of Muse, the lead pirate, is commanding, terrifying, and indelible. Even if you recall how history played out for all involved, a compelling unpeeling of the narrative onion reveals each thrilling detail pulling the audience along in a life raft of its own. Totally worth your 134 minutes, Captain Phillips is rated PG-13.