REVIEW: Captain Phillips

by dreynolds91

Tom Hanks needs no introduction and will without a doubt go down as one of the greatest actors of all time. With two Academy Awards to his name already, a third could well be on its way after his incredible performance as ‘Captain Phillips’.

Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) is the captain of a Maersk cargo ship which is carrying relief for Somalia, Uganda and Kenya. Phillips and his crew must sail through the Gulf of Aden to Mombasa with the threat of pirates in Somalia waters at large. Led by pirate Abduwali Muse (Barkhad Abdi), a group of Somali pirates succeed in their attempts to board and hijack the ship. Based on true events, ‘Captain Phillips’ is the phenomenal story of Captain Richard Phillips and his crew’s experience from April 2009.

‘Captain Phillips’ is undoubtably one of the most gripping films you will see this year. The pacing is absolutely perfect and, unless you read about it in 2009, are constantly kept on the edge guessing what’s going to happen next. The film doesn’t feel anywhere near its actual duration of 2hours 10minutes and this is mostly down to the intensity and flawless performances from start to finish.

Director Paul Greengrass doesn’t try to represent Phillips as someone he’s not, he is simply a Captain who has been thrown into an unthinkable situation which only helps to engage you more. Whilst Hanks is likely to have praise heaped on him, and deservedly so, film debutant Barkhad Abdi deserves a huge amount of credit as well. His performance is flawless – he is brutal and cunning and never fails to convince you. Abdi should, and probably will, be in the running for a nomination. This is what makes ‘Captain Phillips’ so good, how convincing the performances are, you constantly imagine yourself in the same situation, as both Phillips and Muse, and consider the options you’d have and actions you would make.

Upon leaving the cinema, the film may be over but it will stick with you. In particular, one scene with Hanks is one of the most emotionally charged and breathtaking pieces of acting you will ever see and reminds us all of just how capable he is. This is easily one of Hanks’s finest and most memorable roles.

Cinema in 2013 has been disappointing with few films that have lived long in the memory. ‘Captain Phillips’ will remind you of what an exhilarating experience the cinema can be and will have you falling in love with it all over again. Greengrass has proven that you don’t need dozens of explosions and special effects to produce something not far off a masterpiece.

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