Captain Phillips

Plot: Captain Phillip's (Tom Hanks') container ship is bringing fright to western Africa. It gets boarded by Somali pirates, and the crew tries a few things to fight them off.  Somali pirate captain Muse (Barkhad Abdi) is determined, and manages to board the ship, and find the crew. Phillips and the crew negotiate the swap of the ship for the Captain, and soon Captain Phillips and the pirates are motoring slowly to Somali.  In time, the Navy shows up leading to the climatic conclusion.  [imdb]    [photos]

Review: A slow paced, naval hostage drama that may double as a Navy recruitment film.  It has fine acting and pretty pictures, but it isn't that much fun.

Highlights were the realistic naval scenes which give a flavor of living on a freighter, and the cool, competence of all US Navy Sailors. In a scene where the Navy Seals are getting dressed, they look like superheroes they are so muscled up.

Lowlights were the long and repetitive scenes of Phillips and the Somali guys on the lifeboat. I didn't need endless scenes Somali guys arguing with each other. Another lowlight was filler material after the climatic battle -- why do we need to see Phillip's medical check up? Just end the movie!

Hank's acting was great -- you knew it would be. Amateur actor Abdi does a fine job as the terrorst -- he seemed convincing through-out.

Cast: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi

Directed by: Paul Greengrass

Rating: 2.5 stars

  

More: Here is the real Captain Phillips.  

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