Thursday, October 3, 2013

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS REVIEW

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS REVIEW

“Captain Phillips” is the latest film from acclaimed Director, Paul Greengrass.  The film tells the true story of Captain Richard Phillips (played exceptionally well by Tom Hanks).  Captain Phillips is the captain of a container ship sailing around the horn of Africa delivering food and water.  He has clearly been doing this for a while and he runs a tight ship.  He knows exactly what he is doing.  This all changes when his ship is boarded by armed Somali pirates, led by Mose (played by Barkhad Abdi, who gives a riveting supporting performance).  Once this band of pirates board the ship, Captain Phillips plays a cat and mouse game trying to get the upper hand and stay alive.  This film is marvelous on many levels.   Paul Greengrass shows the Somali point of view, which I found to be a bold and riveting move that pays off big time for the film.  The film does have its issues.  It is 134 minutes and at times you feel it; although the film does pick up with a vengeance.  Also, there are a few scenes that just missed the mark and felt very unnatural.  However, all in all, “Captain Phillips” is a very strong film with great performances and great direction.  Paul Greengrass is the only director who makes shakey-cam work and brings the tension full force with this film.  “Captain Phillips” is definitely a film worth seeing.
4/5 Stars
“Captain Phillips" is released on October 11th.

   -   George McCann  

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