Finally got myself along to the cinema recently and took my parents to see Captain Phillips. I already had a great sense of anticipation in seeing this, with plenty of media coverage surrounding this real life story, and names like Tom Hanks and Paul Greengrass involved, I was naturally excited.
Captain Phillips certainly delivers, it's a tense, exciting and well paced film. There's a great familiarity with Tom Hanks' character and, although not a direct copy, there are elements of Chuck from Cast Away and Jim Lovell in Apollo 13. Hanks commands here and it's probably one of the greatest roles he's ever done, he's thoroughly believable and engaging as a well worn Captain. However the crowning jewel of the film is Barkhad Abdi and the two other real life Somalians who play the Somali pirates. As complete new comers to acting on screen Abdi who plays Muse is devastatingly brilliant, with moments of utter confidence and belief in front of Tom Hanks to those moments of self doubt as their escape plan begins to unravel.
Greengrass is the one steering the story and commanding excellent attention in pacing and storytelling. In what could easily have become a rather dragged out second half, Greengrass explores the dynamics of the group of pirates, upping the ante as one member seeks to usurp the authority of their captain Muse (Abdi). The tension created in both the initial hijacking of the ship and the subsequent kidnapping of Captain Phillips is real edge of your seat stuff. The beginning of the film also introduces us to the pirates and gives us a window in to why they are doing this. By having us involved in the pirates story at the very beginning of the film and understanding their motivation, we are invested in the interests of both parties.
As usual Greengrass is using handheld cameras, which he knows how to do. So many producers have jumped on this idea in recent years and in many cases this unnecessary motion and intentional shaking does nothing more than annoy this cinema goer. However here it draws you in, it makes the experience feel more real, and doesn't ever make you feel like it's a unnecessary gimmick, rather it is a great cinematic tool.
The themes running throughout the plot will speak to everyone. One in particular rang true and it was the idea how much we do for our job and the fact that it's a means to an end. The arguments with the crew who aren't 'paid enough to deal with this', the business like approach to the hijacking, the way the authorities interact with everyone, and 'that scene' where we feel this cold unemotional treatment of someone going through emotional trauma. It's a job, 'it's just business' says Muse as he takes command of the ship.
What makes Captain Phillips amazing it's how universal it is, this isn't flag waving, god save America stuff, this is a truly even handed, very human perspective on a terrifying turn of events. The script coupled with the fantastic acting never once feels fake, there's something honest and deeply accessible here and you will come out this feeling like you've witnessed something memorable.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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