Movie Information
Release Date: October 11, 2013
Director: Paul Greengrass
Writer: Billy Ray, Richard Phillips, Stephan Talty
Cast: Tom Hanks, Catherine Keener, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed, Mahat M. Ali, Michael Chermus, David Warshofsky, Corey Johnson, Chris Mulkey, Yul Vazquez, Max Martini, Omar Berdouni, Mohamed Ali, Issak Farah Samatar, Thomas Grube, Mark Holden.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 134 minutes
By: Sony Pictures
Genre: Biography, Drama, Thriller
Language: English, Somali
Country: USA
Pirates! When you hear that word the first thing that comes to mind is Captain Hook, recent Disney movies, or horribly dressed individuals with layers of personal problems. The fact that their actually real could be a hard pill to swallow, and that’s exactly where the story lies.
To me one of the hardest things in film to accomplish is combining humor in a serious setting. I never thought I would be laughing as hard as I was when American citizens are being held hostage by Somali pirates. Though Director Paul Greengrass (Green Zone, The Bourne Ultimatum, and The Bourne Supremacy) did that and so much more. He took a real life event and crafted a film that will still have you at the edge of your seat, even if you already know the ending.
Now Tom Hanks is great in absolutely everything he does so ranting about his amazing performance is irrelevant. The Somali pirates in my opinion are the ones that stole the show. They formed a slightly unorganized crew, desperate to make ends meet for their superiors and it showed with their expressions and physical presence. Sometimes it was challenging to know who exactly was leading the pack or where their loyalty lied, and that’s what made it more exciting.
From the previews you see our hero trapped in a lifeboat with guns all around. The only question one could ask themselves is, “How in the world are you going to get out of this alive Captain Phillips because the clock is ticking?” You’ll just have to check it out yourself for that answer.
All in all it was a great film that I will recommend to all. When in a tight spot, Captain Phillips thought quickly, working with his crew to prevail on top. Weaving in and out of corridors, setting booby traps with only the tools around them. The only annoyance wasn’t with the film but with the so called true story. I say that because if you and your crew KNOW you’re headed into pirate infested waters, with precious cargo WHY WOULD YOU NOT HAVE PROTECTION ON BOARD?!?! Though this review is not about Cargo ship protocols but the movie itself, and it was a damn good one.