I, like so many others, recognise Hanks as a formidable acting talent. I kept a bit of a blackout of the issues surrounding the real events to maintain the level of excitement for me, and it worked a charm.Īs I mentioned, one of the true selling points of this film is Tom Hanks. For a film that lasts over two hours there’s no letting up in the pace once the Alabama is charting its course through the ocean. Indeed, the tension truly is unrelenting. I think this is based on two big points: Tom Hanks’ lead acting (and a superb supporting cast, especially from Barkhad Abdi and Faysal Ahmed), and Paul Greengrass‘ knack for capturing the intensity and edge-of-your-seat tension from the director’s chair. Everything from the pacing, to the plot, to the acting was on top form. Let me be straight to the point: I loved Captain Phillips. This film recounts that and the ensuing events that unfold. It’ll therefore come as no co-incidence to learn that this film revolves around such an incident occurring when a group of four Somalians, led by Muse ( Barkhad Abdi) board the ship and take Captain Phillips (aka Irish to the Somalians) and his crew captive. The titular Captain ( Tom Hanks) was charged with leading this vessel through one of the most notorious stretches of sea in the world, owing to the high incidence rate of pirate hijacking. This freight ship was on a run from Oman to Kenya, delivering a cargo consisting mainly of food and water aid. Captain Phillipsis based on the true events surrounding the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama back in 2009 off the coast of Somalia. Maybe in America.”īut let’s rewind a bit. When the pirate Captain Muse is quizzed why he doesn’t just do something honest with his life and choose a more honest vocation, he is met with “Maybe you have a choice in America, Irish. One line from Captain Phillipssums this up perfectly for me. These pirates are impoverished and need to get by in some way or another. The ending is glibly funny, but the clever commentary by Trey Parker and Matt Stone is spot on. There he somehow manages to lead the Somalians into a successful pirating gambit. Whether you’re a fan or not, I urge you to look up the episode called Fatbeard, where Cartman wants to become a (Captain Jack-esque) pirate, so travels to Somalia – the “home of the pirates”. I think the best send up of the popular depiction of pirates with the gritty real world situation comes courtesy of South Park. The ones that manage to hijack huge trawlers using nothing more than a speedboat and some AK-47’s… Introducing Captain Phillips… No, this is about real modern day pirates. Yes, that particular teet of revenue has been milked so much that the cow is now in a great degree of pain… but that won’t stop the merciless milkmaid (or milkmouse… as it’s Disney) from draining it further still! But the current film isn’t about those types of pirates. They’re a popular topic for Hollywood nowadays mainly thanks to Disney’s imagining of a rum-drinking Captain that speaks a bit like a Dickensian waif.
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