Review: Captain Phillips

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Everything's going to be alright.
Rich Phillips (Tom Hanks) is the captain of a cargo ship sailing not too far off the cost of Somalia. It becomes hijacked by Somali pirates, led by Muse. (Barkhard Abdi) For awhile, the crew out smarts them, but just as they're letting them leave in a life boat, Muse takes Captain Phillips as a hostage, leading to a stand off for days between the pirates and the U.S Navy as they try to head back to the Somali coast.

I don't remember much from this story, so I was legitimately worried for Phillips until the credits started rolling. Director Paul Greengrass knows how to build tension, and the 2nd half of this movie is so intense that I was constantly squirming in my seat.

Tom Hanks, wow. That's all I can say. His performance, particularly the in the film's final moments is outstanding. Abdi, Barkhard Abdiraham, Faysal Ahmed, and Mahat M. Ali were all very convincing as the pirates. Though I think the film's attempt at humanizing what they did at the beginning felt a little forced. Still, I'm glad they included that scene. The first half of the film dragged a little, and the dialogue from the other crew members of the ship was borderline laughable at times, but the 2nd and 3rd act save it. I had zero expectations going in, but after so many recommendations on Twitter, I'm glad I went to see this.

On the side: There's a scene in the lifeboat where they hear a load honking noise, and they open the door to see the U.S Navy ship, right after the honking some guy behind me went "Who's there? America, mother fuckers!" I laughed. That was the only time in the entire film that I did.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B

Memorable Quote: "You're not just a fisherman." - Captain Phillips (Tom Hanks)


Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 22, 2013 at 12:26 PM

    I loved this, and Hanks was outstanding! Great write up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 23, 2013 at 7:12 AM

      Thanks! And yes he was, he killed me in those final minutes.

      Delete
  2. s.October 22, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    Really can't wait to see this one, the reviews are insanely positive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 23, 2013 at 7:13 AM

      I can't believe I wasn't going to watch this at first. That's the 2nd time I've said that this year - the first was with Gravity.

      Delete
  3. m.brownOctober 22, 2013 at 8:49 PM

    Man, I wish that guy was in my theater, patriotic jerk that he is.
    I really could have used a laugh. And a hug.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 23, 2013 at 7:14 AM

      I could've definitely used a hug too. I wish I would've remembered to look back and see what this dude looked like.

      Delete
  4. Dan O.October 23, 2013 at 10:01 AM

    Wonderful movie, mostly because Hanks takes this movie under his wing the whole time. More so in those last five minutes. Like holy crap, that was emotional! Good review Brittani.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 24, 2013 at 6:41 AM

      Thank you! That's a good way to describe it. Hanks was golden.

      Delete
  5. 3guys1movie.comOctober 24, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    So Tom Hanks Oscar?

    ReplyDelete
  6. JoshOctober 24, 2013 at 2:01 PM

    I'm surprised at how much I loved this one. Hanks was phenomenal, and the tension was almost too much. Nice review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 25, 2013 at 7:57 AM

      The tension when he was meeting with the doctor was nearly unbearable for me. I kept thinking he was going to have a heart attack and die.

      Delete

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