MOVIE REVIEW: Captain Phillips

GENRE: Action, biography

RUNNING TIME: 134 minutes

STARRING: Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump), Barkhad Abdi (debut role)

DIRECTED BY: Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum)

RATING:

Currently screening at Ster-Kinekor Northgate.

PLOT: This is the gripping true-life story of Captain Richard Phillips and the hijacking of the first US vessel in more than two hundred years. While transporting cargo along the African coast, an American cargo ship, the Maersk Alabama, is attacked by Somali pirates. Captain Phillips is confronted with challenges of bravery and heroism as he faces death, while doing anything he can to save his crew and ship.

THE GOOD: First-time actor Barkhad Abdi portrays the Somali pirate captain as one would expect him to be – fearsome, aggressive and willing to do whatever it takes to get his prize. This film is full of action and drama. It draws you in, as if you are there with the crew, trying to figure out what to do.

THE BAD: Tom Hanks brings life to the movie, invoking a flurry of emotions that will not leave you unaffected. If you are a sensitive person you might battle through this film.

VERDICT: For me Captain Phillips is one of the best films of the year. This was another sterling and believable performance by Tom Hanks. It is an epic film that should undoubtedly get nominated for an Oscar award for the portrayal of these true-life events. You will be on an emotional rollercoaster ride from beginning till the end. Magnificently captivating, emotionally true!

*Thanks to Ster-Kinekor Northgate for making the review possible.