“CAPTAIN PHILLIPS” Movie Review. A Real life-and-death Tussle on the High Seas.

“CAPTAIN PHILLIPS” PRESS REVIEW

Sometimes we can reward ourselves with a well-earned couple of hours escapism at the cinema, after a hard day’s grind.

So I was pleasantly surprised that “CAPTAIN PHILLIPS” the movie unexpectedly kept me harnessed  on edge from start to finish.

It’s first class entertainment all the way, but I repeatedly question myself : “Are the events here for real?”

We’ve been told that it’s a true story, but the real facts one can never tell for sure.

This hijack thriller depicts a Somali pirate attack on an American container ship that carries everything but proper weapons to ward off dangers on the high seas.

Strange security measure.

 TOM HANKS plays this merchant marine captain Richard Phillips. His is an award winning performance without doubt.

When the film opens, he is all set to pilot an American 17,000 ton container vessel on a hazardous 10-day journey around the Horn of Africa and into the new bandit country. Little does he know what he’s in for.

On uncharted waters, the vessel is peremptorily hijacked by four AK-47-wielding pirates who have sailed out from the Somali coast on a tiny speedboat skiff.

Alas, there’s no way for an unarmed merchant ship to outrun the speedboat. Besides, the ship’s water cannons are unable to prevent the four unscrupulous pirates from boarding the freighter.

The crew fight back, keeping control of the ship after overpowering one of the attackers, prompting the pirates to quit the vessel and hold Phillips hostage on a lifeboat.

After a dramatic three-day standoff, Navy Seals marksmen kill the pirates and rescues Phillips.

We cheer the poignant ending as our protagonist returns home to a hero’s welcome.

 Watch the acting between the Alabama’s commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips (two time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks), and the Somali pirate captain, Muse (Barkhad Abdi), who takes him hostage.

TOM HANKS may be the ultimate hero, but it is really BARKHAD ABDI who steals the thunder.

“CAPTAIN PHILLIPS” directed by PAUL GREENGRASS is a historical reenactment of

the life-and-death drama on the high seas.

The film is slick, fast paced yet brutally shocking.

This gritty feature with a tense build-up will jolt your senses like nothing you have ever experienced before.

It is an action packed journey layered with heart pounding excitement and a great human story.

A cinematic landmark?

Everything is possible.

Don’t miss it!