Captain Phillips

Director Paul Greengrass is a master of tension (as in the oft-forgotten gem United 93), and doesn’t disappoint in this superbly crafted film based on real life events. Framed as a battle between two captains/countries, both the Somali pirates and American crew are thankfully given plenty of screen time to create meaningful connections with the characters. Barkhad Abdi’s Muse is terrifying and commanding, exuding a fiery, albeit naive determination, and Hanks is also fantastic as a selfless, daring everyman for the audience to root for. Unsettling, but in a good, breathtaking way, this powerful film could well be remembered as a classic in the years to come.

Duke’s At Komedia, 24 October 2013
Rating:
Joe Fuller