Captain Phillips

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Warren

Thank god I remembered this was a Paul Greengrass film and chose to sit further back from the screen than I normally like to. His usual shaky cam is on full display here and that coupled with the rocking high seas makes for a very sickness inducing movie, so you have been warned.

After what might be the most offensively scripted opening sequence I've ever seen (not even Tom Hanks and a cameo from Catherine Keener can make that work) we quickly get to the Somali pirates and out to sea. From there the film is a slow build of tense events all leading to the inevitable conclusion. And with a far more engaging script.

Much like the similarly themed A Hijacking that came out not long ago, it's a long ride and the film really wants you to feel it (although everyone gets off way easier in this film). I'd like to think that cutting down the running time would make a more effective film but that agonising waiting is a big part of it. I was certainly more engaged in the first half though and loved the staging of the hijacking. Once the navy becomes involved everything for both the characters and the story is downhill.

Tom Hanks gets his big showy performance right at the end which will probably make you forget the very grounded work he does throughout the film. And the newcomers that form our Somali pirates do some good stuff too.

It's a pretty thrilling ride (albeit a long and bumpy one) and could possibly get some awards attention this year.