"Everything is gonna be okay"

Rating: 8/10 (23 January 2014)

As much as we as the audience know beforehand – spoilers alert – that Captain Rich Phillips survived the ordeal at sea back in April 2009, the movie chronically bringing the incredibly dangerous situation to life and holding your heart until the last second of the miraculous rescue. Captain Phillips is superb at portraying not only the desperately hijacked and kidnapped Americans, but also at bringing depth into the lives and desperation of the Somali pirates. You are disgusted at the senseless crime, yet couldn't help but feel for the pirates, essentially teenagers who were under the control of crime lords, lived in poverty, and never given a chance. It is heartbreaking to hear Muse repeatedly mumble "everything is gonna be okay" as if he himself is trying to desperately grasp any last hope while watching a train wrack in slow motion.
Great acting from Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi. Good directing and script overall. My only complaint is the movie went overboard with the "US military saves the day" propaganda. But hey I guess we taxpayers paid for the ships and helicopters and weapons for a reason. The one thing you will learn from this movie is DON'T MESS WITH THE Americans. If you enjoy a good Hollywood thriller with positive reinforcements, this film is for you. 8/10