Tom Hanks for Best Actor?

Rating: 8/10 (8 October 2013)

Captain Phillips is based on true events that happened back in 2009. A cargo ship on it's way to Mombasa, Kenya was hijacked by four Somali pirates. Captain Phillips and a few other men are held hostage and terrorized in the control room while the remaining crew members lock themselves into the engine room. One of the pirates decides to search the ship and the crew is able to capture him. They make a deal with the remaining pirates to release Philips and the other crew members. In exchange they will let the captured pirate go, give them the money they have in the safe, and let them escape in a life raft. Things go awry however and the pirates end up taking Captain Phillips hostage and escaping in the life raft.
Even if you are already familiar with this story and what happens Captain Phillips makes for some intense cinema. Greengrass does a nice job of balancing the chaos on board the life raft with the cold efficiency of the navy seal team. It makes for a compelling edge of your seat thriller. Once things start the action movies quickly and there are very few wasted scenes.
Hanks has received some much deserved awards for his acting chops in the past but the 3rd act of this movie might very well be the finest performance he has ever put on film. Don't be surprised if Oscar comes knocking again.
To read our full review head on over to 3guys1movie.com