Tom Hanks Is Back

Rating: Null/10 (12 October 2013)

Paul Greengrass has released his latest work, Captain Phillips. It is based on the real-life events of Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks). While sailing the American owned MV Maersk Alabama through international waters off the coast of Somalia, his ship is hijacked and he is taken hostage by unpredictable, chaotic Somali pirates with automatic weapons.
The story is well-written and expertly crafted by writer Billy Ray. The cinematography is superbly handled by Barry Ackroyd with editing by Christopher Rouse. The loud, effective, pause filled music is by Henry Jackson.
Captain Phillips is a devoted husband and father. He accepts assignments far from home to provide for his family. This same sense of protection and obligation is evident in the way he leads his crew. He is firm, but always fair.
This movie is action-packed and well-paced. The script, cinematography, music, and acting seem real, expect for the two obligatory PC moments with the pirates. The final twenty minutes are filled with some of the most raw, real, and heart-breaking acting I have seen in years. Tom Hanks, love him or loathe him, has an Oscar nomination in his future with Captain Phillips.