Immersive and compelling

Rating: 8/10 (5 February 2014)

Director Paul Greengrass has a way of pulling you completely into a film. You're not a passive observer, you're along for the ride. And what a ride it is.
Like Greenrgrass's 'United 93', 'Captain Phillips' doesn't try to wedge in a debate on the subject matter. The story here isn't the cause and affect, the story is the story.
At times I couldn't help but think the film could've been a little tighter, but ultimately this slow burn helps to put us in the shoes of the title character. Anchored by Tom Hanks, who has the rare—perhaps singular—ability to both infuse a film with his star power and yet totally lose him self in his role, we share his emotional arc, and by film's end, we feel like we've been on the journey right alongside him.