Intense biopic that will leave you paralyzed

Rating: 8/10 (3 November 2013)

Gravity isn't the only heart-pounding drama concerning a very bad week in the workplace.
Captain Phillips is a spellbinding and intense drama that focuses on an everyday man having to use every last ounce of his wits to survive a dreary situation that was always one bad move away from death. Based on the unbelievable true story of the first modern-day seizure of an American ship, this film chronicles the events concerning the hijacking starting from the first attempted attack right down to the final moment of the conflict. It was heroism and the "No Man Left Behind" concept at its best, as many men and women were involved to try to arrive at a happy resolution to an ugly situation in foreign waters.
Combining the legendary acting of Tom Hanks, superb acting from rookie Barkhad Abdi, and excellent direction from the hand-held camera expert Paul Greengrass, even if you know the story the film will trigger the senses of tension, fear, doubt, and uncertainty throughout the 130 minutes. That being said, the less you know about the true story, the more you will sweat.
What the script adds however is a human element not seen in many military conflict-based films. You get a closer glimpse behind the thoughts and motivations of the pirates; they aren't just heartless monsters thirsty for blood. There are a few more layers behind their mannerisms and just why they are placing their entire lives on the line to commit a crime. Billy Ray does a great job giving personalities to characters that could have just as easily been caricatures.
Lastly, we have Paul Greengrass' directing skillset coming in full circle. Combining the emotional pull of his United 93 with the technical pizazz of his Bourne series work that puts the viewers front and center to the conflict at hand, Greengrass is at his best here as he mixes intense close-ups with tight shots that raise the tension bar to the maximum. Finally, there is a beautiful marriage of great directing and great acting as the conflict reaches its surprisingly rough climax and we see Tom Hanks prove why he is a multiple-Oscar winner and always seems to deliver in every movie he is in.
Although the movie does drag a bit in the second act and spends too much time building into the third (withholding some of the details could have elevated the unnerving mood even more), Captain Phillips is superb directing and acting mixed together to tell a wonderful story about overcoming dangerous odds when looking death right in the eyes.
The movie doesn't break any new ground; it's just a stand-up nitty gritty thriller that stands as one of the best films of the year.