In the title role, Academy-Award winning actor Tom Hanks brings star power to the harrowing true story of an American ship invaded by Somali pirates.
But it is the group of actors unknown to American audiences who set the tone and create a captivating authenticity for the highly anticipated film.
The film is director Paul Greengrass’ interpretation of the incident that captured the world’s attention – when the MV Maersk Alabama taken hostage by Somali pirates in April 2009.
As usual, through Phillips Hanks channels a lovable character that audiences will root for.
The opening scenes are typical to the lovable protagonist Hanks has become synonymous with over the past twenty years are uneventful – even someone laboring as fans wait for the action to begin.
But when the native Somalis take to the screen things get extremely interesting – which has as much to do with their performance caliber as the action their characters bring to the storyline in the small group’s attempt to hijack the barge.
As lead pirate Muse, Barkhad Abdi goes pound for pound with Hanks in Captain Phillips. As Phillips’ antagonist, Abi exudes the same charm and charisma that made Hanks a household name a generation before.
The exchanges between Abdi and Hanks make for the most interesting dynamic of the film.
Hanks’ Phillips and Abdi’s Muse form a sincere connection as he attempts to ensure the safety of his own men and convince the Somali pirates to abandon the mission while they still have their lives.
The film gracefully sheds light on the desperation of the natives that are forced to resort to piracy to feed their families and the strength and courage of the crew of the ships as they strategized to save their own lives.
The film lags at certain points as attempts to create suspense. There are moments of serious disconnect as certain dramatic and action sequences seem to creep along, but overall Captain Phillips leaves audience with an authentic cinematic experience and a surprisingly humanizing portrait from both the hero and the pirates’ perspective .
Captain Phillips opens in theatres nationwide today (Oct. 11). The film is rated R with a running time of 134 minutes.
