CAPTAIN PHILIPS

CAPTAIN PHILIPS Review

By Darin Skaggs

     Captain Philips is a film about a true life tale where a cargo ship heading trough treacherous waters is invaded by four pirates.  Eventually the crew gets the upper hand and sends the pirates on the escape boat, but not without trapping the captain of the ship with them.  Then the rest of the film is the struggle to get Captain Philips out safely.

     The first half of this film is all about the set up to getting on the lifeboat, which is completely enclosed.  It begins so well with Philips, with a great performance from Tom Hanks, complaining about his kid not having enough discipline in school.  In the scene he is driving to the ship to set sail.  It is just a normal day for him, not expecting anything different is going to happen.  It also shows Muse, the main pirate, going through his day which is being hired to go steal off freighters near the area.  Just a normal work day for both these men.  After getting to know these men the action begins. 

     The pirates attempting to get on the boat, which goes on for a while, are tense scenes.  They are ones that make you almost want yell at the screen to warn the heroes.  When they get on the ship is even tenser.  The acting in the film sells the fact that they crew is terrified, and so are you.  The pirates are determined and mentally unstable, so you are even more terrified.  There lots of little touches like Captain Philips being a terrible liar while trying to keep his hidden crew members safe.  He also is not the smartest protagonist, but it is believable because he is not in the best circumstances so his common sense would be inadequate.

The movie is mostly tense, edge of your seat film, but the film is about twenty minutes too long. There are parts that drag until the next intense scene.  Also there are a few moments that feel like the film wants you to feel something, so it over does some of its lines or actions.  There is a teenager involved with the pirates that Philips keeps saying is so young, so when his fate is revealed you feel the impact because it has been pushed down your throat that he is just a child.  Also the film mirrors Muses and Philips as captains of their vessel once too many.  Some of the moments are a bit too “I want my Oscar” and also too cheesy, but the end is what makes the film worth all these minor complaints.

     The film is really gripping and I was enjoying while it was playing out.  The conclusion of the movie is what makes the film great, maybe even amazing.  While watching the film it just seems like your average, save the hero from peril and everything will be fine.  The end of the film says that no matter if the rescue goes as planned there is no true “happy ending” for a man who has been kidnapped and has gone through hell.  

     The film is great, possibly amazing.  It somehow is an Oscar bait film and a gripping tale of trauma.  It has great performances and is one of the tensest films of the year.