A brief plot outline of Captain Phillips may make this sound like a Steven Seagal film: a ship is under attack by Somali Pirates and it is up to the resourceful but unarmed Captain to save his crew. Fortunately, this isn’t Under Siege 3 but it is the new white knuckle action offering from Paul Greengrass.
Greengrass is probably best known for the best two Bourne films (Supremacy and Ultimatum) but he also made the underrated Green Zone and the almost unbearably tense United 93. It is the latter that Captain Phillips is most reminiscent of, as it depicts true life events that you will know the outcome of but still find yourself on the edge of your seat.
The titular hero is played by Tom Hanks, giving his best performance in some time, showing how someone seemingly so self assured can crumble under extreme pressure. Without giving any spoilers his final scene is a brilliant portrayal of someone in complete shock. Also outstanding are Barkhad Abdirahman as a near psychotic pirate, Chris Mulkey as a brave crew member and Max Martini as a cool and resolute Navy Seal commander.
As well as providing a gripping and fast moving adventure, Greengrass seems to be having fun depicting people at work and the chain of command within it. The Somali captain (Barkhad Abdi) clearly sees what he is doing as a job like any other now that over-fishing has ruined his ability to make money as a fisherman. We see a lot of procedural detail of Hanks on the ship before the attack, as we do with the two rescue teams.
Additionally, the tensions between Hanks who wants to complete the job as quickly as possible and his crew who’s primary concern is their safety are very similar to the hierarchical issues between the Abdi and his crew who also fear for their safety.
In a rare moment of calmness and contemplation, Hanks and Abdi seem to gain an understanding that they are both just doing a job, when they agree that everyone has a boss to answer to. Whatever subtexts may or may not be present, you are sure to be swept along by this rollicking action movie.