Captain Phillips (1/21/14)

Rated PG-13 for sustained intense sequences of menace, some violence with bloody images, and for substance use.

Starring Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi and Max Martini

Directed by Paul Greengrass (Green Zone, The Bourne Ultimatum, United 93)

Captain Phillips is a real life hero.

Captain Phillips is a multi-layered examination of the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama by a crew of Somali pirates. It is – through director Paul Greengrass’s distinctive lens – simultaneously a pulse-pounding thriller, and a complex portrait of the myriad effects of globalization. The film focuses on the relationship between the Alabama’s commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks), and the Somali pirate captain, Muse (Barkhad Abdi), who takes him hostage. Phillips and Muse are set on an unstoppable collision course when Muse and his crew target Phillips’ unarmed ship; in the ensuing standoff, 145 miles off the Somali coast, both men will find themselves at the mercy of forces beyond their control.

I remember following this story back in 2009 and was really excited when I heard they were making a film about Captain Phillips’ ordeal. I was even more excited when I heard Tom Hanks was cast in the leading role. Hanks is a two-time Academy Award-winner for a reason, and he delivers yet another stellar performance here. I mean, he is solid all the way through the film, but the last 20 minutes are almost impossible to watch without becoming emotional.

Director Paul Greengrass does a brilliant job of quickly setting up the back-stories of Captain Phillips and the pirates; and then masterfully tells the real life story of the events that unfolded on that fateful day.

I love that they decided to show Captain Phillips and the crew of the Maersk Alabama in, what I’m assuming is a realistic manner. When four armed Somali pirates board the ship, the crew hides in fear for their lives – which was actually the smart thing to do. In most Hollywood films, we would have seen a lone “hero” take out the bad guys one by one. Instead we get to see the very real heroic actions of Captain Philips, his men and the men and women of the US Navy. I loved it!

The only negative for me is the amount of yelling in the film. The four Somali pirates seem to yell the entire film. I realize I’m exaggerating, but between the intensity of the film, the yelling and having to read subtitles…I had a huge headache walking out of the theater.

But I still loved it, it’s “Worth Buying.”

SHOW THE KIDS SEE IT?
This is a PG-13 film that most teenagers can see. There are no sex/nudity scenes and there is some profanity, but it is more on the mild side.

The film is incredibly gritty and intense after the first few scenes and very emotional at the end.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. How would you describe the relationship between Captain Phillips and his captors?


2. So was it a surprise to you when he bandaged his captor’s foot?


3. Read Luke 6:28
   Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
   
   Who are some people who have cursed or mistreated you?


4. How can you bless them this week?