Captain Phillips

Bullseyes:  ④ (out of 5)

For a man who said, ‘Stoopid is as stoopid does’ it’s hard to believe that Tom Hanks or anyone else would consider floating down the Somalia coastline with a boat full of goodies.  But that’s exactly what he does!

Captain Phillips follows the travails of Tom and the rest of his container ship’s crew as they navigate the treacherous waters off the Somalia coast and run, inevitably, into a band of dastardly pirates.

A-Har!

But, instead of just grabbing the booty, tying the deck hands to the mizzenmast and making Hanks walk the plank, these pirates are greedy for more plunder and decide to take poor Tom hostage. 

Run Forrest run!

This movie is all about the tension.  Action, standoffs and tension.  Then more tension… aaah!  I can barely stand it.  In fact it’s a relief when it’s all over, especially for Hanks whose understated yet authentic reaction at the end is about as good as it gets.