Captain Phillips

Let’s begin this blog with the words “outstanding and excellent”!!  Have no doubt, this movie hits the mark for one that will make you sit on the edge of the seat the entire time.  Based on the true story of Captain Richard Phillips and his crew (of the American cargo ship, Maersk Alabama, who were held hostage by a small band of Somalia pirates on the Indian Ocean in 2009). The story is deeper than just a hijacking though.  The crew is in hiding while the Captain tries to talk the pirates into just taking their money and leaving.  The head of the pirates knows they are hiding and wants to find them. This is where the movie takes a turn – the crew kidnaps the leader while the pirates hold the captain hostage.  It’s a standoff.  The pirates want the money and will give back their captain for the release of their captain.  As it turns out – Captain Phillips is pushed into the life raft which is used for their escape.  The Navy SEALs are alerted and the race is on to save the captain before they kill him.  Stuck in the life raft – 4 pirates and 1 captain must come to some kind of understanding before they are all lost.   What I enjoyed about this film is the outstanding acting done by Tom Hanks who plays Captain Phillips and first time actor, Barkhad Abdi who plays the pirate leader, Abduwali Muse.  It gives you a lot to think about as you watch young men turn to a life of crime to survive and the bravery of the captain and his crew and our Navy who saved his life.  I can’t say enough about this film and one that’s not to be missed!!