Heralded actor Tom Hanks latest movie details the realities of modern day piracy on the worlds seas, yet lacks a much needed cerebral punch.
"Captain Phillips" is worth a watch when its theater release has run its course. (2.5 star rating) The movie is Based on the true story of Captain Richard Phillips, a U.S. cargo-ship captain played by Hanks who surrendered himself to Somali pirates in 2009 so that his crew would be freed.
Somali pirate Muse, acted by Barkhad Abdi is the ring leader among the pirates who seize control of the cargo ship MV Maersk Alabama en route to Mombasa, Kenya. His counterpart, Bilal, characterized by actor Barkhad Abdirahman is the menacing force to the Americans.
Abdi, Bilal and the rest of the Somali pirates, because of their birth place and station in life are forced into sea crimes which ignited my intrigue on more global happenings. Excessive greed soon consumes Muse and Bilal after seizing helm of the cargo ship. The chaos begins soon after they kidnap captain Phillips and the U.S. Navy gets involved.
Screen writer Billy Ray adapted the story from the book "A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea" by Stephan Talty. Actors Hanks, Abdi and Abdirahman nailed their performances while everyone else had minimal roles including the alluring actress Catherine Keener who plays Hanks wife, Andrea Phillips.
Brief moments of intensity in "Captain Phillips" were too brief in this lengthy flick which is a onetime watch when it comes to Netflix.
