Review of Captain Phillips (2013) by Dylan P — 03 Mar 2016

A superb thriller. This is an extremely effective film. First of all, the claustrophobic feeling that is given. You genuinely feel Captain Phillips' despair and fear. Another thing is the fact that the film was entirely shot on handheld camera.

It makes you feel like you're there on the boat. And the actors are brilliant. Tom Hanks is superb, obviously. Barkhad Abdi does a brilliant and layered performance as the Somali pirate who deep down doesn't want to be here.

But the real find is Barkhadin Abdirahman, who plays Balil, the teenager who comes along feeling like he has to prove himself. The regret and remorse that the talented young actor shows in his face is genius, makes for an even more crushing conclusion.

Perfect film, highly recommended.