Review of Captain Phillips (2013) by Dan S — 29 Oct 2014

The film must overcome the spoiler effect of being about a current event, and in general does a good job, although it lacks the nail-biting zip of a thriller where the ending is very much in doubt. There can't be any twists.

The SEALs are fated to take out the pirates and rescue Captain Phillips. Tom Hanks' Vermont accent sounds more generic New England than Green Mountain State, but most people aren't going to be able to tell unless they've spent a lot of time there.

He's good, but not brilliant in the role. I can't think of anyone else who could have bested him. I credit the director for not making this a bash the USA and globalization spectacle. There's been enough of that lately.

I'm sure nobody in Hollywood wants to look like they are opposed to Saint Obama, who authorized the use of deadly force in this case. I haven't heard of very many ship hijackings lately. I think the shipping companies got the message and have hired some rough men with assault rifles and telescopic sights to keep the Somalis at bay.

Besides, all they really need to do is emigrate to the USA and they won't need to be criminals. They'll get it handed to them.