Dustin: 4.5 of 5 stars Nick: 3 of 5 stars Average: 3.75 of 5 stars (Live canary)
Dustin: Captain Phillips is a movie based on a book based on a true story. It features a cast of unknown actors like Faysal Ahmed, a couple Barkhads (Abdi and Abdirahman), Tom Hanks and Michael Chernus.
What did you think of Captain Phillips, Nick?
Nick: This might be the best example of a trailer that actually represents the tone and theme of a movie, and for that I’m surely thankful. Though what the trailer shows didn't exactly appeal to me, and neither did the movie.
Dustin: That accounts for our differences in ratings because this is exactly the kind of story that appeals to me.
Nick: The story is appealing, but the way Captain Phillips interprets it is less interesting.
Dustin: How so?
Nick: The fact the film is called “Captain Phillips” is bothering as the only recognizable actor in the film is playing the title role. If anything, the film would have been more convincing with an unknown actor playing that part just because the ability to suspend disbelief is almost impossible when staring at Tom Hanks. This, plus the fact that if you know the story before going in almost all tension is taken away from the main character.
Dustin: It is unavoidable to have a well-known actor in a movie like this. Even I’m guilty of being uninterested in a film if it stars a bunch of nobodies.
Nick: Yes, but you could always put the stars in smaller roles and give the main role to a somewhat unknown actor, such as the film I wanted to see this week, 12 Years A Slave.
Dustin: I definitely want to catch that when it comes to Kansas City.
I disagree knowing the story going in took away from the tension. This was a widely publicized event, so I don’t think we’re giving away too much. All I really knew going in was what was in the news. I remembered when the story first came out of Navy SEALs gunning down Somali pirates, and Capt. Phillips was on a talk show, therefore he would live and the pirates would get shot. But at times I was gripping the seat in the theater, reminding myself the pirates would get shot at the end and the Rich Phillips would live.
NIck: I could have sworn that when we left the theater the first thing you said to me was that it killed your suspense since you already knew what was going to happen. Though the only thing I knew was the outcome of Capt. Phillips, because of his book based upon his happenings. The scenes that were fascinating were of the Somali pirates as they got ready to do some pirating! There should have been a few more minutes with the pirates in Somalia.
Dustin: I just wanted to sound brave. I agree there should have been more scenes of the pirates in Somalia, as I’ll probably never go there unless my job gets really brave and thinks I could find opportunities there. Those scenes could have been filmed more steadily with shots lasting longer than two seconds. Paul Greengrass must be an epileptic who doesn't bother refilming scenes he shot while having a seizure, which were undoubtedly triggered by his own jerky camera work.
Nick: There was probably only 45 minutes at most that should have been shot with a handycam, but Greengrass says “Fuck All” to that and shoots a scene of Hanks and Keener getting ready for the airport with the camera getting all crazy-like.
Dustin: Exactly. Not every shot needs to be jerky and exciting. The scenes on the lifeboat make sense to be shaky, but not Capt. Phillips packing a suitcase in his bedroom. Paul Greengrass is good at getting performances from his actors and creating tension in scenes, dragging out the suspense just as long as it should be, but he needs to hand the camera to someone who isn't hopped up on caffeine.
Nick: The film also did a good job of not relying on the score in order to define emotion, which makes the acting all the more necessary. Though at times, mostly towards the end, the score does become loud and overdramatic.
Dustin: Let’s get a little intellectual and talk about the theme. This is a very American movie in that it presented a problem that could be fixed by shooting it. It is very appealing in that sense. At times it does go deeper into the pirates’ motivation. They have to answer to greedier bosses and don’t feel like they have opportunities other than thievery. But the movie doesn't address the theme that the problem is economic inequality that can’t be fixed with bullets, but harder solutions like infrastructure investment and wealth distribution. Then again, a movie about an NGO in Puntland wouldn't be nearly as suspenseful, unless Paul Greengrass amped up the shaky cam and shortened up his shots, of course.
Nick: The film touches on that topic quite a lot, giving the viewer an idea that the pirates aren't evil, but are committing crimes in order to survive.
Dustin: The pirates were basically evil. They maimed and threatened to kill people. The young one and the driver were sympathetic at times, but the leader--Muse--and the fourth pirate were beyond help. Given the opportunity to walk away with an easy $30,000, no small fortune in Somalia, they turn down the offer, saying, “I want millions!”
Nick: Muse is not beyond help and he is completely sympathetic. The character has composure and the ability of listening before acting. You are right about the fourth pirate, but at the same time, the film tells you that they have no other option. Their bosses expect more than $30,000. They even call up their lackeys and tell them not to bother coming home if that’s all they would be coming back with.
Dustin: Muse and the fourth pirate, whose name I never caught, were both shown to be hopped up on some kind of stimulant the entire time. He wasn’t very clever, radioing Tom Hanks and saying, “This is your Coast Guard!” in a thick African accent. He considered everything before acting, but I don’t think he would have hesitated to kill everyone on board the ship if it suited his ends.
By the way, I do really like the actor who played him, Barkhad Abdi. Very interesting face, and he’s more attractive in real life than his character was. He played the part well, looking sinister and inscrutable closing his eyes half-way like James Franco.
Nick: Muse had many opportunities to kill people that might have benefited his ends, including the fourth pirate we keep talking about, Najee.
Abdi and the other actors portraying Somali pirates were absolutely the highlight and why I would have to recommend the film. Though that Tom Hanks kid wasn't bad either.
Dustin: I just remember the pictures of the real Muse smiling into the cameras as he was brought in in handcuffs. Not exactly a model citizen.
Dustin: I guess that’s why it’s only “Inspired by actual events,” much like Paranormal Activity, and every other piece-of-shit horror film released in the past few years.
Nick: P.s. Tell me if you (the audience) thought Tom Hanks sounded like Randy Marsh from South Park at the end.
Dustin: I didn't notice until you mentioned it, but I did laugh when you said that.
By the way, you and Laura did a great job reviewing Don Jon in my absence. It’s a little discouraging to see I’m not needed after all.
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