These simple fishermen travel the seas in search of a vessel, either to tale their valuable cargo, or in a worse case scenario, they hold the crew hostage umtil a ransom is paid.
All the men on board the Carrier are aware of the treacherous waters that they travel, and this is brought home when an attempt is made to board the vessel. Thankfully for them the attempt fails, no thanks to the Authorities who provide little help. Unfortunately for the Crew the Somalians are a determined bunch, and return, and on their second attempt are more successful.
Phillips jhas instructed the majority of his crew to hide in the lower areas of the Carrier, and try stay out of sight of the Pirates. He in the meantime tries to sort a deal where the Pirates can get some money and be back oin their way home, but they seem to want a far bigger haul for their efforts.
Director Greengrass builds the tension quite nicely as the crew try to evade being spotted by the Pirates and thus becoming additional hostages. There comes a point where the crew may have the upper hand, but things do not go as expected, and Phillips finds himself with the Pirates in an escape vessel. The Pirates aim is to make it to land and offer the good Captain for a ransom. This is where the confinement really builds up the tension.
The military get involved as the US Government does not want to see Phillips reach Somalian land, the stakes are high, as they have to find a way to get him free of his captives, yet it is almost seemingly impossible given the small craft that they are all housed in.
The Pirates are all played by actors with no previous experience, yet this does not show. Many have said how great Barkhad Abdi is in his portrayal of the leader of the Pirates, and yes he is very good but for me it was Barkhad Abdirahman who really did an excellent job, his character seeming rather unhinged, the slightest noise, or something not right and he wants to start shooting, even if it meant killing Phillips and having nothing to bargain with. Whenever he was going off on one, you never knew what might happen next, and it often left one with a sense of unease.
As ever, Mr. Hanks does a first class job in the title role, and many have said he most certainly be Oscar nominated and may even win a third lead actor award. If he does it will be for the final 20 minutes or so, this is when Hanks really is at his very best, as the realisation of what is potentially going to unfold, as the events play out, we feel every emotion with him.
A good film, which boasts a memorable final act.......8 out of 10
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