* NO SPOILERS, JUST A TEASE*
Captain Phillips, a movie full of suspense and thrill, left me with the hair on the back of my neck sticking up after a 2009 U.S. container ship, Maersk Alabama, was hijacked by a crew of Somali pirates. Two time Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks played the magnificent role of Captain Phillips and definitely had me hoping for the best throughout the movie. Most of us know Tom Hanks from films such as The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons and Saving Private Ryan. Many family members told me the movie was great and I could not miss the chance to see it. Of course when I hear Tom Hanks was starring in it, I rushed to my Fandango account to get the real scoop on the movie. I definitely rely on what the critics have to say of the movie… call them jerks, but they speak the truth. Fans: Must Go! Critics: Must Go! Therefore, I Must Go!
Now, do not worry about a movie spoiler because I hate when people do that to me as well. I am going to give you a quick rundown of this movie, which was based on a true story. During fall break, I headed to Times Square along with my beau for the 9:40 showtime. Although we were both debating on Captain Phillips or Carrie, we both knew it was too late to watch what was supposedly a frightening movie. Little did I know that Captain Phillips would get me more scared and worried than Carrie. As soon as the movie started, all the popcorn munching and soda slurping immediately stopped (or else I would have to stop it myself). Just think about being 145 miles off the Somali coast on an unarmed ship, and taken hostage by pirates. If you are thinking of Pirates from the Caribbean, you are wrong! Rather, they were Somali pirates. Does that not sound freak you out just a tad-bit? Captain Richard Phillips is on an 11-day voyage and he has no idea his life will be in danger. As I am sitting in my chair, I start to bug my boyfriend and asking silly questions like, “Why is this happening?” and “What does this mean?”. Um, I was about to pee my pants from the anxiety. Captain Phillips knows what the heck he is doing, and of course he has to get his ship crew running fast when two small armed-engine boats are only a couple feet away. Thank God I am not in the captain’s shoes; I would have caused another Titanic scenario.
Okay, so why the hell is a big cargo ship unarmed? Ridiculous to think that safety was not an option. When Captain Phillips starts to realize that he is in a “sinking hole”, he definitely starts to feel the anxiety I started to feel from the beginning of this movie. He doesn’t even have the nerve to let his wife and kids know. Yes, you do not want to worry the woman- we already worry enough. Still, if I had no idea that my husband was in trouble, I think it would be worse for the man once he got home. Then, the sequence of menace and bloody images start to pop up… and OMFG. Tension, beating, money, Navy Seals, tears, screams, guns: insanity ensues! I seriously wanted to jump through the theatre screen at that point. Now, don’t get too scared because we all know how movies end. The good ones always end up with a good outcome, but I literally felt like there was no escape. I felt like I was on the ship myself. I now understand how dangerous and suspenseful the job of a captain can be. True heroes can be found anywhere.
The malnourished bodies of the Somali pirates were definitely a great example of how society is for lower-class men. I definitely did not expect the outcome to surpass my expectations- I actually BAWLED! Pure suspense, pure quality, pure thrill, and of course pure TOM HANKS! Round of applause for Tom Hanks and Paul Greengrass for making a Top-Notch, gripping movie that we cannot pass by. I literally felt like I was on the ship myself. Oh, and did I mention that this movie is 2 1/2 hours long? Put your books, kids, boyfriend, girlfriend, and everything else down, you will not be saying sorry. If you are still debating between two movies or if you should even give the movie or my blog a chance, then I leave you with a sneak peek trailer.
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This article was written by Sharon Mejia. Email her at sharonrichelle[at]gmail.com