‘Captain Phillips’: Intense movie, despite the mutiny
I had the chance to see Tom Hanks’ recent release “Captain Phillips” last week. You may have heard all the hub-bub about this film and differing views of what actually happened in 2009, when Hank’s character (the title role) and his crew on the cargo ship Maersk Alabama were under siege by Somali pirates.
Members of the crew have filed suit against the ship’s owners while painting a villainous picture of Phillips, stating the real life captain was not heroic and the film makers “fudged key facts.” Something to point out, though, the latter part of the movie, after Phillips ends up on a life boat with the pirates, seems to be fairly accurate, according to a 2009 Associated Press report.
Here is what I suggest. If it bothers you that the movie may not have an accurate depiction, then don’t go see it. But if you want to see an incredibly intense action movie that features one of the best actors of our time, go see “Captain Phillips,” and enjoy the ride.
Immediately after I saw it, I jested on Facebook: “Just saw Captain Phillips. I’m so pumped. I want to go beat up some pirates.”
This movie is very energizing. From the moment the pirates are in high pursuit of the ship, you are glued to the action. The Tom Hanks’ version of Phillips is likeable, and the audience can appreciate all of his tactics once his ship is threatened of a takeover.
The best part of the movie could be the final scene when Phillips is being checked out by a medic. Hanks is phenomenal, as expected, but I even give credit to medic’s performance. That’s about as realistic of a medical examination of a person in a state of shock as could ever be observed.
Many movies come to mind as I was watching this flick. This is a sure sign of how much I like a movie if I can compare it to other great films. The list of movies I recall when watching Phillips includes: “Cast Away,” “Die Hard,” “The Hunt for Red October,” “Behind Enemy Lines,” “Princess Bride” and “The Bourne” movies.
“Captain Phillips” is rated PG-13, and the rating would seem to be for the violence portrayed, which isn’t as bad as other popular action movies. Foul language is not rampant, and there is no sexual content at all.
My wife saw the movie with me. Her comment about the show: “It’s definitely a ‘guys’ night out’ movie. I mean, I liked it, but I’m not a typical girl.”
I would rate this movie four stars (out of four). Compared to the other movies that have been released this year, it is definitely of one of the best, if not the best.
(Photo Credit: Sony – Columbia Pictures)
Its a sad day when movie reviews are being done by Christians and it looks no different than what the world would say. It’s too bad that people cannot come to this site reguarly and be warned of what will actually be in a movie that would be offiensive to Christ. This movie has 6 misuses of the Lord’s name, one of which is combined with a foul word. That is just one example of the reasons not to go see it. There are many other foul words and excessive violence as mentioned.
(You can easily find this information on secular movie reviews and even Focus on The Family’s Plugged In page)
It is really sad that you even recommend this movie with that content in it, let alone pay to go see it. If we continue to support Hollywood in these films that give us the same things that the world craves how are we to look any different and be set apart as Scripture states so clearly.
A word of advice to the WordSlingers movie reviewers and to this writer in particular-do more research on trusted sites that will give the content of a movie before paying for it and before you recommend it to people. Very sad. I expected better from a Christian organiziation not to subject believers to endorsement that a movie is “the best” when you consider the very fact that if Christ Himself were sitting with you in that theatre, you would be cringing when these things came up on the screen…..
Hi Mr. AW. Thank you for your criticism, and for your advice regarding my movie review. You correctly point out that it is never appropriate to use the Lord’s name in vain. You also make a good point about how Christians should not support Hollywood. I have no counter response to these issues.
One of the purposes of Word Slingers is to connect with those who are interested in popular topics, and one of those topics would be current movies. Perhaps I should not have given as glowing a review on “Captain Phillips” as I did, regarding the points you have made, but my intention in writing about this movie is to be relational with those who would visit this website.
Those who know me know I am critical of much that is promoted through Hollywood, and not to disagree with your perspective, but I intend to connect with those who share my interest in movies in such a way that they can find positive, appropriate messages in films. Though you disagree with me, I hope you will find posts on Word Slingers from other contributors encouraging. Either way, I sincerely appreciate your feedback, and I thank you for visiting Word Slingers.
Hi Mr. AW,
Thank you for your criticism, and for your advice regarding my movie review. You correctly point out that it is never appropriate to use the Lord’s name in vain. You also make a good point about how Christians should not support Hollywood. I have no counter response to these issues.
One of the purposes of Word Slingers is to connect with those who are interested in popular topics, and one of those topics would be current movies. Perhaps I should not have given as glowing a review on “Captain Phillips” as I did, regarding the points you have made, but my intention in writing about this movie is to be relational with those who would visit this website.
Those who know me know I am critical of much that is promoted through Hollywood, and not to disagree with your perspective, but I intend to connect with those who share my interest in movies in such a way that they can find positive, appropriate messages in films.
Though you disagree with me, I hope you will find posts on Word Slingers from other contributors encouraging. Either way, I sincerely appreciate your feedback, and I thank you for visiting Word Slingers.
Hi Mr. AW. Thank you for your criticism, and for your advice
regarding my movie review. You correctly point out that it is never appropriate
to use the Lord’s name in vain. You also make a good point about how Christians
should not support Hollywood. I have no counter response to these issues.
One of the purposes of Word Slingers is to connect with those
who are interested in popular topics, and one of those topics would be current
movies. Perhaps I should not have given as glowing a review on “Captain
Phillips” as I did, regarding the points you have made, but my intention in
writing about this movie is to be relational with those who would visit this
website.
Those who know me know I am critical of much that is promoted
through Hollywood, and not to disagree with your perspective, but I intend to
connect with those who share my interest in movies in such a way that they can
find positive, appropriate messages in films.
Though you disagree with me, I hope you will find posts on Word Slingers from other contributors encouraging. Either way, I sincerely appreciate your feedback, and I thank you for visiting Word Slingers.