Geek of Oz

I’ve always loved films which are set upon the high seas. There’s an ever-present danger and unpredictability to the ocean which adds weight to the drama and reminds us of how small we are in comparison to the vast foreboding landscape. With that in mind, Captain Phillips is a perfectly-executed tension-filled tort hostage film. Directed by Paul Greengrass (United 93, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum) the film is based upon the 2008 kidnapping of American Captain Richard Phillips by Somali Pirates. I was concerned that knowing the outcome of the story would have an adverse effect on my experience; however it seemed to raise the stakes for me. The film superbly blends elements of heist, hostage and action films with a bleak cynical look at world economics.