Directed by The Bourne Ultimatum’s Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips is the incredible true story of Captain Richard Phillips, who was abducted by Somali pirates back during a stretch of hijackings and kidnappings by Somali pirates in 2009. Phillips was at the helm of the Maersk Alabama cargo ship, when it was boarded by four armed Somali men, but his crew was fortunately trained in anti-piracy tactics and they were able to shut the ship down and keep the pirates from taking it.
Unfortunately, the pirates did take Captain Phillips away in a lifeboat, and they spent four days trying to outrun the USS Bainbridge and the USS Halyburton. Chances are if you watched the news around that time, you know how it all ended, but if you didn’t, then this is the movie for you.
What I’d most like to know is how Phillips didn’t lose his mind by the end of the first day in that tiny lifeboat with no bathroom and ventilation. I mean, that’s some serious hot-boxing. My dog farts when she sleeps under the blanket sometimes and when I move that sucker in the morning it’s like a tear gas attack. So I imagine it was worse than that.