Captain Phillips
Directed by: Paul Greengrass Starring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Keener, John Magaro Rating: Not Yet Rated Release Date: October 11, 2013
Trailer Score: 8/10
Thoughts by TSR: "Good movie" is the impression this trailer gives off. Nothing in the trailer suggests to me that this will be the best film of 2013 – though a slew of Oscar nominations wouldn't surprise me regardless of if I'm right or wrong on that – but it looks like a solid, well-acted, well-made drama. Sort of like Argo from last year (cue the screams that Argo was the best film of 2012).
Speaking of best films of 2012, Cloud Atlas was very high on my personal list. I loved all of Tom Hanks' performances in that film and he looks to be continuing his hot streak here. Sure, I don't love that he's using his Carl Hanratty voice from Catch Me If You Can, but other than that I like what I see. Hanks is the type of immediately likable presence that I completely buy as a captain who wants nothing more than to end this ordeal safely for his people. There's a lot of really good stuff in this, from Hanks being concerned about two fast approaching dots on the radar, him asking if that's it when talking on the phone, and the intense attack sequence. Hanks using a flare as a weapon is a terrific moment, but my favorite thing in the trailer has to be the way he tries to remain calm while the pirate tells him he's the captain now.
While I doubt this is something I'm going to rush out to see on opening weekend, this trailer makes a strong case for seeing Captain Phillips sooner rather than later.