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A commanding officer and a Somali pirate captain clash in a tense and suspenseful standoff.
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Based on a true story, the film focuses on the Alabama’s commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips, and the Somali pirate captain, Muse, who takes him hostage. The two men are set on an unstoppable collision course when Muse and his crew target Phillips’ unarmed ship; in the ensuing standoff, both men will find themselves at the mercy of forces beyond their control.
"Based on true events that occurred in 2009, it may not be an exact portrait of the events, but as a cinematic work, it manages to create a tense and suspenseful atmosphere that grips the viewer. Director Paul Greengrass puts his trademark - fast and impactful action scenes - but the real merit lies in the casting of non-actors in the roles of the Somali pirates. Their performance is one of the high points of the work."