LONDON FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW - CAPTAIN PHILLIPS

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
Sponsored by ST. ERMIN'S HOTEL, LONDON

Release Date: 18 October 2013 (UK)

Director: Paul Greengrass

Running Time: 134 Minutes

Starring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmd, Madam M. Ali

Screening Reviewed: London Film Festival Opening Night Gala Press Screening

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

Following on from the high-adrenaline, taught frenzy of his Bourne series, and having previously so successfully dipped into docu-drama with the likes of Bloody Sunday and United 93 (nabbing an Oscar nomination for Directing in the process), it is unsurprising that Brit director Paul Greengrass proves the perfect helmer for this gripping and at times surprisingly emotional adaptation of the real-life hijacking of the Maersk Alabama cargo ship at the hands of Somali Pirates which took place back in 2009. 

THE BOURNE LEGACY: MOVIE REVIEW

THE BOURNE LEGACY
Release Date: 17th August (UK)
Director: Tony Gilroy
Running Time: 135 Minutes
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Donna Murphy, Albert Finney

Reviewed by Henry Kelly

The Bourne Legacy begins with the exact same image its predecessor ended with; a silhouette of a man struggling underwater, but as he emerges the difference is plain to see: this is not Jason Bourne. It is this balance of familiarity combined with new found novelty that perpetuates throughout the film and makes The Bourne Legacy something of an uneven affair which struggles to find its own identity under the weight of the franchise bequeathed to it.

With series’ lead Matt Damon opting out of continuing here, Jeremy Renner steps forward to take up the mantle of central protagonist. Previous director Paul Greengrass did likewise, prompting Universal to go to the closest creative connection in hiring Tony Gilroy, writer of the original trilogy to direct this fourth installment.