Deepwater Horizon (2016)
Rated PG-13
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Dylan O'Brien, Gina Rodriguez, Ethan Suplee, Kate Hudson,
Directed by Peter Berg
The Story:
In April 2010, operational supervisor Jimmy Harrell (Russell) and his chief engineer, Mike Williams (Wahlberg) are trying to explain to BP executives why the Deepwater Horizon oil rig is overbudget and behind schedule. BP of course wants no more excuses so they order shortcuts to get caught up and back on schedule. Naturally, bad things are about to happen and the worst oil spill in history is about to occur.
Naturally, this film is based on a true story.
While it's not a documentary, and parts of it are dramatized, what is true is that corporate greed cost men their lives and spilled millions of gallons of oil into the ocean.
When it went to trial, naturally, BP executives got off with no charges.
Go figure.
Peter Berg continues to be one of those efficient directors that seemingly flies under the radar. He makes a big budget film on a low budget, and makes the most of his cast, crew and editing. They are usually crisp movies that move along at a perfect pace and keep your interest from start to finish.
He re-teams with Walhberg, and set off on the quest to be an action drama that thrills and also leaves you holding your breath wondering how it's going to turn out, and who isn't going to make it.
Those people are honored as the end credits roll.
And that's part of what makes movies like this so difficult to watch.
You're both entertained, but at the end of the day, these weren't just actors getting killed to further the story, these were people who paid the ultimate price trying to do their jobs.
It also makes watching movies like this more than once a rare thing to do.
While they are technically sound and very well crafted, the subject matter doesn't cry out to be watched multiple times as an entertaining experience.
Your mileage may vary.
Final Grade: Solid B
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