Review of Deepwater Horizon (2016) by Elicia O — 08 Oct 2016

If there was a film this year more suited to being watched on a big screen then someone please shout up. Deepwater Horizon fills the screen with incredible stunts, effects and tension that if you are even remotely considering watching this movie then do not wait for the dvd and get to the biggest screen to watch it.

The action is stunning, the tension will have you gripping the armrest, the grizzly industry will have you chewing your fingers and believe it or not the emotional core will have your eyes watering. Based on the real life oil spill, Deepwater Horizon follows the men as they attempt to evacuate the exploding rig.

They are all heroes for their ability to remain calm and follow evacuation procedures, but what makes the film so true to real life is that we don't have one main character being the hero for all, instead it shows how many go that little bit further to prolong time for escape.

There aren't many near misses or dangling from ropes over canons, what we have is major issues and characters navigating their way around in the safest way possible. Sounds as if this will take any tension away but in fact it doesn't instead placing the every man in their shoes.

Mark Wahlberg is the lead name on the piece but in fact he isn't particularly for and centre of the narrative. It is more of an ensemble piece with certain characters receiving star names to portray them.

Malkovich is great as the sneery BP spokesman and Russell brings a charm to Mr Jimmy with this pair's rivalry being one of the stories strong points. Wahlberg's chemistry with Kate Hudson feels real and the emotional impact upon their family brings a tear.

There are problems. At times it is overly sentimental, especially towards the all-American hero, and the characters aren't particularly fully developed but regardless you see this for the pure tension woven throughout, from drill pipe tests to full on explosions.

It is a very good film and one of the first that will have you fretting at the sight of high pressure mud.