Review of The 33 (2015) by Patrick L — 07 May 2016

"There's a compelling and heartwarming movie to be found here but "The 33" goes for the easy way out".

DVD Movie Review: The 33.

Date Viewed: February 18 2016.

Directed By Patricia Riggen (Girl in Progress).

Screenplay By Mikko Alanne, Craig Borten and Michael Thomas, Story By Jose Rivera,.

Based on the book "Deep Down Dark" by Hector Tobar.

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro,.

Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Juan Pablo Raba, Mario Casas, Kate del Castillo, Bob Gunton, Jacob Vargas, Cote de Pablo and Gabriel Byrne.

There's a compelling and heartwarming movie to be found here but "The 33" goes for the easy way out. It's based on the true story of the 2010 Chile mining disaster which trapped 33 miners and were rescued over the course of 69 days. Sure, it was a miracle that all 33 miners survived the mining collapse but nobody in Hollywood found a proper movie for this heart-tugging story. It does what it sets out to do but you won't find much to appreciate.

A big group of 33 miners (led by Antonio Banderas and Lou Diamond Phillips) are about to work in the San Jose mine which has failing stability and could potentially collapse. Despite those warning sings, the mine's owner ignores them and let's his workers go into the mine anyway. A short time later, the mine does collapse and the 33 miners manage to reach the rescue chamber.

With the only way out blocked, no medical supplies and little food, Mario Sepulveda (Banderas) urges his fellow miners to calm down from outbursts of violence and despair.

The only thing to do is hope for a big rescue but the mine company pulls the plug on any rescue for their trapped miners. This news brings outrage to the families of those trapped miners as they gather around the gates and protest the mining company for not doing anything about the situation.

With public outcry growing, the Chliean mining minister, Laurence Golborne (Rodrigo Santoro) urges the government to take action. Almost immediately, an international team of miners is assigned to drill deep down.

Where the miners are and establish communication with them. When the drill does reach them, the miners put a note on the drill notifying the rescuers that they're all alive. The mining disaster receives worldwide attention and Mario becomes the public face for the group.

Some of the surviving miners have stories to tell but the movie doesn't establish them well enough. The cast also includes Kate del Castillo as Mario's wife, Gabriel Byrne as the engineer who orchestrated the rescue mission, Bob Gunton as the Chilean president, James Brolin as an American miner who masterminds the drilling operation for the miners' rescue and Juliette Binoche as a sister for one of the miners who protests the government's unwillingness to take any action. Binoche is massively miscast here because it's impossible to believe she can play a native from Chile.

"The 33" is also overlong and lacking in real inspiration or drama. This movie does have it's heart in the right place but it's complete hogwash.