MOVIE REVIEW: A really solid blockbuster

CAST your minds back to 2010 and the largest oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. 

Five million barrels leaked into the Gulf of Mexico and 11 people died. Maybe not the most exciting basis for a blockbuster movie Hollywood has ever come up with, but one that turns out to be surprisingly gripping.

Of course there are other elements to this story that add to the dramatic flow and suspense. 

For a start, we’re not simply dealing with a large shipping container that catches fire and sinks as is often the case with similar disasters, ‘Deepwater Horizon’ is a giant ill-fated oil rig that sits atop an unstable and volatile well. 

And British Petroleum (BP), who are clearly portrayed as the baddies of the piece, are guilty of wanting to save time and money by not carrying out the necessary safety tests, thus putting everyone on the enormous steel structure in mortal danger.

The first half of the movie deals with the time leading up to the fateful incident and sets up the rising conflict between the rig operator Jimmy (played by Kurt Russell) whose paramount concern is his workers’ safety, and BP officials who want to start drilling at all costs. 

What might have been difficult to understand technical information about offshore deep sea drilling is transmitted to the audience in a clever and coherent fashion. 

And when the big moment eventually arrives, the subsequent action packed sequences prove thoroughly engaging, mainly because by that time the viewer is fully invested in the story and characters.

The film is well-written and directed, with witty dialogue and strong attention to detail in each character portrayal. 

A fine cast of acting talent is headed by the underrated Mark Wahlberg, who is supported by Russell, Kate Hudson and John Malkovich.

‘Deepwater Horizon’ demonstrates that disaster movies don’t always have to be by the numbers and predictable. 

Smart writing, solid acting and clever directing can deliver explosive storylines as well as exploding sets. We score it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.

Paul O’Rourke