Deepwater Horizon

Cast: Mark Whalberg, Kurt Russell, James DuMont, Joe Chrest, John Malkovich, Douglas M. Griffin and J.D Evermore.

Director: Peter Berg

Release Date: 2016

Running Time: 1hr 47 minutes

Genre: Drama/Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Format: Blu-Ray

Synopsis:

A dramatization of the awful disaster that struck in April 2010, where the offshore drilling rig Deepwater Horizon exploded and created the worst oil spill in US History.

No one could be prepared for the terrifying events that took place on April 20th, 2010! An uncontrollable blowout caused an explosion on the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon. Overwhelming heat and a fireball visible from 40 miles away! Director Peter Berg has taken the astonishing true story to the big screen! Mark Whalberg plays Mike Williams Chief Electrical Engineer on board Deepwater Horizon, Mike is concerned that potentially dangerous trouble is brewing beneath the surface. Not long after the explosion occurs! Whalberg delivers one of his best performances, the resemblance between Mark and Mike Williams is quite incredible. Deborah Aquila and Tricia Wood cast the actors beautifully in ensuring the movie was authentic as possible!

Kurt Russell plays Jimmy Harrell the top drilling officer on board Deepwater Horizon. A very confident man who wants the job done good and right! Those on board the rig knew exactly what they were doing, BP however did not! It can be very difficult making a movie based on a true story, without offending those who were really there that day! None of us can imagine how truly frightening the whole experience must have been for the diggers! The roaring noise from the explosion that must have been beyond deafening. The bravery however that took place that day in making sure everyone possible could get off safe is astonishing.

The acting is fantastic and very realistic, you really sympathize with the characters, not just because you know they are based on real people, but these are everyday people who do the same thing day in an day out like many of us when a horrifying event takes place. Whalberg and Russell work fantastically together on screen and share a good on screen relationship between boss and chief engineer. I love the realism between characters. I love how real the acting is.

The storyline is extremely gripping and full of suspense! You will certainly find yourself on the edge of your seat in anticipation. As much as it's a thriller it's also a documentary! Peter Berg wanted to make sure he told the story as true as possible, so no you don't see action right from the start because to put it quite simply it did not happen like that in reality. The poor souls on board Deepwater Horizon didn't know what was going to happen and that is exactly how it's portrayed in the movie. Please don't be put off in believing that the movie is boring either, it's harrowing, thrilling and very very real! Stunning moments of cinematography that capture the explosion perfectly! Frightening close ups of the fireball that will have your heart thumping out of your chest!

Production designer Chris Seagers has created a very impressive set design, so realistic he allows you to fully immerse yourself into the movie, believing that what you are seeing is real, not a movie. A truly magnificent film, that is gripping, thrilling and truly inspiring after watching the bravery of those on board the rig. The soundtrack is brilliant, composed beautifully by Steve Jablonsky and Gary Clark Jr, it just works, it's gentle, simple and works the same way a score on a documentary would. It's not about the soundtrack it's about the story. The people.  Perfect for those who love movies based on true stories, absolutely terrifying! Emotional and very real!

Blu-Ray Special Features:

Beyond the Horizon:

Behind the scenes look with Mike Williams, Mark Whalberg and Director Peter Berg, ensuring that the movie was authentic and true to the real accounts. Very interesting to see Mike Williams and have his account on what happened that day. A small insight into how they created the rig and how a rig really works.

Captain of the Rig Peter Berg:

Director Peter Berg discusses what inspired him to direct the movie with producer/actor Mark Whalberg. How he chose to direct the actors to get the best from them. Sound designers Steve Jablonsky and Gary Clark Jr discuss how they chose the score.

The Fury of the Rig:

A 30 minute segment on how they created and designed Deepwater Horizon. After seeing how fantastic it looks on screen it's really very impressive. The detail that went into the design is amazing! The special effects team show how everything was made and design, very fascinating.

Deepwater Surveillance:

Camera's perspective on how each major scene was shot. How additional scenes were put together. Goes through numerous amount of scenes, very interesting.

5/5 stars