| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Mark Wahlberg | ... | Mike Williams | |
| Kurt Russell | ... | Jimmy Harrell | |
| Douglas M. Griffin | ... | Landry | |
| James DuMont | ... | O'Bryan | |
| Joe Chrest | ... | Sims | |
| Gina Rodriguez | ... | Andrea Fleytas | |
| Brad Leland | ... | Kaluza | |
| John Malkovich | ... | Vidrine | |
| David Maldonado | ... | Kuchta (as Dave Maldonado) | |
| J.D. Evermore | ... | Dewey A. Revette (as JD Evermore) | |
| Ethan Suplee | ... | Jason Anderson | |
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Jason Pine | ... | Stephen Ray Curtis |
| Jason Kirkpatrick | ... | Aaron Dale Burkeen | |
| Robert Walker Branchaud | ... | Doug Brown | |
| Dylan O'Brien | ... | Caleb Holloway | |
In April 2010, there is no oil exploration operation in the Gulf of Mexico to compare with the Deepwater Horizon oil rig with its size or sheer depth of its drilling. However, the project for the BP oil company is beset with technical difficulties to the point where the general operational supervisor, Jimmy Harrell, and his Chief Electrical Engineer, Mike Williams, are concerned potentially dangerous trouble is brewing. Unfortunately, visiting BP executives, frustrated by the project's long delays, order curtailed site inspections and slanted system tests to make up for lost time even as Harrell, Williams and his team helplessly protest for the sake of proper safety. On April 20, the workers' fears are realized in the worst possible way when the rig's various structural and system flaws spark a catastrophic cascade of failures that would create a massive blowout and explosion that threatens them all, even as it also begins the worst environmental disaster in US history. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)
I usually don't write reviews but saw mostly negative reviews on here so far and that ain't right.
It is not a perfect movie and it's not artsy, or profound. However it is very entertaining, has wide appeal, will make you laugh, have you on the edge of your seat and might even make you cry. It's a slow build at the beginning but the tension soon rises and you will then be hooked. The effects appear to be realistic and mostly practical made with a production value that appears to be one of the most expensive films ever made (which alone is impressive given it is not a sequel or superhero movie).
Mark Wahlberg works as an everyman lead, but it is Kurt Russel who steals the show. Maybe the performance of his career, and the strongest aspect of the film in my opinion. Malkovich is also amazing as the villain, stealing every scene he is in. The two of them along with the incredible story done with top notch sets, effects and sound is exactly why you have to pay the money to see this on the biggest screen possible.
If you need a film to be a character study or you want senseless action from start to finish then you might be one of the people who is disappointed. But if you are looking for a gripping story with great tension and action that can be enjoyed by a wide range then go see this film.