Peter Berg directs Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell and John Malkovich in this gripping recreation of the recent oil rig disaster.

Masterful storytelling setting up the physics and corporate malpractice of the tragic incident give way to a furiously intense hour of characters you care about surviving (or not surviving) the credibly realised inferno. To be honest, that opening half of working men and profit margin driven suits operating at knowingly dangerous cross purposes is so naturally acted and excitingly paced that when the hellish spectacle finally butts in you are almost disappointed we have to leave that talkier, more intelligent drama. If you were marvelled by Captain Phillips then this works a very similar high-end, top quality groove… although obviously a rather fine Wahlberg lead turn is still no match for Hanks. Emotionally captivating big budget cinema.

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