Nice call-back to the old disaster movies concentrating, more on the human tragedy

Rating: 6/10 (16 October 2016)

This movie is based on a true disaster that took place in 2010, where a drilling rig (Deepwater Horizon) exploded and caused one of the worst oil spill in history. However, the movie concentrates solemnly on the human aspect and on what happened on that day to the people involved. It's not about the politic, the environment or the impact of humans as a specie, but about the human pettiness and greed as well as its courage and resilience in the face of danger. All the ingredients to make a good old- fashion disaster movie.
The structure of the film itself is pretty standard. As most disaster movies, we are first introduced to some of the main characters that we will follow during the mayhem that will ensue. Then something bad happens because of a bad decision motivated by greed/power or outside forces. Finally, we get our action scenes in all its explosive and deadly splendor. Nothing that we haven't seen before.
The real force of this movie is its focus on the human element. In more recent movies, CGI and effects have been the real star of the genre, with no need for big acting chop or real emotion. "Deepwater Horizon" revives this aspect seen in classics such as "The Poseidon Adventure" and "The Towering Inferno". Now, unlike those, there are no big inspirational characters that is boasted as the hero. There is just one main character, a simple family man (played by Mark Wahlberg) who is doing his best to survive and help the few people he can help on his way.
As a reenactment of a real tragedy, this movie seems mostly respectful of that aspect, downplaying the "hero" aspect and enhancing the reality feel. The camera is always close to the people, and there is never a moment where we feel a sense of "aw" in face of the fire and the destruction, only dread and horror of how insignificant we are against nature, no matter how much we want to believe we have it under control.
Don't expect a pop-corn flick such as "San Andreas" or "The Day after Tomorrow", or you will be most likely disappointed. Overall, "Deepwater Horizon" is a decent movie concentrating more on the human aspect of a real event. Pretty standard in its structure but well-paced and with a good focus on its characters and an emotional ending, it is a good old-fashioned disaster movie, well worth a watch.