Slick buildup burns out quickly

Rating: Null/10 (26 December 2016)

Deepwater Horizon has an effective buildup that would usually indicate a decent payoff. Kurt Russell and John Malkovich face off in the most interesting segment where the two have a heated debate. However, while the film establishes some intriguing points regarding the managing of the rig, this all is quickly forgotten once the action picks up. The remaining portion of the film is surprisingly flat and monotonous. The situations the characters find themselves in lack dramatic value and don't add up to anything memorable.
The lack of scope is underwhelming, and it feels like a more in- depth look at the event would have given more value to the film beyond cycling through action film clichÃ©s. You get the sense that you are supposed to be emotionally drained by the end of it, yet due to several flaws, all I could muster was a "hmm".
**/**** - Tolerable but underwhelming