I was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed this film after watching the disappointing and frankly weird Deepwater Horizon, from the same director and lead actor. Leaving all political comment behind, in the main, I found this wasn't as sickeningly sentimental, dangerously racist and gung-ho as it might have been, but actually a very tense and at times moving version of events we all remember so well from the news coverage of the time.
One of the big plus points is the score by Trent Reznor, which pumps the action along very effectively. Also some nice work in supporting roles by J.K. Simmons and Melissa Benoist. On the other side of the coin, Michelle Monaghan and John Goodman may as well have phoned it in, so under-developed were their roles.
There are things in here that could be judged as borderline cringe- worthy, but it always just about gets away with it by the fact that it is a damn fine action / chase thriller. Recommended with reservations.
One of the big plus points is the score by Trent Reznor, which pumps the action along very effectively. Also some nice work in supporting roles by J.K. Simmons and Melissa Benoist. On the other side of the coin, Michelle Monaghan and John Goodman may as well have phoned it in, so under-developed were their roles.
There are things in here that could be judged as borderline cringe- worthy, but it always just about gets away with it by the fact that it is a damn fine action / chase thriller. Recommended with reservations.