Deepwater Horizon Blu-ray Review

4 Stars Intense suspense drama

Peter Berg’s docudrama disaster film, Deepwater Horizon, which chronicles the worst oil disaster in U.S. history, arrives on Blu-ray with a reference quality Dolby Atmos track and almost reference quality video.

Deepwater Horizon (2016)
Released: 30 Sep 2016
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 107 min
Director: Peter Berg
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, Douglas M. Griffin, James DuMont
Writer(s): Matthew Michael Carnahan (screenplay), Matthew Sand (screenplay), Matthew Sand (screen story), David Rohde (article), Stephanie Saul (article)
Plot: A dramatization of the April 2010 disaster when the offshore drilling rig, Deepwater Horizon, exploded and created the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
IMDB rating: 7.3
MetaScore: 68

Disc Information
Studio: Lionsgate
Distributed By: N/A
Video Resolution: 1080P/AVC
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: Dolby Atmos, English 2.0 DD, English 7.1 Dolby TrueHD, English DVS 2.0, Spanish 5.1 DD
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 Hr. 47 Min.
Package Includes: Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Copy, UltraViolet
Case Type: 2-disc Blu-ray eco keepcase with slipcover
Disc Type: BD50 (dual layer)
Region: A
Release Date: 01/10/2017
MSRP: $39.99

The Production: 3.5/5

On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon, a semi-submersible offshore drilling rig, exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, causing the worst oil spill and disaster in U.S. history. Of the 126 crew members on board at the time of the explosion, 11 were killed. Peter Berg’s film, Deepwater Horizon, tries to document the events leading up to that event in what is an often intense and suspenseful disaster movie. Typical of the genre, the film features an all-star cast including Mark Wahlberg as Chief Electronics Technician Mike Williams, Kurt Russell as Safety Supervisor Jimmy Harrell, Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) as Navigation Officer Andrea Fleytas, John Malkovich as BP Executive Donald Vidrine, and Kate Hudson as Williams’ wife Felicia.

As the movie opens, BP is about to take over the drilling process from rig owner Transocean, but BP is running overbudget and behind schedule, and Vidrine is trying to cut corners to make up for lost time and money. This includes a very important test to ensure the stability of the underwater concrete holding the drill in place, which has been skipped as our three heroes arrive on the rig. Ironically, Jimmy receives a safety award for consecutive months of no incidents, even though Williams has just rattled off a long list of items in desperate need of repair or maintenance. The movie takes its time to relay expository information, much of it in techno babble, to try and explain what is about to happen and why. One thing I found particularly interesting is how the movie used real names of people and companies involved in the accident, and didn’t resort to changing those names in fear of possible lawsuits. It is even more interesting, considering how the movie puts much of the blame on BP, and especially Donald Vidrine. Malkovich portrays him as an unlikable weasel, and if this wasn’t based on a true story, his character would have probably been killed off by falling debris. Wahlberg is the real hero of the piece, as we follow his attempts to get most everyone to safety. Russell is enjoyable as the expert who gives the warning signs that nearly everyone ignores. Deepwater Horizon is one of the better disaster movies to come out of Hollywood in recent years, but I would not recommend watching it just before bedtime.

Video: 4/5

3D Rating: NA

Lionsgate has released Deepwater Horizon on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD Blu-ray. Unfortunately, the studio only sent the Blu-ray/DVD combo for review. The 1080p transfer, compressed using the AVC codec, retains the films theatrical aspect ratio of 2.40:1, and provides an almost exceptional presentation. Colors are accurate and natural, never appearing over-saturated or washed out, especially flesh tones. Detail is also exceptional, displaying stubble growth on the lead actor’s faces and particles of grime and corrosion on the rig. Contrast is also very good, allowing for noticeable shadow detail in darker sequences with deep blacks that rarely crush and crisp whites that never clip. I did detect some banding issues, however, during some of the underwater sequences, that were mildly annoying.

Audio: 5/5

Deepwater Horizon has one of the best audio tracks on Blu-ray so far this year with a reference-quality Dolby Atmos (with Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core) track that will rattle your walls and give your sound system a great workout. Explosions and falling debris come at you from quite literally everywhere. LFE is used substantially during the latter half during the destruction of the oil rig, adding emphasis to explosions and grinding metal. With all of this happening, dialogue still comes through crystal clear. I would not be surprised if Deepwater Horizon receives, at the very least, nominations in the sound categories at this year’s Oscars.

Special Features: 4/5

Beyond the Horizon (1080p; 51:21): Individual interview segments with Mark Wahlberg, Kate Hudson, Kurt Russell, Gina Rodriguez, and Dylan O’Brien, viewable as one segment or individually.

Captain of the Rig: Peter Berg (1080p; 18:15): Berg discusses his process, with help from other members of the cast and crew.

The Fury of the Rig (1080p; 27:20): An in-depth look at building and shooting on the rig.

Deepwater Surveillance (1080p; 17:40): Small action cameras (such as Go-Pros) were installed on-set to obtain additional coverage, and that unused footage is presented here.

Participant Media Work Like an American (1080p): American Worker Tributes (16:03) takes a look at some of the actual workers from the tragedy, while I Am a Steel Beam (1:03) is a promotional piece about steel workers with narration by Peter Berg or Gina Rodriguez (you choose).

Also From Lionsgate (1080p): Trailers for Patriots Day, John Wick: Chapter 2, Hell or High Water, Hacksaw Ridge, and American Pastoral.

DVD Copy: the movie in 480p and Dolby Digital 5.1, trailers for Patriots Day, John Wick: Chapter 2, Hell or High Water, Hacksaw Ridge, and American Pastoral, plus the Bonus Features The Fury of the Rig, Deepwater Surveillance, and Work Like an American.

Digital HD Copy: An insert contains a code to redeem a digital copy through Ultraviolet partners or iTunes.

Deepwater Horizon VR: Not listed on the cover or included on an insert, users can go to the Google Play store or Apple App Store and download the app to view three sequences from the film in 360 degree VR with commentary.

Overall: 4/5

Some may find Deepwater Horizon too intense, but there is no denying that the film is an ear-ringing audio experience that will test the limits of your sound system.

Todd Erwin has been a reviewer at Home Theater Forum since 2008. His love of movies began as a young child, first showing Super 8 movies in his backyard during the summer to friends and neighbors at age 10. He also received his first movie camera that year, a hand-crank Wollensak 8mm with three fixed lenses. In 1980, he graduated to "talkies" with his award-winning short The Ape-Man, followed by the cult favorite The Adventures of Terrific Man two years later. Other films include Myth or Fact: The Talbert Terror and Warren's Revenge (which is currently being restored). In addition to movie reviews, Todd has written many articles for Home Theater Forum centering mostly on streaming as well as an occasional hardware review, is the host of his own video podcast Streaming News & Views on YouTube and is a frequent guest on the Home Theater United podcast.

Post Disclaimer

Some of our content may contain marketing links, which means we will receive a commission for purchases made via those links. In our editorial content, these affiliate links appear automatically, and our editorial teams are not influenced by our affiliate partnerships. We work with several providers (currently Skimlinks and Amazon) to manage our affiliate relationships. You can find out more about their services by visiting their sites.

Share this post:

View thread (3 replies)

TonyD

Who do we think I am?
Ambassador
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Dec 1, 1999
Messages
24,231
Location
Gulf Coast
Real Name
Tony D.
This movie is great.

Too bad the rental edition only has DD 5.1

Wish Redbox lusted audio specs on the listings.
 

gadgtfreek

Supporting Actor
Joined
Oct 13, 2014
Messages
856
Real Name
Jason
Lionsgate is notorious for stripping lossless from rentals to get on to a 25gb disc. Always keep that in mind with Lionsgate/Summit.
 

Johnny Angell

Played With Dinosaurs Member
Senior HTF Member
Deceased Member
Joined
Dec 13, 1998
Messages
14,905
Location
Central Arkansas
Real Name
Johnny Angell
Don't know if this is only happening to me. The Recent Articles column on the right is obscuring part of the review on the left. Enough is obscured to make it unreadable.

I'm using an iMac 27" Retina running Sierra.
 
Most Popular