The 33 Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

An above-mediocre movie depicting the historic catastrophe of 2010. Good acting, for the most part adequate visuals; however, it lacks a good script. 

Genre: Biography / Drama / History

Director: Patricia Riggen

Cast: Antonio Banderas, Juliette Binoche, Rodrigo Santoro, Lou Diamond Phillips, Mario Casas, Juan Pablo Raba, Cote de Pablo, Kate del Castillo, Gabriel Byrne, Bob Gunton & James Brolin. 

Run Time: 127 min.

US Release: 13 November 2015

UK Release:  29 January 2016

German Release: 11 February 2016

Starring a wide array of Hispanic (and non-Hispanic) actors, The 33 retells the events of the 2010 mining disaster that saw thirty-three men trapped seven hundred meters beneath the ground in San José, Chile. This biopic is directed by Patricia Riggen, who was also in charge of the 2012 film Girl in Progress starring Eva Mendes and the 2011 Disney “made-for-TV movie” Lemonade Mouth. I just want to say right from the beginning that this movie was a huge disappointment that wasted grand potential.

Please be aware that since this is a movie about a recent historic event, it might contain spoilers. So if you did not follow the 2010 Chilean mine tragedy, don’t read on!

I remember following this catastrophe in the media, as if it were yesterday. The more absurd it feels that I was watching it on the big screen today! The media buzz this mining collapse created set a new record and was only due to the unexpected discovery that all 33 miners were alive. It took a further 52 days to elaborate a rescue mission to get all of the trapped men back out alive.

The Script is the weakest part of this bio-drama, as it feels like it was pencilled for television, not for the big screen. I also do not understand why it was filmed in English instead of Spanish, as it would have given the picture more credibility. While the movie contains some moving moments here and there, it lacks a much-needed emotional punch for the better part of it, which comes at the cost of captivating its audience and sharing the experience of the trapped miners with them.

My biggest issue with The 33, though, is that it focuses too much on the outside world, rather than the miners trapped inside the San José mine. Don’t get me wrong, showing the attempts to get these people out are just as vital, but there are segments concerning family members and government bodies that could have been exchanged with more moments inside the mines. As it stands, the movie takes place half the time in the mine and the other half outside of it, and it hurts the claustrophobic feeling it tries to bring across.

It also missed the opportunity to bring across the urgency plus anxiousness these characters should have felt once they are found, to get out and see their families and friends again.

It also contains aspects I really appreciated, such as the camaraderie between the men, as well as the emotions they share, once they are facing the imminent truth of death. There is a scene during a meagre meal they share, when each one pictures what they would like to eat, and I thought it was handled with care plus respect. The relationship between the siblings Dario and María is another interesting sub-plot that includes a heartbreaking past.

While most of the cast is doing fine, there are two or three major miscasts of actors. Leading the bunch of ill-casts is a spray-tanned Juliette Binoche, who plays the empanada-peddler Maria. I also did not understand why Bob Gunton (an actor with no Hispanic lineage) was cast as the Chilean president Sebastian Piñera. Having said that, it is clear that all actors are trying their best to give good renditions of their real-life counterparts.

My favourite performance in this movie by far is that of Antonio Banderas, who plays the experienced miner-turned leader Mario Sepúlveda. This guy is the sole reason why those trapped men did not eat each other alive; his speech about life, belief and endurance is a hell of a delivery that would have had me jumping up and down with excitement and respect. It surely isn’t Bandera’s best performance, but it is solid and possibly the best in this film.

Rodrigo Santoro makes another good rendition as Minister Laurence Golborne, even though his sappy look distracts a little bit from the movie. I am not sure how truthful his character is written, but in this drama he is the one determined to find the men (dead or alive), bound by a promise he gave to one of the miners' relatives.

While most of the cinematography is alright, I found that the scenes inside the mine shelter are depicted as too spacious. The audience never feels claustrophobic while watching these men trapped underneath a mountain; there seems to be no need to want to get out for a fresh breath of air or to see some light, and that hinders once again the audience from being able to grasp the life-threatening situation in which these men are situated. The effects are also really bad - by which I mean TV-movie quality! The collapse of the mine is depicted by obvious computer-generated imagery.

The best aspect of the movie is the music, composed by James Horner (who passed away last year, in June). It has a very South-American touch, featuring Spanish guitars and pan flutes. Granted, at times the more upbeat pan music does not fit the dramatic moments in the film, but it is nevertheless different to other films.

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Verdict: Overall, The 33 is an alright movie that wastes its potential. It is a big letdown for me personally, because I was hoping for a more claustrophobic and emotional picture that displays the fight for survival of these thirty-three men. Unfortunately, what we obtain is a story that focuses more on what is happening outside, rather than inside. The script is weak, and some of the actors do not fit the personas they were to represent. Antonio Banderas is by far the best thing about this movie, with the rest of the cast trying to give acceptable performances. The 33 could have been one of the better movies this year, but in the end it only gets a 6.0 out of 10.

Have you seen this biopic yet? If so, what do you think of it? Leave a comment below and let me know if you liked it or, like me, you were disappointed. I am really excited about Deadpool tomorrow and can’t wait to let you know what I thought of it, so look out for my review for it. As always, thank you very much for reading, and if you liked this review, please share it.