“Deepwater Horizon” is a solid, well-crafted, real-life action drama that simultaneously pays homage and provides a memorable, riveting film.

Director Peter Berg and his cast give us a film that shows true heroism and courage in the face of all odds.

Mark Wahlberg stars as Mike Williams, a crew member onboard the oil rig Deepwater Horizon. He has to say goodbye to his wife (Kate Hudson) and daughter for three weeks. Once he’s on the rig, a massive blowout and explosions occur causing damage and forcing the crew to evacuate. It also releases millions of gallons of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in the worst oil spill in American history.

Kurt Russell plays Wahlberg’s boss and John Malkovich costars as one of the executives of the BP corporation conducting an investigation on the rig. Their roles are strong and compelling and they add weight and dimension to the characters.

Once the explosions begin, the screen vibrates with some harrowing and astonishing action. Wahlberg doesn’t necessarily become a superhero by circumstance, but instead he chooses to act like a man, just looking out for the good of his crew.

Like their previous collaboration, “Lone Survivor,” Wahlberg and Berg showcase the issues and personalities of the dilemma in convincing, matter-of-fact detail. The characters are introduced and developed enough and then, once the disaster strikes, the drama becomes involving because we do care about these men and women.

“Deepwater Horizon” proves to be more than just an excuse for special effects and explosions; it give us a look at ordinary people in extraordinary situations, who are doing their best not only to survive, but to thrive.

Grade: B+

Rated PG-13 for prolonged intense disaster sequences and related disturbing images, and brief strong language.

Hall is a syndicated columnist in South Georgia.