In trying to breathe life into too many characters, the screenplay transforms them all into thinly-drawn caricatures. In focusing on its feel-good, inspirational ending, it fails to make nearly 2 hours of hardship a worthwhile experience.
– James Berardinelli,
ReelViews,
13 Nov 2015
fresh:
"The 33" is exactly what you can expect or hope with this story: a tense and uplifting film that puts an unbelievable true story to celluloid.
– Katie Walsh,
The Playlist,
13 Nov 2015
rotten:
Mostly aims for easily mined deposits of nerves and heartstrings, rather than the more stubborn, more rewarding veins of character and soul.
– Matthew Lickona,
San Diego Reader,
13 Nov 2015
rotten:
If we could unearth these guys from their living tomb, how hard is it to find nonwhite actors to play real people? ... Miner story, major fail.
– Joshua Rothkopf,
Time Out,
13 Nov 2015
fresh:
You may never go down to your basement again without a headlamp and a 10-day food supply.