PIONEER is a retro-feel Norwegian thriller about deep sea diving, particularly the laying of a huge pipeline by a transnational American-owned company. The film has a small scale feel to it, no doubt necessitated by the low budget, so that most of the action consists of a group of men sitting around in a decompression chamber. That's not to say that the film isn't worthwhile, because in many respects it's engrossing and at times gripping.
Much of the production's strength comes from the casting of Aksel Hennie, something of a natural when it comes to thrillers having already made HEADHUNTERS and MAX MANUS: MAN OF WAR. This film isn't quite as good as those two, but Hennie is; he's brilliant, in fact. The story draws in the usual conspiracy angles involving imported American actors Wes Bentley and Stephen Lang in somewhat familiar roles, but the sense of tension is palpable and the story is low key but engaging. It's not the type of film that's going to set the world on fire, but it is worth a watch if you're looking for something other than slap-bang entertainment.
Much of the production's strength comes from the casting of Aksel Hennie, something of a natural when it comes to thrillers having already made HEADHUNTERS and MAX MANUS: MAN OF WAR. This film isn't quite as good as those two, but Hennie is; he's brilliant, in fact. The story draws in the usual conspiracy angles involving imported American actors Wes Bentley and Stephen Lang in somewhat familiar roles, but the sense of tension is palpable and the story is low key but engaging. It's not the type of film that's going to set the world on fire, but it is worth a watch if you're looking for something other than slap-bang entertainment.