What Went Wrong: Countdown to Catastrophe (2020)

Review Team

4/5

What Went Wrong: Countdown to Catastrophe is an incisive exploration of the failures that lead to catastrophic events. Directed by Paul Russell, the series presents a meticulous analysis of various disasters, using a blend of interviews, archival footage, and expert commentary. The pacing is general ... Show more >> What Went Wrong: Countdown to Catastrophe is an incisive exploration of the failures that lead to catastrophic events. Directed by Paul Russell, the series presents a meticulous analysis of various disasters, using a blend of interviews, archival footage, and expert commentary. The pacing is generally well-structured, allowing viewers to absorb the intricate details of each incident without feeling overwhelmed. The emotional weight of the narratives is palpable, highlighting the human cost behind these engineering blunders. While the series is informative, it occasionally lacks depth in character exploration, focusing more on events than individuals. Nevertheless, it serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of accountability in engineering practices. Overall, it is a compelling watch for those intrigued by the intersection of technology and human error. Show less

Editor Team

3/5

If you’re into documentaries that dissect disasters, What Went Wrong: Countdown to Catastrophe might just catch your eye. It’s got that classic formula: show the disaster, break down the mistakes, then leave you pondering the what-ifs. Paul Russell does a decent job directing, but sometimes it feels ... Show more >> If you’re into documentaries that dissect disasters, What Went Wrong: Countdown to Catastrophe might just catch your eye. It’s got that classic formula: show the disaster, break down the mistakes, then leave you pondering the what-ifs. Paul Russell does a decent job directing, but sometimes it feels like the series gets bogged down in technical jargon that might fly over the heads of casual viewers. Sure, it’s fascinating to see how things went so wrong, but a bit more focus on the human stories behind the tragedies would have added a much-needed emotional punch. The episodes are engaging enough, but I found myself wishing for a deeper dive into the personal impacts rather than just the engineering failures. It’s worth a watch if you have an interest in the subject, but don’t expect to be blown away. Show less