Review of The Poseidon Adventure (1972) by Keenan S — 12 Jul 2018

I had seen the 2006 remake, Poseidon, long before I saw the original film. While I had my fun with the remake, it was definitely more about special effects and disaster sequences than it was about story or character development.

While The Poseidon Adventure isn't exactly high art, it not only works as a terrific disaster film, but also a decently performed melodrama. The story is quite simple: during a New Year's party, the Poseidon is hit by a freak wave which capsizes the ship.

A small group of survivors band together to try and escape the ship by making their way to the stern to an area where the steel is only one-inch thick. Naturally, the journey there will be difficult, not just with the odds and elements stacked against them, but also conflicts with one another, and just trying to stay alive.

For a film that came out in 1972, The Poseidon Adventure still boasts impressive visual effects, and handles action sequences quite nicely. It's very intense and thrilling to watch when disaster strikes thanks to the finely crafted disaster sequences.

Not only that, but unlike the 2006 remake which was largely bereft of good acting performances (Minus Kurt Russell, of course. Because Kurt Russell is a badass motherfucker), the original film sports talent like Gene Hackman and Ernest Borgnine leading the way, along with other solid performers like Shelley Winters, Jack Albertson (Whom you may remember as Charlie's grandpa in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory), and more.

While the script by itself is hammy, it's thanks to these actors who allow the film to rise above it and make for a surprisingly decent melodrama. It's not award-winning by any measure, but they manage to make the drama work.

If you enjoy some old school disaster flicks, The Poseidon Adventure proves to be a very solid and enjoyable one at that.