Review of The Poseidon Adventure (1972) by Cameron J — 03 Jun 2011

As well-done and enjoyable as the film is, dazzling technical value with smarts doesn't make a film flawless. The character development feels somewhat forced and manipulative. Also, as we transition into someone else's development, it doesn't really feel fluid. Other flaws include some dragging and a bit of a cop-out ending. Real quick, I wanna talk about young Eric Shea. I hate kids enough as it is, much less when they're the epidemy of children stereotypes. Next to hoping that these people make it out, I was most hoping that the kid would fall off when he was scaling the Christmas tree to safety. It doesn't help that he makes Macaulay Culkin look like Jimmy Bennett as a child actor.

In spite of this, the film is still with some major strengths. The story is original and extremely compelling, backed-up by fine production value, a great score, emotional impact and tensity. Of course, what really carries a claustrophobia film is the acting. The performances haven't aged gracefully, but the actors do still manage to get across the mood that they are truly in danger of not only death, but plunging further into danger due to their disagreements. The emoting and mood they set really give us that suspenseful feel.

Of course, let's not forget how far ahead of its time it was. The cenimatography is truly remarkable and elaborate. The film is of high quality for its time and works with it well. It really makes the fine imagery and cenimatography really stand out. As for the effects, the simulation of the boat's wreck is so detailed and careful that it seemed very real and believable. These effects are truly impressive and have even aged rather gracefully.

To close my painfully forced long review: "The Poseidon Adventure" is an original, tense thrill ride that has earned its position as an icon for disaster filmmaking.