Review of Waterworld (1995) by Michael V — 06 Nov 2011

This review is for the Extended Cut of the film.

I'll give any movie a second chance if a new version comes available. Especially when a film has history of fights between the director and studio. This time the fight was between Costner and director Kevin Reynolds. Which Reynolds quit saying "Kevin should only star in movies he directs. That way he can work with both his favorite actor and director." By comparing the theatrical cut and extended cut of this film you get something very different. The story is pretty much the same. But the world seems much bigger. You get a much better idea of their culture and their beliefs. You get a much better look at the smokers as well. Including a scene with Jack Black. Now I really do enjoy apocalypse movies. The human survival and how as a human race endure and become. This takes a very interesting approach by changing just the scenery. Most of them you see desert wastelands. This one does a wonderful job changing it all to the very other side of the spectrum of what if. And it shows in their lifestyle. Their cloths and weapons. What they use to build their homes. A lot of effort and detail went into shaping this. Waterworld has a lot going for it. It's everything an action/sci-fi movie should be. It made over 225 million in the box office. And this is ticket price admission 15 years ago. The action is almost entirely special effects and stunt-work and it's brilliantly done. The editing is also quite impressive as is the amazing sound design. Waterworld is far superior to many, more expensive action films but still carries this burden of negative, unfair public opinion. I'll watch this for the rest of my life if it means avoiding most of Michael Bay's films. Costner does well. Michael Jeter is a very fun actor to watch. Tripplehorn looks pretty but her talent as an actress has never held up. Not that she's bad. But it's a take her or leave her. And Hopper. Jesus. This is one of the best villain roles out there. He makes being a villain fun. I'd say the only other actor out there who can really do that that well is Gary Oldman. So in the end I say if you disliked this movie give it another chance. But fair warning. This version was first broadcasted on TV some many many years ago. So what you get with this is an edited for TV version. Being that the movie was PG-13 to begin with there wasn't much to change or cut. But this is the version you'll get on the DVD.