Today’s quick review: Waterworld. Years in the future, the melting polar ice caps have flooded the Earth and forced humanity’s few survivors to adapt to life on the planet’s endless oceans. A nameless mariner (Kevin Costner) gains a pair of unwelcome passengers when he saves Enola (Tina Majorino) and her guardian Helen (Jeanne Tripplehorn) from Deacon (Dennis Hopper), a ruthless pirate who believes that Enola holds the key to finding dry land.
Waterworld is a sci-fi adventure set on a flooded, post-apocalyptic Earth. The story follows a drifter with a boat and a pair of gills as he becomes embroiled in the search for dry land, long thought a myth. Waterworld features a creative setting, an adventurous tone, a serviceable plot, and decent dynamics between its characters. However, its uneven execution keeps it from being as thrilling, endearing, or memorable as it tries to be.
Waterworld gets the basics right. The setting is unique among post-apocalyptic fiction and gives the movie a solid foundation to build on. The premise and the details of the setting are far-fetched, but they also pave the way for some clever touches. The plot can be predictable in places, but the broad strokes fit the adventure genre well. The evolving relationship between the mariner, Helen, and Enola is also handled with reasonable skill.
Waterworld does have its rough spots, though. The gritty nature of the setting fits oddly with the film’s swashbuckling action and comical villains. In particular, Dennis Hopper turns in an energetic but distracting performance as Deacon, a pirate leader who operates out of a rusted oil tanker. The plot is prone to odd digressions and inconsistent logic. Finally, the lead trio can be somewhat grating as they butt heads with one another.
Taken with a grain of salt, Waterworld makes for a decent adventure with some unique qualities but mixed execution overall. Those willing to take its quirks in stride should give it a shot, as it has enough in the way of simple fun to be an entertaining watch. But those looking for a polished watch, a thoughtful story, or gripping action will want to steer clear. Waterworld is outclassed by other adventures, but not entirely without value.
For a sci-fi movie with a similar tone and more pronounced flaws, try Battlefield Earth. For a movie that makes similar use of Dennis Hopper and has a goofier tone, try Super Mario Bros. For a more serious take on a dystopian plotline, try The Book of Eli or Children of Men. For a swashbuckling adventure with similarly mixed execution, try Cutthroat Island. For a better balance of action, setting, and adventure, try Pirates of the Caribbean.
6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for a decent premise held back by a few questionable choices.