Waterworld
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In a futuristic world where the polar ice caps have melted and made Earth a liquid planet, a beautiful barmaid rescues a mutant seafarer from a floating island prison. They escape, along with her young charge, Enola, and sail off aboard his ship. But the trio soon becomes the target of a menacing pirate who covets the map to 'Dryland'—which is tattooed on Enola's back.
What critics thought
Contemporary reviews were mixed, with most critics acknowledging the film's spectacular world-building while questioning whether its ambitions were ever fully realized on screen. The most common fault lines were its pacing, derivative Mad Max comparisons, and a sense that the earnest spectacle never quite cohered into something worth the infamy it attracted. Time has softened the verdict somewhat, with later viewers more willing to embrace it as a watchable, B-movie cult oddity than contemporaries were.
“Although the storyline isn't all that invigorating, the action is, and that's what saves Waterworld. In the tradition of the old Westerns and Mel Gibson's Mad Max flicks, this film provides good escapist fun. Everyone behind the scenes did their part with aplomb, and the result is a feast for the eyes and ears.”
James Berardinelli·Reelviews Movie Reviews
“The cost controversy aside, Waterworld is a decent futuristic action picture with some great sets, some intriguing ideas, and a few images that will stay with me. It could have been more, it could have been better, and it could have made me care about the characters. It's one of those marginal pictures you're not unhappy to have seen, but can't quite recommend.”
Roger Ebert·The Chicago Sun-Times
“despite its confused impulses and occasional slow spots, Waterworld... has an elusive, appealing spirit that holds up for more than two hours. It's a genuine vault at greatness that misses the mark – but survives.”
Mick LaSalle·SFGate
Accolades
Genres
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Cast & Crew
Kevin ReynoldsDirector
Kevin CostnerMariner
Dennis HopperDeacon
Jeanne TripplehornHelen
Tina MajorinoEnola
R. D. CallEnforcer
Gerard MurphyNord
Michael JeterOld Gregor
Rick AvilesGatesman
Kim CoatesDrifter
Chaim JeraffiDrifter
Sab ShimonoElder
Zitto KazannElder / Survivor
James Newton HowardComposer
David TwohyWriter
Dean SemlerCinematographyWaterworld
In a futuristic world where the polar ice caps have melted and made Earth a liquid planet, a beautiful barmaid rescues a mutant seafarer from a floating island prison. They escape, along with her young charge, Enola, and sail off aboard his ship. But the trio soon becomes the target of a menacing pirate who covets the map to 'Dryland'—which is tattooed on Enola's back.
What critics thought
Contemporary reviews were mixed, with most critics acknowledging the film's spectacular world-building while questioning whether its ambitions were ever fully realized on screen. The most common fault lines were its pacing, derivative Mad Max comparisons, and a sense that the earnest spectacle never quite cohered into something worth the infamy it attracted. Time has softened the verdict somewhat, with later viewers more willing to embrace it as a watchable, B-movie cult oddity than contemporaries were.
“Although the storyline isn't all that invigorating, the action is, and that's what saves Waterworld. In the tradition of the old Westerns and Mel Gibson's Mad Max flicks, this film provides good escapist fun. Everyone behind the scenes did their part with aplomb, and the result is a feast for the eyes and ears.”
James Berardinelli·Reelviews Movie Reviews
“The cost controversy aside, Waterworld is a decent futuristic action picture with some great sets, some intriguing ideas, and a few images that will stay with me. It could have been more, it could have been better, and it could have made me care about the characters. It's one of those marginal pictures you're not unhappy to have seen, but can't quite recommend.”
Roger Ebert·The Chicago Sun-Times
“despite its confused impulses and occasional slow spots, Waterworld... has an elusive, appealing spirit that holds up for more than two hours. It's a genuine vault at greatness that misses the mark – but survives.”
Mick LaSalle·SFGate
Accolades
Genres
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Cast & Crew
Kevin ReynoldsDirectorKevin CostnerMarinerDennis HopperDeaconJeanne TripplehornHelenTina MajorinoEnolaR. D. CallEnforcerGerard MurphyNordMichael JeterOld GregorRick AvilesGatesmanKim CoatesDrifterChaim JeraffiDrifterSab ShimonoElderZitto KazannElder / SurvivorJames Newton HowardComposerDavid TwohyWriterDean SemlerCinematographyStream
Rent & Buy