Celluloid CrusaderWATERWORLD ~ What Was So Wrong With This Film?
March 24th 2008 22:14
To this day it remains permanently in the garbage tin of the general viewing public’s minds and yet to me, one of the best films ever made… perhaps too chilling in prophetic accuracy for people to stand?
Was the thought of all that water too hard to take, perhaps?
Nobody is saying for sure, and about the only thing I ever hear about this film is the ridiculous fact of how it ‘flopped at the box office,’ because it failed to take the statutory 3X the production cost formula. Phooey, so who said there was money in prophesy?
Apparently there is not, comes the now almost standard reply, because ‘…it blew the budget out by a few million – well quite a few million – somewhere in the vicinity of $231.5 million to be accurate, only grossing about $117 million in returns in the States and about 233 million overseas (which didn’t make up for the shortfall when adjusted to USD) blab la bla : so that must make it a bad film, right?
Surely that is only bad business?
The plot to Waterworld is simple enough. The time is someplace in the future – no accuracy needed here – and the worst case scenario has come to pass and the ice caps have melted and left a mutant band of good guys and bad guys to struggle for survival upon endless seas.
As with all cultures there is a myth, only this time it is of ‘land existing sonewhere’ although no one has seen it.. even the hero who sails the seas as a matter of survival. A – predictable failsafe format follows – reluctant hero has to shake off prejudice to overcome all the odds suddenly stacked against him. Enter a love interest to help shift his mindset, in this case played by a lovely tanned and trim Jeanne Tripplehorn, and a child of destiny in the gorgeous little cherub-faced Tina Majorino.
Of course, my love for this film is swayed a little by my particular fancy for Kevin Costner, no problems there, as to me he is very easy on the eye and his quiet unassuming manner always draws me towards his ‘strengths.’ But this film is more than that, both from an envronmental perspective, and in showcasing the indomitable human spirit through battling nature, giving hope in the 'feeble human condition' and that no matter what, love usually saves the day, like it or not.
Perhaps for the Envirowarrior within, too a little bias, as it was a bit of a visual and mental treat in the unique eco-friendly gadgetry and unsophisticated technology that had become a necessity to survive this harsh liquid world. The Mariners boat was a wonderful combination of engineering, requiring just the right blend of precision and physical skill to operate it, which naturally shows off a man to his best advantage in any setting.
Adding gills as they did, for an Ictio Sapien mutation was pure genius.
It progressed at a real-time speed that allowed me to sink into it, with long camera shots (almost as good as Master and Commander, but not quite)… however I was able to leave this world and join a world where Mad Max meets Marine Boy, and that IS entertainment.
The actual validity of people surviving as they did in the film, should the eventuality of the ice caps fully melt and cover the planet in water, was haunting. The chaos and anarchy very real as to how things would probably be played out given human nature as it stands on any given Monday morning.
To this day, I think this film bought a really well acted concept to the world, which remains superior to me and perhaps amongst the best of its kind in a highly visual way. Nothing will shake that, but I am curious because every time this one comes up in conversation, nobody else has anything good to say about it.
So, outside of a blown budget and it being a ‘box office flop’ I’m curious, what you didn’t like about this film?
Was it really that bad, or as I said chillingly accurate - perhaps as doomed as Atlantis itself?
I’ll be delighted of course, to hear from you if you thought it was as good as I do.
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Comment by Cibbuano
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I saw this years ago, and, actually, I remember liking it. It was ridiculous on some levels, and maybe now it'd be unwatchable.
Comment by Lilla
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You are officially the first person to have said that to me, OMG I don't know what to say now, it is so strange to hear it said. *laughs* and contraire my friend, I watch it again about every year or so.. again it didn't rely on huge CGI to make it happen, it just told the story in terms that (I still see today) as timeless.
Wonderful *smiling broadly here* someone actually liked it, other than me?!
Splendid... Oh and thank you so much for the compliment *blushing a bit now*
Lilla ...
Comment by Jason King
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This is one of my fave films. I own a copy on laserdisc and want to upgrade onto DVD with another copy.
Poor Kev - he gets so attacked with all his films but this one slammed him.
How can u beat Mad Max on a yacht???
Loved it and thanks!!!!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I've never seen this film as I pre-judged it based on two reasons, I don't like Kevin Costner and my closest friend said it was rubbish. So I never saw it and made my own mind up! Ah well
Glad you enjoyed it though, your review is compelling and has made me think...
Tracy
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
That being said, I still rank Waterworld over many more successful films like Tomb Raider, the Mummy, pirates of the carribean, Da Vinci Code etc
For me its Costner's Postman that was surprisingly under appreciated. Open Range was a masterpiece western though.
Comment by Lilla
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Your comment has left me in a wonderful place too and I am smiling again
Really pleased to hear it and I have to agree ... it rocks ((laughs)) at the 'Mad Max on a Yacht" image....
Way cool movie, and comment, thank you...
Lilla ...
Comment by Lilla
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That is a lovely compliment indeed, especially coming from you ... thank you. The fact is though, if Costner is not easy on your eye in any way, then I think you probably wouldn;t like this film, although as I say the concept is good... perhaps now you'll have to watch it to find out for sure?
It really is a Mad Max meets Marine Boy movie ... and *blessings* almost no CGI.
I'd be interested to know what you thought, if 'you do take the plunge?'
Lilla ...
Comment by Jason King
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I have been a massive Kev fan ever since Dances with Wolves and that MAD awesome film The Untouchables. Plus Bodyguard is my gushy tear jerking romance I just love. Unfortunately The Postman I thought was his worst film. At over 3hrs it seemed an formulaic attempt at trying to achieve the Waterworld story again (onland) and crossing it with his most successful film Dances......
But people of Orble, Join this Waterworld appreciation society and let Lilla know she is not alone!!
LOL
Comment by Jason King
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Once the set had been sunk they were being pressured to basically let the film go however Kev would not and has been bagged ever since.
Comment by Lilla
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oooo I have to agree that the Postman it is an awesome film, isn't it? ...another of my Costner favourites... ((laughs)) although with my bias I don't think there was one I didn't like, particularly his latest effort The Guardian (which, for me, redeemed Kucher as having any acting ability at all) ... and for me, Costner remains the very best Robin Hood (and that film the best Robin Hood adaption) that there ever was (especially with Freeman as the Moor - pure genius) ... but I'm digressing.
I can see your point of view of the 'lack of hype' here in Waterworld. However, for me the 'laziness' seemed a natural consequence of what years and years of endless floating on the sea would do to a land-based bi-ped species... only adding to the 'effect' of aimlessness...
I have not seen (was not aware) of Open Range, but heartily thank you for the recommendation... I wasn't too impressed with Wyatt Erp.
Thanks for stopping by.
Lilla ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I will definitely pop back if I see it...
Have a lovely day,
Tracy
Comment by Lilla
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My first question would be why?
I am begininng to think you may be right here? Which is terrific news. Perhaps reminders of a time gone by, rather than one to come? .food for thought, I for one, am thrilled that he pushed it forward regardless of the setbacks ... as I said, I watch it nearly once a year.
Whoa, I didn't know about the typhoon Jason, that is almost spooky when you consider the concept of the film ... thanks for the info.
As a fellow fan, you would be as interested as me to discover that Kevin was at sea again recently, this time with Ashton Kucher in another really, really good film called The Guardian... I hope you get to see it soon, if you haven't already.
Lilla ...
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Comment by Jason King
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I saw the Guardian and LOVED IT - but I did cringe at the ending - with him "still out there" and now a mythical creature that saves people. LOL
But it was fun and Ashton rocks!
Comment by Lilla
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... glad you got to see it, glad you liked it.
Better late than never!
Comment by Lilla
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