Waterworld *** (1995, Kevin Costner, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Dennis Hopper, Tina Majorino) – Classic Movie Review 2544

Kevin Costner comes a cropper as the Mariner, a gilled ocean-sailor in director Kevin Reynolds’s ambitious but waterlogged 1995 futuristic action-adventure sea-saga. It is set after the polar ice caps have melted, covering the world with water, but a few human survivors are clinging to a huge seaborne township, a floating scrap-metal island.

Though no Errol Flynn, Costner makes a more than adequate, athletic hero, but Dennis Hopper has the best time as the splendidly over-the-top, lip-smacking baddie, the Deacon, the leader of the evil Smokers (you know they’re truly bad because they still like cigarettes!).

The derivative and serviceable rather than inspired plot (based on the novel by David Brin) involves the Mariner leading the fight against the Smokers, surviving an attack on the island, with the help of Jeanne Tripplehorn and her daughter Tina Majorino, and setting out with them to find the longed-for mythical Dryland.

However, for all its deficiencies, at least it remains entertaining and is a darned sight better than its successor, The Postman (1997).

Also in the cast are Michael Jeter, Gerard Murphy, R D Call, Kim Coates, John Fleck, Robert Joy, Jack Black, Zakes Mokae, Willy Petrovic, Jack Kehler, Leonard Cimino, Rick Aviles and David Finnegan.

Reputedly Costner ordered more hair to be computer-graphicised on his head after his fine, fair hair looked too thin when wet.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2544

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