Producer Kevin Costner and director Kevin Reynolds (“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” 1991) have missed the mark of movie greatness with their film “Waterworld.” This ambitious project set on an Earth almost completely covered in water because of melting polar ice caps has some good scifi elements with numerous ridiculous and inane scenes and storylines.
“Waterworld” was the first major motion picture to be filmed almost entirely on water, and, as a result, suffered major cost overruns. Most of the filming took place on a man-made island off of the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, one-quarter mile in circumference, the largest floating set ever used in movie history. Lockheed helped out with the design and manufacturing of barges for the atoll to float on.
The performances were predictably weak. Kevin Costner (as the Mariner) and Dennis Hopper (as the Deacon) have limited ranges as actors anyway. The supporting cast includes Jack Black, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tina Majorino, Michael Jeter, Kim Coates, George Murphy, John Fleck, Robert Joy, and Robert Lasardo as Smitty. Another problem is that the actors are mouthing dialogue from a poorly written screenplay by Peter Rader and David Twohy.
“Waterworld” did well at the box office, but barely broke even due to the large budget and advertising expenses. It later made more money on DVD, and is a major theme park attraction for Universal Studios Hollywood, Japan, and Singapore. It was nominated for one Academy Award for Best Sound, but also got one win for the Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Supporting Actor for Dennis Hopper, and three more nods for Worst Picture, Worst Actor (Costner), and Worst Director.
Both good news and bad for the Gordon Company, Davis Entertainment, Licht/Mueller Film Corporation, and Universal Pictures.
Waterworld (1995)
cinema
My Review
Producer Kevin Costner and director Kevin Reynolds (“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” 1991) have missed the mark of movie greatness with their film “Waterworld.” This ambitious project set on an Earth almost completely covered in water because of melting polar ice caps has some good scifi elements with numerous ridiculous and inane scenes and storylines.
“Waterworld” was the first major motion picture to be filmed almost entirely on water, and, as a result, suffered major cost overruns. Most of the filming took place on a man-made island off of the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, one-quarter mile in circumference, the largest floating set ever used in movie history. Lockheed helped out with the design and manufacturing of barges for the atoll to float on.
The performances were predictably weak. Kevin Costner (as the Mariner) and Dennis Hopper (as the Deacon) have limited ranges as actors anyway. The supporting cast includes Jack Black, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tina Majorino, Michael Jeter, Kim Coates, George Murphy, John Fleck, Robert Joy, and Robert Lasardo as Smitty. Another problem is that the actors are mouthing dialogue from a poorly written screenplay by Peter Rader and David Twohy.
“Waterworld” did well at the box office, but barely broke even due to the large budget and advertising expenses. It later made more money on DVD, and is a major theme park attraction for Universal Studios Hollywood, Japan, and Singapore. It was nominated for one Academy Award for Best Sound, but also got one win for the Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Supporting Actor for Dennis Hopper, and three more nods for Worst Picture, Worst Actor (Costner), and Worst Director.
Both good news and bad for the Gordon Company, Davis Entertainment, Licht/Mueller Film Corporation, and Universal Pictures.