What's Wrong with Waterworld?

Waterworld is classified as an action/science fiction movie which was released in 1995 by Universal Pictures with a budgeted cost of $100 million. This however escalated up to $175 million which was unheard of at the time. There were many setbacks which added to the cost of production like Hurricane weather which collapsed a set worth a million dollars. With a box office take of only $88 million Waterworld was tagged a bomb. However overseas sales along with VHS and DVD sales allowed the movie to recoup some of its loses.

Waterworld revolves around the life of the Mariner played by Kevin Costner, a mutated human with gills and webbed feet, who travels the water covered world in a trimaran simply existing and avoiding human contact when at all possible. In the distant future global warming has melted the ice caps forcing humans to live on artificially constructed atolls where they must "recycle" the dead as part of their food supply.

Humans are becoming extinct due to inbreeding and when the Mariner is forced to visit one particular atoll the "Elders" of the tribe request he procreate with a young girl to broaden their genetic pool. When the Mariner declines the elders are suspicious and try to force him to stay. A struggle ensues thereby revealing his mutant status. The atollers fearing the mutation decide to "recycle" him.

During the recycling process the atoll is attacked by smokers, a band of pirates lead by the Deacon, played by Dennis Hopper. Living on an oil tanker, these pirates take what they want when they want it. The Deacon comes across information pointing to a young girl who lives on this atoll and who may have the clue that leads them to the mythical Dryland.

Aside from Hopper's over the top portrayal of Deacon all the actors provided believable performances. The story was well written and the scenes are visually stunning. If you judge Waterworld based on entertainment value alone I think it did a great job. As always you'll have to decide for yourself.

Kevin Costner - The Mariner
Dennis Hopper - The Deacon
Jeanne Tripplehorn - Helen
Tina Majorino - Enola
Michael Jeter - Gregor