Waterworld

1995 Action/Adventure

Widely considered to be an expensive failure, Waterworld was an epic vehicle for Kevin Costner, who starred in and co-produced the film, with his friend Kevin Reynolds as director. It was based on a 1986 screenplay by Peter Rader and cost an estimated $235 million, more than any film in history up to that time. Costner eventually fired Reynolds and directed the last few scenes himself. The story was filmed in Hawaii, using several artificial islands, and is set in an apocalyptic future, after global warming has melted the polar ice caps and flooded civilization. The Mariner (Costner) is one of the human beings who has adapted by growing gills. The survivalist lives on a boat on which he is growing a precious tomato plant. He tries to sell the plant and its dirt to the residents of an artificial island built of industrial waste. They imprison him when they discover that he's a mutant with gills. But the island is attacked by the Smokers, a group of oil-guzzling raiders on jet skis headed by the Deacon (Dennis Hopper). The Mariner escapes with Helen (Jeanne Tripplehorn) and her daughter Enola (Tina Majorino). Back at sea, the Smokers repeatedly attack, using planes and boats, until they kidnap Enola. Enola's back is tattooed with a map showing how to get to Dryland, the last unflooded area on Earth. But Deacon, who needs to get to Dryland to replenish the Smokers' oil supply, can't immediately decipher it. more..

Director: Kevin Reynolds

Starring: Kevin Costner, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tina Majorino,Dennis Hopper, Michael Jeter

Reviews

  • Costner's surfer-bum affectlessness works here; he turns the Mariner into the world's most jaded lifeguard.

    Owen Gleiberman - Entertainment Weekly

    11 May 2013

  • A two hour aquatic pursuit pic with bruising stunts, fun-to-watch performances, a dozen good chortles and imposing Panavision renderings of post-apocalyptic crud, Waterworld clearly has the makings of a cult movie.

    Mike Clark - USA Today

    11 May 2013

  • Waterworld is often entertaining because it's screwy. Could even Ed Wood Jr. have come up with those cigarette-puffing villains, in a world with hardly enough dirt for a tobacco plant?

    Michael Wilmington - The Chicago Tribune

    11 May 2013

  • Nowhere near the Hollywood disaster that was foretold, Waterworld is a near-model summer fantasy: two hours and 21 minutes of loud, expansive fun.

    Marc Savlov - Austin Chronicle

    11 May 2013

  • A decent futuristic action picture with some great sets, some intriguing ideas, and a few images that will stay with me.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    11 May 2013

Awards

  • Top Box Office Films

    ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards (1996)

  • Best Sound

    Academy Awards (1996)

     
  • Best Costumes

    Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (1996)

     
  • Best Achievement in Special Effects

    BAFTA Awards (1996)

     
  • Czech Lions (1996)