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Waterworld
EMAILPRINTMCA / Universal Pictures
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 17 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 12 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Sci-fi
Written by:
Peter Rader
David Twohy
Directed by:
Kevin Reynolds
Kevin Costner
Release Date:
Theatrical: July 28, 1995
DVD: December 9, 1997
Running Time: 136 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: PG-13 for some intense scenes of action violence, brief nudity and language
Starring Kevin Costner, Chaim Girafi, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Dennis Hopper, Michael Jeter, and Tina Majorino
In the future, the polar ice caps have melted, covering the Earth with water. The Mariner (Costner), a mysterious drifter, attempts to elude the savage "Smokers" and escort Helen (Tripplehorn) and her daughter Enola (Majorino) to the legendary Dryland.
Also On Metacritic
FILM: Dances With Wolves Open Range The Postman
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington
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? [28 July 1995]
Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
Costner's surfer-bum affectlessness works here; he turns the Mariner into the world's most jaded lifeguard.
Read Full Review >USA Today Mike Clark
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.
Read Full Review >ReelViews James Berardinelli
The script doesn't do a great job with either the spiritual or the physical trek, but the spectacular action sequences occur with enough regularity that strong writing isn't necessary to keep Waterworld afloat.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Desson Thomson
If the story seems a little waterlogged, it's still big, loud, and fun to watch.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov
Nowhere near the Hollywood disaster that was foretold, Waterworld is a near-model summer fantasy: two hours and 21 minutes of loud, expansive fun.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
A decent futuristic action picture with some great sets, some intriguing ideas, and a few images that will stay with me.
Read Full Review >Variety Todd McCarthy
A not-bad futuristic actioner with three or four astounding sequences, an unusual hero, a nifty villain and less mythic and romantic resonance than might be desired.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)
Its mediocrity guarantees this lavish, soggy retread of futuristic Australian action classic "The Road Warrior" a place in the ranks of forgotten extravaganzas.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Rita Kempley
Waterworld isn't "Fishtar," but Kevin Costner's pricey, post-apocalyptic sloshbuckler isn't a seafaring classic either.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Elvis Mitchell
It lacks the coherent fantasy of truly enveloping science fiction, preferring to concentrate on flashy, isolated stunts that say more about expense than expertise. [28 July 1995]
San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle
It's really not bad... It's a genuine vault at greatness that misses the mark -- but survives.
Read Full Review >Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt
At least Dennis Hopper plays the bad guy with wildness and wit. Costner's stolid hero seems a washout by comparison.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
Though Waterworld has some haunting underwater visual moments, the film's impact is weakened by flat dialogue, an overemphasis on jokeyness and a plot that, despite all those screenwriters, does not satisfactorily hold together at any number of points.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum
This movie feels like it was made by a bank rather than a person.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 7.7 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
[Anonymous] gave it a7:
200 million went down the drain, but not completely, as this film isn't a total disaster. However, it sure doesn't satisfy like 200 million dollar entertainment. Production design is top notch, and combined with some good special FX and sets, the money is definetaly on the screen. However, the story's off, and that's probably why the film didn't gross. After a promising battle in the beginning, albeit a little silly, once they're adrift on the mariner's ship, the film drags, and they accomplish little, whinig about who owns what. The characters don't have any depth, they just do what they do. The smokers, you don't even know why they do what they do. Outside of finding dryland, there's little focus in the plot, and ultimately the parts don't quite add up to something a 200 million dollar budget should deliver. Decent entertainment, but people would likely flock to more satisfying movies in the genre.
groundfisher gave it a6:
This movie starts off well, establishing a unique world, and the roles people occupy, their concerns, desires, and fears. I hoped the movie would go on to explore the world and the people within it by following Costner and whatever he encounters and his apparent, constant struggle to make a life for himself. And to see what lives other people have carved out for themselves. Unfortunately, the movie dwindles into a bit of a love story and an action-hero movie. Costner isn't bad as a surly drifter. The bad guys are all comic book. I thought the movie had potential and is certainly better than its reputation.
Stoneblue gave it a9:
I thought it was better darn GOOD. I can't wait until the extended version is available on DVD. Like the Mad Max epics, it's a move I enjoy watching over & over again.
Pat C. gave it a 4:
Caution: This film contains Costner.
Yoon Min C. gave it a 6:
It tries to be Road Warrior on the highseas but the thin plot sinks under the movie's epic ambitions. Costner as fishman is lackluster but Dennis Hopper's villainous role is a true riot and almost saves the movie. The bratty kid's repartee with Costner and Hopper are priceless.
Steven C. gave it a 7:
A lot better than you've heard. A neat no-brainer movie; a little overlong, but it's ultimately saved by Hopper.
