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Waterworld
MCA / Universal Pictures


7.1

based on 17 reviews
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How did we calculate this?

based on 9 votes
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FILM:

Internet Movie Database

MPAA 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.

GENRE(S):	Sci-fi
WRITTEN BY:	Peter Rader David Twohy
DIRECTED BY:	Kevin Reynolds Kevin Costner
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: December 9, 1997 Video: January 23, 1996 Theatrical: July 28, 1995
RUNNING TIME:	136 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

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...

Newsweek David Ansen

A pretty damn good summer movie.

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.

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.

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.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

If the story seems a little waterlogged, it's still big, loud, and fun to watch.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Washington Post Rita Kempley

Waterworld isn't "Fishtar," but Kevin Costner's pricey, post-apocalyptic sloshbuckler isn't a seafaring classic either.

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.

San Francisco Examiner Barbara Shulgasser

Sublimely ridiculous.

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.

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.

Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

This movie feels like it was made by a bank rather than a person.

The average user rating for this movie is 7.1 (out of 10) based on 9 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.

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Waterworld MCA / Universal Pictures

Waterworld
MCA / Universal Pictures