WATERWORLD (1995) Retrospective / Review

[@mittarv1162]

Never understood the hate this movie got. I love it its a classic.

[@acsexpress5109]

I liked Waterworld, it's no "classic" though. Its inspirations are, namely Max Max and The Road Warrior. What Oliver Harper does with this review is identify clearly what the film's flaws are, while propping up what worked best. Many potential fans were probably turned off by negative reviews by critics. Notoriety was spurned well before release by a huge set piece being lost to a seastorm, ballooning the film's costs.

[@thewhitepanther6052]

As a kid i loved this movie. Got older and still has a special place in my heart.

[@Tax_Master_DFW]

I love the scene where the little girl while captured describes how the Kevin Costner character is coming to rescue her and what he will to do to her captors. It reminds me of a similar scene in the movie “The Professional”.

[@EarJuice]

I don't get all the bashing. I've always liked this movie.

[@lovecchio420]

I couldn't make it through 2 min of the trailer let alone the entire movie.

[@matthewhudson7883]

I never thought it was a bad movie either. It wasn't great but it was good in its own way. When I rented it in the early naughties I felt I got my money's worth.

[@manyfails]

for what it is , its perfect but just porly produced and managed but the end is a great Movie thats to good for a B movie but to bad to be a Blockbuster

[@matthewhudson7883]

manyfails - Hollywood just needs to stop trying to turn regular movies into blockbusters and just let them be good movies on their own.

[@dorjedriftwood2731]

Not completely unwatchable

[@Lobos222]

One of the few movies I watched twice at the cinema... On the first row, middle seat, at one of the largest screens in Europe with THE best sound system at the time. The movie was really fun when you literally had to turn your head from left to right to see the scooters zip by.

[@Zidana123]

Everyone loves to shit on this movie, but I liked it.

[@ksenomorf333]

not everyone

[@s0nnyburnett]

I really like waterworld. I don't understand the wall of hate it gets.

[@UniteForgetLeftRight]

+s0nnyburnett Its just soooo ridiculous, where did those people get all their stuff is there is no dry land? Especially the cigarettes and gasoline, its just preposterous beyond suspension of disbelief.

[@cubanjr2]

+s0nnyburnett I like this movie alot, but it really is pretty bad. Its super forgettable and kinda dragged out. Just feels like a lot of wasted potential....like most Costner films.

[@Eelco_de_Boer]

+AttentionJunkie The gasoline is explained, the problem with the stuff and the time progressed from the disaster might be considered a plothole but he, it's SF. Furthermore it's a comedic actionmovie, with an awkward hero (allthough played badly, it's a refreshing protagonist), a great antagonist (Hopper is very enjoyable), a decent (and personally i think a hot) `love'-interest, some great jokes and some fantastic visuals. I think that when you are open for it you might enjoy this movie very much, but if you are a stickler to details (or rechewing other people's views) you probably hate it.

[@thefrenchbastard1646]

+AttentionJunkie is it really needed to explain the tipe of boat the smokers use as base is? is it not obvious enouf?

[@Tigerfire75]

I want to know if Al Gore is remaking it for his second movie on global warming/ climate change.

[@retrograveproductions4175]

I personally LOVE this film and remember fondly watching it in theatres. Here is a film I believe if it were an anime would be a real classic loved by all. This film is truly amazing considering what it tried to achieve

[@jonadams5547]

His boat and the ingenuity of his modifications were always a favorite for me.

[@sarkastikleader4708]

I remember seeing this in theaters and I loved it and still do. I’ve always felt this film was underrated. I’m not even a fan of swashbuckling films but the mixture of that genres and a Mad Max post-apocalyptic-ish type setting sold me.

[@StoredMars]

I love Waterworld. I don't have any problem with Kevin Costner's character, and I think the story is great. I like how there's not much lore, because it makes everything a mystery. Maybe I'm kind of biased, because I watched it with my dad when I was little, when it came on TV (along with the Mad Max movies, and Postman. My dad really loved those post-Apocalyptic movies). So, I might just like it for nostalgia, and the wonder I had for it when I was a young child.

[@wh3nderson95]

I can understand that. Back when I was a kid of 3-9 I grew up on violent action movies. RoboCop, Aliens, Predator, Terminator, Lethal Weapon and basically most other stuff. So nowaways, I have a bit of a based expectation of action movies. I think RoboCop is the staple to how a good action and drama movie should be. Nowadays, action movies seem to only make a character unlikeable as possible and attractive. I liked the heroes that have issues but still have an effort to make the movie enjoyable. But that's just me. I remember watching Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and John Woo films with my dad. Not so much the karate movies but more of the hard hand to hand combat. I thought The Raid Redemption was a nice call back to action movies. Sorry for rambling but I never get to talk about movies like this to people.

[@blackenedwritings]

I've seen it in the cinema back then. By no means a masterpiece but well worth a watch on a lazy sunday afternoon.

[@truthseeker3503]

This film is absolutely brilliant and think Costner delivers a very powerful, strong performance

[@OliverHarper]

Awesome!. I totally forgot about that Simpsons clip. Great satire on the films huge budget.

[@martiniusafricanus1558]

Watery version of Mad Max. I love it though! :D

[@OliverHarper]

Thanks buddy!. A new review will be online 1st October to celebrate the horror season and also its my 80th retrospective!.

[@willemverheij3412]

It's a good example of good ideas being wasted. The concept is great, but if half the movie is about three people on a raft pretty much, then those people need to be interesting enough to carry the movie. Hitchcock's Lifeboat is a good example perhaps, that entire movie takes place in a lifeboat and remains interesting all the way through.

[@boxcarhobo7017]

Waterworld was a baptism by fire, with the floodgates opened for critics to ignite a bonfire of controversy and bad buzz, but during that sea of negativity, the film production burned the midnight oil, still dedicated to getting the end result to the Promised Land even as the media had painted it as Paradise Lost, yet despite the press's attempts to work overtime to deep six the filmmaking endeavor, the cast and crew kept their heads above water; determined to make this a cinematic watershed moment and not drown in tarnished legacies, come hell or high water ....

[@OliverHarper]

The Warriors is a classic and needs to be done. With Star Wars. I love the original trilogy and to be honest so much as been said about those films from great DVD special features, books and mountains of reviews online, Its hard for me to offer something new to the table. If I had to do one I may cover Return of the Jedi or even the Ewok TV movies. Thanks for the feedback and support.

[@SimonAshworthWood]

How about the Star Wars Christmas Special? 😅

[@azbacnikorange]

Please do a review of The Postman.

[@azbacnikorange]

+Spinal_Tap 1111 I wish. It would certainly help my financial problems.

[@Raysboss302]

Indeed. Water world and the Postman are always related in my mind.

[@danielwilliamson6180]

The Postman is one of my favourite movies. I got Costner's autograph because of it.

[@FullMetalRedfield]

There´s a ridiculously cool story behind the ship they are on, and the camera shot at the captains portrait is not a coincidence either. Check the story behind Exxon Valdez and what lead to it´s sinking. The story is hilarious, in a tragic kind of way

[@brendonford3838]

The score for this movie is good but I feel like it's in the wrong movie. Waterworld is like Mad Max in the ocean, but the score makes it sound more like a live-action Peter Pan and completely pulls me out of the movie nearly every time it shows up.

[@adrianschagerl4486]

I think that's a sign that shows that the film takes itsself much too seriously. The Script is sooo goofy, and the score would've fit perfectly, but thanks to the director, the film thinks it's Mad Max on sea. This makes the film quite funny (in an it's so bad it's good way), but just as you said, the score doesn't fit now, but that's not James Newton Howards fault.

[@moonasha]

I love this movie. If you can, you should watch the "Ulysses cut", which you can get from torrent sites (but only if you already own the movie so you're not stealing). It's basically the full extended edition that was never made, that explains the story much better.

[@CyrusOfNaias]

Jack Wagon He hasn't taught anyone how to steal movies. He made a statement. Now, if he linked to a torrent site including a copy of the film, I would have protested. But your Ad Hominem attacks are not warranted nor appreciated.

[@moonasha]

***** what I thought was funny is he has a playlist called 'pain' which is a collection of people getting injured or maimed. Quite a 'gifted' person- forcing his opinion of movies onto other people, enjoying other people's injuries, and misinterpreting youtube comments :P

[@moonasha]

***** oh and I should add that the mentioned Ulysses cut of the movie is unobtainable through legal channels; a bunch of the deleted scenes were shown on television and aren't available anymore, or compiled alongside other deleted scenes. Hence why I said 'pay for it' first :/

[@CyrusOfNaias]

Jack Wagon Uh... lol

[@moonasha]

...yup. lol

[@markdurrant7107]

5:19 the narrator said that the main character was only known as "the marina" (meaning harbour for boats" but his correct character name was "the mariner (meaning seaman),

[@brendanward2991]

He says "mariner" - he just mispronounces it. Edit: actually, you may be right. I know the English have a habit of dropping their r's, but he does seem to be saying "marina". (His pronunciation of "atollers" sounds very close to A-holers, which is kind of appropriate.)

[@rameyzamora1018]

@Főfasírozó I checked as many sources as I could find online - "mariner" is pronounced "MAR in er" and not "ma REEN uh" as Oliver says it. Why he mispronounces this word is not clear. I thought it might be something like "trachea" which is pronounced "TRAY kee uh" in America and "tray KEE uh" in the UK but nope.

[@continentalquilt7801]

@@rameyzamora1018 As someone from the UK (from quite close to where Oliver is from), I can tell you that you are correct. We would pronounce it 'mar-in-er' (mariner), not 'ma-reen -uh' (Marina).

[@filanfyretracker]

A dating point of humor in the movie is the tanker used by the smokers, Exxon Valdez. In 1995 it was still famous for its "incident" involving a spill.

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

Can't wait for the inevitable Postman review.

[@rocknrollkid90]

Arrow Video has just released a special, limited, Blu-ray release of, “Waterworld,” with 3 cuts of the film. This set contains poster cards and a fold-up poster.

[@rocknrollkid90]

Also, a little book, about the film’s history and it’s publicity.

[@lernenderzukunft]

The postman would make a nice retrospective 😀

[@ludlowryder8803]

Waterworld is a fun film with a great score. Thankfully the two Kevin's are working together again.

[@asmodeusdan]

I love this movie, and I don't understand why people dislike it (like Jim Carrey's character summed it up in CableGuy hehe) Keep up the good work Oliver!

[@Pretermit_Sound]

The arcade version of the video game for Waterworld was incredibly expensive as well. Cost 40 quarters to play, and that was only for the character to advance one step forward. 😉

[@LinkMarioSamus]

Seeing Dennis Hopper here makes me want a video on Speed.

[@PatTheBatmanFan]

Seeing Dennis Hopper makes me want to do speed.

[@jayanxiety]

I agree with your review! It always bothered me that Waterworld gets lumped in with box office bombs like Ishtar, Heaven's Gate, Cut Throat Island and Costner's own, The Postman. It became an amusement park ride for god sakes! It pretty much broke even when all was said and done, not counting video rentals/sales which was still a hot market back then.

[@thealaskan1635]

Anxiety Entertainment Please don't knock Heavens Gate. I think it was underrated

[@mantauromanatardo1125]

I think the character portrayed by Kevin Costner has a reason to be like that.He is basically treated like a monster so it's understandable he is pretty jaded towards everyone.

[@jeffthompson9622]

Also do to his mostly solitary existence he is probably out of the habit of expressing himself.

[@tonychai5147]

The editing at the end is simply breathtaking

[@edcampion3998]

you just signed a contract with the 4th largest youtube network.congrats olly someone finally got sense.great job on waterworld .maybe now your great work will finally reach the audience figures it deserves.

[@protaeya]

I'm sorta "meh" with the movie itself but that Live action show over at Universal Studios is amazing and worth the wait at lines.

[@JackyWacky-871]

This is pretty much mad max on water and I love it

[@Dream0Asylum]

I submit for your consideration, Olly, an '80s gem called Silverado. Probably the only film I've ever seen where Kevin Costner actually acts like somebody other than Kevin Costner only 10% more or less grumpy.

[@OliverHarper]

Thanks buddy, always best to go in with a open mind and positive attitude and obviously try and be fair. :)

[@SimonAshworthWood]

There was no single “summer of 1995”. Please remember that seasons are different in the Southern Hemisphere where some of us live.

[@Saemundr]

I get it, I get why people dont like it, the improbability of most of it (how do the smokers have enough gas to power thirty skidos for extended hunting periods? (I mean, if this was a reality where we just continued to use fossil fuels until the ice-caps melted, how could they possibly still have enough for cross-ocean hunting?) Based on the size of their limited cities how could they maintain enough diverse food? Also based on the extremely small size of their cities, how could they maintain a genetically enough diverse population? How do they collect, and maintain, a supply of toxic waste to destroy their messiahs? Most mountains high enough to be above the eventual water lever would be completely devoid of most life, so why are they verdant edens? With most plantlife eventually consumed by water, how could sea plankton maintain enough oxygen for a people raised at an altitude, that would already make it harder to breathe, survive? In a civilization where people are constantly exposed to the sun, why are there so many pale white people? Why hasn't everyone been bleached blonde by the sun? Also, why were they maintaining a pool of toxic waste in the first place? Was that a religious thing, or just completely about destroying people who would make your lives a million times better?). But all the stupid stuff aside, it was an interesting ride.

[@jeffpadilla9891]

It always reminds me of Mad Max 2.

[@darrenrenna]

Good piece of trivia that the film actually made money--never knew that

[@Eric-lx8hp]

Ns considering it was the first $200 million movie

[@OliverHarper]

Untouchables, Field of Dreams and JFK?. :)

[@abeschreier]

really like your channel and review style Oliver

[@at3479]

Great review, Oliver. I stil enjoy this and The Postman a lot despite what the critics say. Maybe it's because I grew up with Costner's films but i don't these films are as bad as they say they are. The extended version is very long but for the most part I am able to get thru the film and still enjoy it for what it was. It's funny that this caused the director and Costner to end their friendship but that they were able to resolve their differences for Hatfields & McCoys. Great job, Oliver.

[@OliverHarper]

Thanks a lot buddy. Means a lot. :)

[@Hannibal953able]

Did they not learn the lessons of Jaws that filming on the waves is incredibly difficult to pull off! Christ Jaws was a nightmare just trying to get Bruce to function properly.

[@OliverHarper]

I've never seen The Postman but I will consider it for a future review.

[@jeffthompson9622]

It's been a long time since I read the original story(maybe by David Brin), but I enjoyed both the print and screen versions of The Postman.

[@dekster14LP]

The main "downside" with this movie is that the bad guys aren't serious enough. Apart from that I enjoyed this movie and find it rewatchable.

[@kidnothing5826]

Man you NEED to do one for the Costner movie, The Postman

[@larryking7255]

Great take on Waterworld Oliver, I was never a huge fan but I liked the Aquaman/Mad Max feel to the movie, it could have been better than that, but these are the breaks. Keep up the great work!

[@andyelliott5084]

"Waterworld was produced with the largest budget to date" WHAT ! I know you made this video in 2013 but even then the highest budget movie was 2011's Pirates of the Caribbean - On Stranger Tides at $379 M. Waterworld only held the title of biggest budget movie for 2 years until Titanic was made in 1997 for a budget of $200 M.

[@humbertocroce1424]

Damn, 379 million, you're kidding right? Damn, but still could have been worse, Johnny Depp could have played Jack Sparrow... I mean Cpt. Jack Sparrow bland and kind of like the mad hatter, damn he did play him like that, haha

[@OliverHarper]

Mad Max 2 is only an hour and half and has a simple story but is so full of energy and gives you a nice prologue to set the backstory unlike Waterworld.

[@Dd8505]

Wonderful editing again Oliver...special stuff.

[@udasu]

Olly, great work as usual, and thanks for it. Your final montages are really getting better..

[@Kdotkon]

I love this movie. I remember seeing it as a teen in the 90s and buying the soundtrack, which I still have today.

[@davidfrederick1971]

Im not sure if I have regular version of film or extended but never saw/realized the land discovered turns out to be Mt. Everest. That does make sense

[@wysiwyg2006]

One of my all time favourite 90s movies. Adore it. Really adore the soundtrack too.

[@PJVids83]

Your action-packed opening helps me remember what it is I love so much about this flick. Loads of action and unique visuals, and Hopper isn't bad either as the manic villain, Deacon.

[@ingeclaeys3761]

Just saw the Ulysses cut. I've always loved this movie, the longer version makes it even better. I don't understand the hate this movie receives. Yes, it has some flaws but overall a great movie. Costner's character isn't dull at all. He's a hermit, he has spend the majority of his life alone, so yes, his character is "unlikeable" but lets face it, he's cool AF. You can see him slowly warming and opening up (even a bit against his will) when Helen and Enola are kind of pushed in his life. Hopper's character is a result from generations of not enough DNA mixing (something mentioned also at the Atol) and therefore a bit loopy. This movie deserves far more credit.

[@Welther47]

I always thought it was a good try to start a trilogy.

[@dragondaveltd1992]

There is one funny scene from Waterworld is where the old man who spend most of his life guarding the tank of oil, until the flare drops to the oil and he replys: "Oh Thank God" Now you had to admit, that was hilarious...

[@chasehedges6775]

😂😂LOL

[@chasehedges6775]

That was COMEDY GOLD!

[@kalsolarUK]

Great as always - You done No Escape? Would be interested to see your opinion on that.

[@alexandredion2151]

Great review Oliver ! While it doesn't have the most orignal story (it really is Mad Max on water as you said), it has amazing production values with great sets, sountrack and cast. I love Mr. Costner's performance and it's a shame we don't see Jeanne Tripplehorn in movies anymore (she was great in this one and Basic Instinct). The only problem I have with this film is its length ; everytime I watch it I get kind of bored after an hr and a half. A reduced cut version would be much more enjoyable, which is something quite rare I believe.

[@HoustonSoto]

Terrific review! I was always a fan of this film, and I agree, it's main flaws are in the lack of a meaty story, and the length. They needed a couple of scenes, at least, to let us get to know the characters. It feels, too often, like Star Trek The Motion Picture (though far better), where it's a LOT of showing off, with little behind the spectacle. I think, had the film come out in the early 2000's, Russell Crowe would have nailed the part of the Mariner.

[@FireTiger941]

The Director's Cut of Waterworld made this film phenomenal, much like the Director's Cut of Alien 3 was incredibly better. Both underrated films, that excel with Director's Cut versions :)

[@OliverHarper]

Russell Crowe?. Good choice mate.

[@Raysboss302]

Highly Original story, good acting, beautiful shot.. I never got the criticism

[@Rendezman562]

Another great review sir!!, any plans on doing one on another one of my personal faves from mr. costner???.....THE POSTMAN??

[@OliverHarper]

The Postman is a good choice! It will definitely happen in future.

[@Rendezman562]

Oliver Harper yessssss!! Cant wait!!

[@SpyanLord]

Thanks to remind me the existence of "SWIMMING", a magnificient track by JNH. Last time I heard that, I was 13 years old. And it really sounded awesome and still does.

[@chasehedges6775]

The soundtrack is just beautiful

[@stewmurray47]

Another fantastic retrospective Ollie!! Sorry I've not been commenting in a while, been really busy. Just caught up watching this and listened to the Last Action Hero Commentary this morning. Hilarious. This movie always gets a bad rap but I remember finding it quite enjoyable at the time. I especially loved the deep dive sequence. Thanks for sharing.

[@mikevalenzuela3974]

James Newton Howard was also hired to score Kin Kong at the last minute and that is a great score too

[@forcedadventure]

EXCELLENT REVIEW - ALL THE BEST !!!

[@diamondsnake1273]

It's Al Gore's favorite movie

[@OliverHarper]

Yes!. Good post.

[@connorbrennan4233]

To me, this is 85% of Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, but with poor screenwriting.

[@scottmantooth8785]

wonder if this movie was written while in a hot tub...don't get me wrong, i liked waterworld for the most part while it could have been better i enjoyed the suspension of disbelief while it lasted

[@ConcreteSurfer420]

Best reviews on the net!!! Thanks Olly!

[@OliverHarper]

Its called Naked Prey. It was actually used in the original trailer.

[@rorymoore3992]

Does the extended edition come in Blu Ray?

[@neondemon7617]

Yes

[@aevangel1]

Good movie, Great soundtrack!

[@MrHootiedean]

Another great review! I saw this in theaters as a teenager and me and my friends almost walked out we were so bored.

[@evertonporter7887]

I actually fell asleep midway through it.

[@bobbatcher6021]

The ship used by the smokers wasn't just any oil tanker, it was a rusted out version of the Exxon Valdez. In real life, the Valdez ran aground in the '80s, causing the worst man-made environmental disaster in history (up to that point).

[@thetruth7633]

5:55 the collective hate against “those who are different” is a flashback to medieval times where oddly people where targeted as witch, sorcerer or even devil worshipers. Not that the people are different nowadays, those with opinions, other than mainstream, are targeted by collective bravery

[@OliverHarper]

Thanks buddy. I did just sign a contract with the 4th largest KZbin network.

[@Champion2D]

I saw this film at the cinema and I remember enjoying it quite a bit. It's not been a movie I've wanted to own at home as I never bought a copy at anytime but I still like to watch it when it's on tv. The film didn't deserve the bashing it got and I think it has aged well but it's certainly not great by any means.

[@James-Ram]

The Simpsons showed a Waterworld arcade game where it took 40 quarters... and yet you can only take one step and it's Game Over /watch?v=TFCd9ylpNgk

[@thealaskan1635]

In my opinion Kevin Costner was treated unfairly for this movie(by the powers that be) because he made500 Nations which REALLY showed how unfairly the Native Americans by the white man even to this day. He started this movie shortly after and there was negative press on this movie even while they were still filming. When I saw it I couldn't understand why they said it was a bomb because I didn't think it was that bad

[@Edax_Royeaux]

I think Mad Max Fury Road shows that a post-Apocalypse doesn't need everything to look so dull and drab.

[@Edax_Royeaux]

***** Why girl?

[@benjaminlivingston9706]

The cinematographer for Waterworld, Dean Semler, was the same person who did the cinematography for The Road Warrior and Beyond Thunderdome. The Mad Max comparisons are no coincidence as I think that's the style that Kevin Reynolds was going for.

[@Mviews-hb4ib]

missed all that. i can refresh page and rewatch

[@EricRyder2012]

Hello, Oliver! Great review on the movie "Waterworld". I agree that the public's bashing of this movie was very unjustified. it didn't deserve to be bashed because of the big budget and the harsh treatment from the critics. I personally thought it was shameful that was a flop. But still, I didn't really enjoy it very much myself. There was very poor character development and the script seemed very awkward. it didn't know if it wanted to be a serious drama with high-profile action scenes or a family adventure which would've been better if was amore light-hearted children's adventure. Kevin Costner lacks the panache as the leading protagonist, Dennis Hopper is too campy in his role as the villain. But I praise Jeanne Tripplehorn for her performance as the leading female Helen as she stands on her own as the leading female star and Tina Majorino was pretty good as the child star who holds the key to search for Dryland. I posted my review on "Waterworld" if you'd like to come by and see it. Okay? Thank you very much.

[@OliverHarper]

Golden Child should be covered in November. Im concentrating on the horror season for this month.

[@TheLeonSalmon]

Your reviews are excellent fella, they always make me want to revisit these films. I remember watching Water World on it's release and loved it, even if it was a bit corny. I might be wrong but wasn't Independence Day out the same year? Could that have also dampened it's appeal? Keep up the good work ;0)

[@SampionicBoom]

A 90s classic film that i clearly remember watching at the cinema. Definitely worth the watch as it is timeless and still works today.

[@chasehedges6775]

💯. Definitely

[@D2G10]

Where the hell is The Postman (1997) review Oliver?

[@Samson16667]

Oliver Harper, i like your attitude. People really dislike this movie, like Nostalgia Critic, and many see Kevin Costner as a terrible actor. But, i like how in your reviews you do give mercy to many films that would be considered terrible. You have a Positive attitude man

[@neil2905]

this is another one of those cases where instead of a movie you should of had maybe a 12 part mini series.

[@scottmantooth8785]

that would have been nice...a slow reveal while characters and plot developed over time...they never showed what a strong storm would have done to the atolls scattered across the world.

[@Mviews-hb4ib]

great vid! .. how do i rewind? i got to 9 minutes in and realised id been on plenty of fish for 5 minutes so missing a lot of the visuals. thanks