Production Hell - Waterworld

Heralded as the most expensive movie ever made, Waterworld turned out to be an expensive flop that sank without a trace. But did it deserve the mauling it got at the box office, and how exactly did it turn into such a disaster? Join me as we find out.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

One thing I miss about the 90s is how so many interesting movie ideas were made and how inventive they could be. A world where almost the whole planet is flooded and showing how humanity has adapted to it is a really cool idea and the movie doing all that practically was also pretty impressive.

[@GoodGirlKate]

Agreed - they took chances in the 90s - sometimes it didn't work. What chances are taken these days 🤷

[@nukiesduke6868]

@@GoodGirlKate I mean the fact you had epic bombs like this in the 90s is essentially what made Hollywood go the remake, reboot, sequel, prequel for 90% of the stuff they put out. Even if it's bad and tanks you'll still make a decent bit of money due to the already existing fan base. I mean really half the country should be boycotting Hollywood.

[@GlitchManOmega]

Same decade of moviemaking that brought us the bus with a bomb on it that only explodes if it goes under 50 mph.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

@@GlitchManOmega Hey least they were willing to try different things as opposed to now.

[@GlitchManOmega]

@@thefanwithoutaface8105 Oh, I'm not criticizing; Speed is one of my favorite movies of the 90's and beyond. And watching this CD video actually does make me want to give Waterworld a shot. I'm just commenting on the crazy ideas they had back then that are too "unsafe" to even think about today.

[@blindoutlaw]

Ah the 90’s. A time when even the “flop movies” we’re still pretty good

[@Carubidul]

It really was the pinnacle of movie making

[@franciscodanconia4324]

@@CarubidulI think the best thing about 90s movie was you had the cool whiz bang draw of new CGI technology, used sparingly because it was expensive and time consuming, but still had good practical effects. Now there’s nothing all that compelling technology wise to change the viewing experience. 3D isn’t a big deal. Maybe VR might someday be the new whiz bang

[@deletesoon70]

Even the shite from that era was good. Hollywood had yet to hit the bottom of the creative barrel, they ran out of ideas by about 2005 or so.

[@Noneofyourbusiness2000]

It wasn't a flop. It made $264.2 million at the box office.

[@marzipanmonkey]

It's because there is a charm to them and a genuine sense and feel that they were made by very passionate people who wanted to physically push boundaries and were not afraid to try crazy ideas. Sometimes it just backfired or didn't work out - but you can't help but admire when you contrast it to the half baked, cookie cutter and CGI drenched blockbusters we get these days. I know it's a little nostalgia talking, but genuinely the contrast is very clear.

[@BradfordRMcKnight]

I absolutely loved this movie as a child. I had no idea it was a flop at the box office. At least they could actually make a movie that wasn’t a remake in the 90s.

[@orpa78]

Just because a film's story had potential or sounds original,does not mean it is good waterworld still sucked hard and is rightfully forgotten by everyone

[@KniveLing]

"You like what I tell you to like and my opinion is correct and yours is wrong because it's not mine." -user-uk7ql7ru1u@@orpa78

[@andreasschmitt2307]

It wasn't a flop. It was really expensive (175 million USD), but it still made 264 million USD at the box office, so a plus of 90 million.

[@orpa78]

@@andreasschmitt2307 but it had break even to cover it's bloated budget the more a film's budget is,the more it's chance of flopping becames high

[@andreasschmitt2307]

@@orpa78 Yes, that's out of the question.

[@opedromagico]

Being born in 92, I remember watching this as a kid and I must say it has a special place in my heart! Modern movies are so full of VFX that they lose their magic. Thanks for the nostalgia, Mr Drinker!

[@LifeisGood762]

Same

[@Kyle-qd2sy]

Same here. Born 92 and used to love watching this movie with my dad as a kid.

[@AntiAnathema]

they used VFX for many of the water scenes that featured the floating city or tanker ship

[@IanRose-mp1sq]

Little older but I was impressed by the movie when I first saw it.

[@awesomehpt8938]

I don’t care what people think this movie has a special place in my heart. This was one of my favourite movies to watch as a kid.

[@devolvedmutant]

I was worried when the Drinker picked up one of my faves to do a dive in to. So relieved at the end when he said re enjoyed it on rewatch. We can still be friends, CD. ;)

[@santosdr2]

Heck yeah it is awesome.

[@Andre-fq6xg]

Same here! I love this movie!

[@dkurukhay]

Same here, now I searched it on IMDB and I was shocked to see it has only 6,3 points :D

[@fredflinstone6672]

I waited 2 weeks to watch it entirely, it was split into two parts spanning two weeks, yes I didn’t have cable growing up, still don’t have it cuz it’s all commercials.

[@mrsandhu1215]

This is that one weird case where everything that could go wrong goes wrong and the final product is still pretty good

[@tobybigham4196]

So true!! The movie was great to watch. I just wish there was at least 100k more people who decided to watch it. However, they didn't so we have what we have!

[@geekmastermind]

As was, ironically, 'Jaws.' Although I personally like 'Jaws' a great deal more.

[@RTU130]

Hmm

[@allewis4008]

It's true, it's a perfectly good popcorn flick

[@ColoradoStreaming]

Apocolypse Now is another entry into that category.

[@jenspeteremilpedersen7323]

Dennis Hopper RIP played awesome.. Waterworld in my opinion went from flop to kult.. Costner himself portrayed a sea captain.. Dodging under the mast while his eyes are focused elsewhere like knowing every move of the boat. The uncertainties of his stance when he step onto the Atol.. The conflicted thoughts in his mind, with what he determined useless people on his boat.. He's change of heart when he connected with the child. And they actually found a child actor who could act. Her & Dennis Hopper arguing is forever gold..

[@Washmybodybody]

That's the chick from Napoleon Dynamite.

[@Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb]

​@@Washmybodybody yer mom is the chick from napoleon dynamite😎

[@jimboscooter432]

@Washmybodybody we know

[@markgee5951]

Glad this movie was released. One of my favorite movies from my childhood.

[@bbbbbbb51]

I never saw it as a kid and only got around to it a year or so ago. It's definitely solid. Practical effects stand up so much better than CGI, the overall tone of the movie is great, and the dynamics between Costner, the girl, and the woman were well written.

[@L0stEngineer]

Compared to 2020 movies, this thing was a gem at every level.

[@Nomadmandude]

Absolutely.

[@greggibson33]

Or maybe 2023, since that's the year we live in right now. 😅

[@cobtheconqueror]

And 2024, because there's no end in sight

[@viruschill6736]

And we didn't have to worry about THE MESSAGE

[@NormanReaddis]

Since 2016.

[@LegendaryPredalien12]

This movie was honestly fun to watch. If only to see the cool ways his raft worked.

[@frys87]

It is a fun and even good movie to me. But it doesn't feel big budget at all. I've seen it twice and had fun both times. But DRINKER!! They can shit in boats wtf are you talking about! You have a shit/piss tank that you fill up and empty when you go ashore. It is a very common thing! Every boat over 10m has one!

[@himwhoisnottobenamed5427]

I still like that there’s a _literal_ touch of death in this universe. 🤣🤣

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

@@frys87there’s also a very big blue composting toilet already on site…

[@PumpkinHoard]

Hell, I loved this movie when I was a kid.

[@michele3900]

@@frys87 Probably not enough for the hundreds of people involved.

[@deadairconversion]

Reynolds and Costner did end up working together years later on The Hatfields and McCoys, the TV mini series. They reportedly have an amicable friendship and the Waterworld argument was overblown in the media.

[@jasonavery]

I came here to say the same thing. They did work together again, and Hatfield’s & McCoys was awesome!

[@THEOUTCASTSCREATIVE]

My late friend Gerard Murphy who played Gord in the film had many stories about shooting Waterworld, but many of them were at odds with what we heard in the press. He said he and Dennis Hooper had a great time shooting the movie and the experience was no where near as bad as they subsequently read in the press.

[@AngryToasterOven]

Sometimes people don't know why they hate something, other than they're told they are supposed to.

[@collectedcurios]

Both "Waterworld" and "The Postman" are favourites of mine. They're not perfect movies, not by a long shot, but they're FUN, which automatically puts them head and shoulders above 90% of today's cinematic output. If you're a fan of the post-apocalyptic genre, they are a must-see.

[@scorp77snake]

I also enjoy both its just a shame The Postman is nothing like the book i think the only thing in common is they are set in a post apocalyptic era .

[@613harbinger316]

@@scorp77snake That, and that he's a postman. The one thing I will always remember from it (just in case we do have an apocalypse) is to stock up on toothpaste, floss and toothbrushes.

[@johngoldsworthy7135]

They’re the exact same movie but one involves water instead of land

[@CalebWinfield-pg5bl]

The Postman is one of my favorite movies ever.

[@MsDragonbal776]

Two of my favorite movies actually. You can sit down and easily get hooked on them. Especially when it comes to the postman

[@seanmcclure]

I am a former Marine, and we were close to where they were filming. Costner came out into the field and sat down with us and just talked. I thought that was the coolest thing any celebrity could ever do. He sought us out and asked specifically how to get where we were. He brought us soft drinks and snacks.

[@leslieleslie6590]

That's cool.

[@apk4381]

Just making stuff up for likes. The internet these days... I was a space marine back in the day, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Alderin landed on the moon one day and I was with my unit searching for terrorists. They went our of their way to find us and we ended up sitting round a camp fire with a BBQ at the top of one of the dunes overlooking the earth. They were great guys.

[@fredrikcarlgren4538]

@@apk4381very cool you earned a like

[@petermad7476]

​@@apk4381I believe your story more tbh

[@SeraphsWitness]

What weird thing to make up. And for "likes"? I find that story more incredulous.@@apk4381

[@cullermann2]

The story of the stunt double just going in to work with his Jetski is such an awesome move

[@Danthrax81]

Funny thing, I recently remembered Waterworld, rented it one evening, and eased into my couch. You know.... all things considered, it was a pretty damn fine movie. Not a masterpiece, but a great action film with a reluctant hero,a memorable villain, fantastic sets, and a great character evolution arc. I was actually surprised how well Kevin Costner acted the role given that he's known to play squeaky clean, righteous protagonists, whereas the Mariner is surprisingly realistically portrayed as a gruff, pragmatic, maverick survivalist with a deep distrust and dislike of the rest of humanity - just the opposite of most of Costner's other roles - with a well paced growth and change of heart centered around his evolving relationship with Enola and Helen. Darn shame it was such a pain for the people who worked on it. Particularly the set builders.

[@donwhiteley3293]

It's insane that Waterworld was the epitome of a Hollywood bomb for so many years that it became a punchline in and of itself, yet it's so much better than all but about 10-12 movies that Hollywood has churned out in the 5 years since Infinity War.

[@randomguy6679]

Come on, the script is awful and Kevin is a block of wood. I love the production design and the music, but that’s about it.

[@toh6261]

​@@randomguy6679Name 2 movies that came out in the last 5 years that are better, besides Sound of Freedom.

[@Eye_Radiate_Light]

I loved it whenever I saw it on free-to-air television as a kid. It's an entertaining romp and immersive due to the authentic visuals and effects. CGI just plain sucks, the motion is off, and the level of detail isn't there.

[@OregonPacifist]

I agree. Although Waterworld isn’t a perfect movie, it’s still MUCH better than 99% of Hollywood movies that have come out in the last decade.

[@randomguy6679]

@@OregonPacifist The last decade? That’s a slight exaggeration…

[@AlexanderWernerJr]

What makes me love the movie is Dennis Hopper's performance as the villain who is always trying to depict himself as a civilized gentleman while he's threatening and murdering people left and right, it's totally hilarious.

[@acidz0037]

I love the scene where he’s getting his false eye painted 😂

[@jeremyrobbins7929]

"You said you wouldn't kill me!!" "Did I say that?!! Witnesses?!! Ahh I may have! I may have!" Hands his gun over to his number 2 to kill the guy.

[@jimyoung9262]

Dennis Hopper was the only good thing about this movie

[@allewis4008]

Dennis was a glorious ham in this

[@GregJamesMusic]

Hopper later said he actually enjoyed making _Waterworld,_ making him easily the luckiest person involved with it.

[@matthews2122]

I never understood why people didn’t like Waterworld I’ve always really enjoyed the movie as well as The Postman. I think they both have very good stories, and are very well made with good acting.

[@DrinkTheKoolAid62]

If you recall the times with all the climate change denial. The film was seen as politically charged and was possibly the first example of something being "cancelled"

[@matthews2122]

@@DrinkTheKoolAid62 I don’t remember the political angle on it. I just remember it getting trashed, them saying it wasn’t a good movie. Internet was still fairly new, no smartphones. It came out the year before I graduated high school.

[@poopsmith6853]

​@kiwimark62 or you know, it could be the horrible lack of world building or explanation for how people still get oil, wood, anything that isn't fish? Very little in the plot is global warming bugaboo, only the setup for why the world is water. Even then, its just that the ice caps have melted. Something that had occurred multiple times before people ever existed.

[@matthews2122]

@@poopsmith6853 I don’t think we watched the same movie, because they explained pretty much all of that. As a matter of fact oil was one of the biggest plot points in the movie. The bad guys were cruising around and living in an oil tanker and their society was founded by the original captain “their messiah” and the original crew. They were almost out of oil and desperately trying to find dry land. Sea level rose and almost all land was submerged under the ocean. Almost every thing they had was left over from before. They don’t just gloss over any of that. Did you even watch the movie?

[@poopsmith6853]

@matthews2122 I'll admit it's been a few years, but the film takes place what, centuries after ice cap melt? These things wouldn't still be around. Oil and anything else would have rotted or spoiled. There wouldn't be wood or metal to build with left. Ships don't just float around forever. They need near constant care if wood and slightly less than constant care if metal. I don't recall any heavy political angle other than the setup of the world being from ice cap melt, which has happened multiple times without people around. Too much time has passed if I'm recalling correctly for Waterworld to be plausible in what people have access to, yet not enough time for the protagonist's gill mutation. If I'm further recalling correctly the bad review angles were because of this ridiculous set up and being kostner'd out for awhile. Mad max has some plausibility taking place mere decades after societal collapse, not centuries. Visual effects and set piece scale in Waterworld is awesome. Plot and story background is not.

[@tristanwegner]

There is an extended fan cut with a lot of removed scenes restored, that actually fills a lot of the plot holes, showing that they had an answer, but just were not allowed to show it.

[@iananderson5561]

It's genuinely a great film. Massively underappreciated and underrated. If you've never seen it, give it a chance.

[@johntabler349]

It's funny how many of my favorite movies were not box office hits so I feel you

[@MrJeffcoley1]

Kevin Costner's inflation adjusted $300 million Waterworld is much better than Kathleen Kennedy's $300 million Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

[@joshuapratt3593]

@@johntabler349absolutely! I’ve noticed that same thing even way back in my teens, but especially in the last 10 or 11 years or so I actually hope that all the “usual suspects” will review certain films and trash them because then I can be fairly confident I’ll enjoy them and obviously if those types of reviewers love the movie I avoid it (aside from the obligatory roasting that I’d be compelled to for the LOLZ) like the plague. 😂😂😂

[@aztro187]

I loved it then,.love it now... Kevin became to big, people wanna see you fall/fail

[@pure-blood17]

I have always loved this movie.

[@sworddomo1951]

I like that Waterworld is now no longer a flop, it just took decades.

[@colinmorgan2511]

And in the decades to come the flops in Hollywood these day would have been forgotten. In all but memes.

[@jeremyvettech5562]

Rest assured it is still a "flop" on paper, via Hollywood Accounting

[@NazarusGG]

compared to today flops WW is a oscar candidate movie

[@athaphian]

Dennis Hopper is a blast to watch in this movie, I really like his performance. When I saw this movie as a kid I absolutely enjoyed it, and it I never understood why it was such a failure.

[@stewheart]

heres to good ol saint joe

[@Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb]

I'm right there with ya. i never understood why the movie wasn't beloved. I got a "three miles for sister sarah" meets "mad max" meets jack black piloting an airplane on a string flavor from it, and hot dang, that's a winner. unless.... nah... ... well.. the map was a circle with an island and an arrow, all you had to do was hold -her- it upside down to find land..... wtf?

[@UncleFexxer]

Hopper has always been a top-notch, over-the-top villain. Love his unhinged performances.

[@nicholaswilliams1296]

I remember watching this at the cinema thinking this is a lot better than I thought it would be, and all these years later, yup still enjoy it!

[@cordatusscire344]

As a kid, I lover Waterworld and The Postman. "They spelled 'tyranny' wrong." Might be one of the greatest lines ever spoken by a villain.

[@jasonmason8413]

Definitely a great line

[@ravenheartwraith]

waterworld I thought was so so, but I loved the Postman, a highly underrated movie that is basically forgotten today, even more so then waterworld because of its extreme flopness.

[@user-mf4rm4fj6l]

Agreeing - "Postman" is better than its reputation, much more. It's no absolute masterpiece, but I own the DVD - also the one of "Waterworld" - and never regretted having and enjoying it.

[@DOOMGROOM]

This one was on play/rewind in my VCR non stop. The incredible journey gets me everytime. When he show's his mark and the General get's a boner knowing how special the moment was.@@ravenheartwraith

[@catmenot7143]

The Postman is one of the best movies of all time!

[@PricefieldPunk]

The WaterWorld attraction at Universal Studios is still one of the most entertaining attractions there though. Real people and real practical effects used

[@gunnargarcia901]

Haha is that still going ? Went in 2003, that plane appearing was great...

[@cowboycinema8648]

Hell yeah I totally forgot about that it was awesome

[@traviss9059]

My dad brought me there when I was 11 (2001). And I lost my mind when he told me it was an actual movie and I rented it from Blockbuster immediately after getting home.

[@robwalsh9843]

I was blown away at the stunt work of that show. Those performers were no joke.

[@613harbinger316]

Still an awesome show! And the freakin' heat bloom at the explosions was legitimately scary - if I can feel it this far back, how bad could it be much closer.

[@davidsmith-hb1jx]

"Oh, thank God"..... Best line in the movie. Also... Loved it when we finally learned the name of the ship as it sank😏

[@jammieyouwohlgemuthsv9206]

I fing loved this movie as a kid and still do. I was too little to understand the boat scene where the guy buys some time with the woman but it still creeped me out. The idea of no ground, living in the Midwest where I can grow anything almost, was fascinating to me and sad that these people never experienced trees and soil and they had such bleak lives. And his mutation was Cool.

[@govsquid]

I was in college when Waterworld came out, and made the mistake of watching it with a friend from the Engineering program. The movie has barely started, and the Mariner is running his urine through a little filter to provide clean water for himself and his lime plant. My engineering buddy leans over and asks, "Why doesn't he just run seawater through that thing?" And that pretty much ruined the rest of the night.

[@shan4680]

Maybe he liked taking the piss?

[@Slipstream317]

bruh

[@mattdesroches3219]

Good point - been 20 years and this is the first time ive been forced to think of that

[@rockfordfiles5451]

Actually it's much harder to desalinate seawater than urine (first time through)

[@Dowlphin]

Yeah, apart from the fact that there is so damn much salt in sea water that it would quickly overload a generic filter system, why did he even filter the urine for the plant? It is fertilizer. (OK, maybe because of the smell. But what did he use as fertilizer instead?)

[@maxminton3693]

When I was growing up, we didn’t have that many VHS tapes. One of the ones we did have was water world. I FUCKING LOVE THIS MOVIE. When I got a little older and had access to the Internet, I found out that apparently everybody hated this film, and thought it sucked. I have defended this film, my whole life, and I’m very happy to hear The drinker appreciate it. It is a genuinely good film, art through adversity, and all that. I genuinely believe that people will continue watching this film and consider it a decent film for decades to come. Maybe not the best film ever, but a distinctly unique film that can never really be replicated.

[@jameswhittingham8027]

From the first clip where the Universal logo starts melting and the world floods, I love this film too.

[@diehardfighter]

Same. I am from India and was very popular in cable television circles. I was surprised to later find out that this was a flop and is hated by most

[@amybaldwyn4676]

I love this movie too. I give it a watch every few years and enjoy the ride each time.

[@jackp492]

Simpsons told them to hate it so they do, they say it’s boring and that’s enough of an inditement to not watch it

[@afailable]

Crazy I was in the same boat, one of the few movies we had on tape and watched it regularly

[@LucidConcept]

I love this movie in every way, one of my all time favorites. Still tops a lot of the post-apocalyptic movies that come out these days.

[@frost8077]

This movie always seemed so interesting and unique to me. There's really no other movie like this one. It stands out with originality.

[@gunkulator1]

Well, except for Mad Max which is what Waterworld really is.

[@The.Nasty.]

@@gunkulator1hahaha I’ve always thought the same, they’re both fun movies imo.

[@fhetty]

Are you serious? This is basically just Mad Max in the ocean...and Mel Gibson did it WAY better!

[@RobDaCajun]

I always had a soft spot for Waterworld. I saw it in the theater, and owned a vhs copy of it.

[@spacegoat0133]

Mad max ripoff…so original.I enjoy both so idc, but definitely not original

[@EverettBurger]

WW has made a comeback due to the respect the audience has for the hard work that was put in the design. We know that if made today, the entire film would be filmed in a single room in front of a green screen

[@StCreed]

Avatar wasn't. THere was, despite all the CGI, a ton of diving involved.

[@Lextrow]

@@StCreed I'm not completelly sure you understand the scope of the film... In Avatar people had to dive a little bit in a pool. In Waterworld they buildt a freaking water fortress on the middle of the ocean (plus, they probably had to dive too...). Avatar is basically CGI, you can't compare the two movies.

[@347Jimmy]

If Waterworld were made today, it would cost pennies by comparison, wave pools and green screens all the way

[@maxis2k]

@@347Jimmy Or it could just as likely have cost more. Many of these CG fests costs more to make. I don't know where this perception that CG makes a movie cheaper comes from. If you look at the most expensive movies, many of then are CGI driven. Like the Lion King "live action" remake which costs three times as much as the original animated version.

[@347Jimmy]

@@maxis2k do you know what was the most expensive movie ever made at the time? Waterworld! And it wasn't CG driven So your point completely sucks. Reshoots are what blow budgets

[@tristangabrielo]

This is a movie that created a core memory on me, not sure if it was one of the first movies I saw when I start becoming conscious as a kid, now I sure can appreciate it even more taking in consideration what a hell they went through, probably also why the performances were so realistic, they were actually in the middle of the ocean after all

[@FalloutBreakbeat]

I'm glad you summarised it as a decent movie. As soon as I saw the title of the video it made me think about watching it again. For all its problems, it probably deserves a better rep than it has.

[@DonPandemoniac]

Every penny that did make it to the the final production made its mark. This movie is a visual masterclass in world building, practical effects and full-blown spectacle.

[@Azurethewolf168]

Can’t say that about modern films, where do all those millions go? Paying the actors?

[@AndyTheGameMakerLLC]

This reminds me of the "blank check" approach towards movies like "Hook" in the 90's. While the movies themselves didn't perform well, these films are still visually extraordinary and easily set themselves apart from the firehosed usage of CGI that we're stuck with nowadays. This was definitely an ambitious film: it's really such a tragedy that it turned out this way.

[@Raskolnikov70]

That's why they've held up as long as they have. Even though they had CGI available they didn't rely on it to cut costs the way so many movies now do. I just watched the original "Jumanji" last night and thought the exact same thing about that one - even though it's CGI heavy out of necessity, the filmmakers still used practical effects and stunts wherever they could and the movie looks so much better than if they'd been acting in front of a green screen.

[@markscott684]

Two decades of green screen made these 90s big budget practical movies look even better. Miss the days

[@ironhead2008]

@@Raskolnikov70 I watched part of "The Chronicles of Riddick" last night, and yeah, the CG has NOT aged well. A lot of CG heavy movies (including early ones) look cheaper than an Ed Wood movie when they're upscaled to HD.

[@vincenthammons-kd9du]

I enjoyed the movie

[@TheWhiteGyrfalcon]

At least Hook is great and has become an iconic film, especially as the cast is awesome.

[@matrixcom69]

Went to Universal Studios in California 3-4 times over my life and the Waterworld set/attraction was pretty cool. They had their own little movie and they'd have actors/stuntmen act out a snippet of Waterworld every few hours. It had audience-splashing/acrobatics/explosions/guns.

[@alexpetrovich85]

The fact that the film got finished makes it an even better film. The context adds value (and a lot for a film like this...). Makes it more watchable/enjoyable know this.

[@akselitukiainen1395]

This movie is a masterpiece compared to most modern movies made in the Hollywood recently

[@orpa78]

Nah,it isn't it's a vanity project by an overconfident actor and director duo who were way over their head and had too much money to waste just because this film used practical effects that does not make this movie as good as avengers or avatar or even jurassic park and jaws reynolds was forced to ditch in-depth world building and character study after kevin throwed hissy fit over it in favour of dumb action-set pieces which was already common in 90's and felt like a cheap rip-off of the mad max waterworld as an story had potential but the execution was legendarily bad

[@Gator159]

I watched this movie on VHS twice in one day when I was younger than 10. I think I really liked this movie back then

[@wpjohn91]

I watched it in the late 90s on sky. It was ok for a kid.

[@davidpothin5544]

Me too I remember loving it as a child.

[@joshkilluminadi7158]

I still watch it every now and then and still love it

[@cyberpunk354]

Same

[@jordhuga271]

Great movie. Shouldn't have spent so much to make it.

[@whutch1]

I love these production hell videos. It always blows my mind when I hear about the troubles and challenges on set, with movies like Waterworld, Abyss, Street Fighter, Masters of the Universe, and yet, they’re able to persevere and against all odds, create something special.

[@brodel20]

The best part about Waterworld is it doesn't contain "the Message."

[@leagueoflags]

I have always liked Waterworld. Really, I can't see why it hasn't become a massive success.

[@joimumu]

Agree it a fun movie

[@snoopstp4189]

the story is a bit clunky and the 2 massive karens as side kicks for Costner didn't help. It's a fun escape movie and the production value is good, but nothing ever seems to be on the line besides escaping from the dennis hopper gang.

[@scrappydoo7887]

​@@snoopstp4189the two massive Karen's?

[@chongsfury4358]

I like it too, but there was so much of a story behind everything in it, it just left me wanting more, so I just had to use my imagination.

[@sovo1212]

It's as good as Star Wars or Avatar, if you know what I mean. A fun, enjoyable tale through and through. It had what it's needed to start a franchise. But I guess all the negativity before being released killed its chances to become a success.

[@tjjordan4207]

I can't help but respect films that go out of their way to be as physically practical as possible. Say what you want about the 90s and the 2000s, but there was an attempt to make films look as real as possible. In fact, with the strikes going on, revisiting these eras makes me realize how good we had it. I even feel like I'm re-experiencing some of these films for the first time again. With how much new material that had been coming out for over a decade, it feels nice to just take a trip back to a much simpler time. Before the dark times.

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

I’m finding the same with TV shows! Back when they had actual plots and/or humor, and we thought that was normal. Really enjoying my Star Trek TNG and Frasier DVDs! 🖖🤓🍿

[@terranboot9405]

100% there is a weird authentic feeling you get from seeing practical effects over CGI. It look fake but it feels more real.

[@lajeandom]

it took you all this time to realize that? XD I watch 80s and 90s movies ALL THE TIME, my wife is so tired of them! hahaha! But I keep telling her that these movies are the best shit that exists. Terminator, Predator, Aliens, Ace Ventura, Independance Day, Pulp Fiction, Sudden Death, Cyborg, Blood Sport, Rambo, Cliffhanger, Love Story, Mission Impossible etc etc so many to name. Anyways, as you said, we had it so good. But we have it good as well lately, with Dune, Openheimer, Super Mario Bros Movie just to name a few.

[@chatteyj]

@@terranboot9405 Theres nothing weird about it practical effects especially physical sets top cgi for a more realistic look. That may or may not chnage in the future but right now cgi is still limited unless used in the right hands.

[@Will-hy9nv]

Now it's just green everywhere around the so-called actors.

[@Mankey619]

It’s crazy to see how much trouble they had to go through for making this movie. Not only in budget in production, but for the safety and lives of the crew and casts as well.

[@lordfrostwind3151]

Sea movies seem to be dangerous to cast and crew in general, at least if this and Abyss are anything to go off of.

[@gareththeblue9014]

The poor oil guy was my favorite laugh....when the fire hits and he thanks God for death it was too much.🤣

[@LaCazaLP]

That ending line about "overconfident Filmmakers and bloated budget" really does fit on to modern Film making.

[@Dbusdriver71]

Its still the 'Island of Dr. Moreau' but Waterworld is a good second as far as 'overconfident filmmakers and bloated budget' go.

[@Nahthanksyouserious]

One of my favourite Simpsons jokes is when Milhouse is in the arcade and he's teeing up to play Waterworld, deposits 40 quarters, takes one step and it's "game over. Please deposit 40 quarters." "WHATTA RIP" 😂 Gets my every time.

[@marcorc5167]

But he starts to deposit even more 😂😂😂

[@mrviking2mcall212]

Guess they were trying to recover from the box office…

[@MosoKaiser]

And someone actually made a faithful playable interpretation of it! Quarter depositing included. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJKbqqOvnNuYgrs

[@princessmarlena1359]

I remember that! 🤣

[@durinV]

Best part is some lad made the game full and the campain is available in youtube xD

[@crunchie9362]

Waterworld and The Postman to this day hold their ground on my top list, and with the way things are being produced now I doubt they'll ever move.

[@s.m.crowley6710]

After seeing this video, I was inspired to go through Kevin Costner's catalog of work again, which I like most of. I was surprised to find that Costner and Reynolds did work together again, at least according to the credits, on the 2012 miniseries Hatfields & McCoys. Another good show. If you haven't seen it, it's pretty interesting. Based on a true story of a famous and bloody family feud in American history.

[@AuxiliaryPanther]

Wasn't Bill Paxton in that, too?

[@s.m.crowley6710]

@@AuxiliaryPanther He sure was, played Randall Mccoy

[@hauntedhotdog]

I have a special place in my heart for Waterworld. It's just so... early-mid 90's. There is just a look and vibe the movie has that really speaks to me. It's not technically a great film, but it's fun, and I unironically enjoy it.

[@mikavirtanen7029]

You have to give props to Kevin Costner...first Waterworld, then the Postman....90's big budget dystopias with receding hairlines.

[@FredMeyer42]

Waterworld has some really good sequences-- but they're the smaller quieter moments in the film. I ended up snagging the long director's cut on Blu-Ray and I still enjoy it. Also, practical effects are ALWAYS better. ALWAYS.

[@maegenyoungs2591]

No else could have played his part the way he did, it’s truly a colt classic

[@kennethmartin1300]

Yep, colt as in 'shoot-em-up'. That's a good term cuz I'm sure there was at least one Colt those smokers were using. 🔫

[@NinjaRunningWild]

Cult* 😉

[@stewheart]

Waterworld is a masterpiece. I saw it in the cinema. we had an awesome time. whatever the hell it went through- we are better for having it than not.

[@thinkforyourself2109]

Waterworld, despite its high cost and production problems, is a pretty good action flick. The bit where the old man in the oil tanker says "Oh thank God" just before he's about to be immolated always cracks me up. The film reminds me a lot of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and of course The Postman (also a Costner vehicle).

[@senorpepper3405]

Ford Lincoln Mercury

[@fnord4960]

Fun fact, on the set of The Postman, the crew called the production "Dustworld". Kevin Costner was a prima donna on that set as well.

[@TMHF]

This movie has always been in my top 10 favorites, much to the chagrin of anyone I'm talking to at the time. It's something I'll just have playing in the background around the house every week or two. I've probably seen it 500 times. Imagine my surprise to see this video pop up in my queue. The world is a strange place.

[@tharock220]

I'm glad you gave the movie the credit it deserved at the end. It really did a great job portraying humans living in a world covered in water. I need to check out the extended cut. The setting in The Postman was really well done as also.

[@fakecubed]

I think I only ever saw this on basic cable TV, and I had no idea there was another cut out there. I always enjoyed watching it whenever it came on late at night. It was kind of insane, but entertaining no doubt.

[@antonysimpson6288]

I actually loved this movie, especially the parts where he's alone on his boat in the vast emptiness of the oceans. These days it would all be done on green screen and CGI, but back then it was done for real and all the better for it. And the sunken city scene was just amazing.

[@Eva01-jy2qu7pu9r]

Waterworld might've been a box office flop and a production disaster, but I will admit is a movie with a lot of ambition and has visuals that still age well today. All it needed was a tighter script and better circumstances leading up to its release.

[@nukima11]

With the proper script, it could be done again today (optimism). They could still build cities on pikes in shallow enough water and, use CGI to make some ocean background look legit.

[@347Jimmy]

The 170 minute dark version with more worldbuilding would have been amazing

[@videowilliams]

Hehe- good on ya, Drinker, for conceding in your final minute that it actually is a splendid-looking movie (and I've spoken with its D.O.P. Dean Semler who was also D.O.P. on Mad Max 2 and is proud of his work on both) because it's one of my guilty pleasures like Raise The Titanic (1980) which has a similarly goofy story, splendid visuals and gorgeous music out at sea. There are all sorts of damn things wrong with it, it cost more than it could ever hope to recoup, but I enjoy it on a rainy day regardless.

[@zeroThreeSixHD]

This movie actually taught me how to swim. My neighbor was babysitting me when I was 6 and for some reason took me and her son to the movie. Once I saw the girl get thrown in the water I was petrified. My parents threw me on the swim team and that's that. Waterworld has a special place in my heart forever.

[@The.Nasty.]

That’s awesome 😂

[@Nick-mp1zh]

A lot of kids would’ve refused to go near water, huge respect to you for immediately going to learn how to swim instead. Extra respect for becoming an actual athlete for it

[@cattysplat]

@@Matthias_Fischer It's not just about kids, it's about having adults that learn how to swim when they are kids. Most adults cannot swim yet will go to the beach, swim gym or water park and risk their life for fun.

[@The.Nasty.]

@@Matthias_Fischer 😂😂😂

[@someguyinahoodie3856]

With all of this being said, this movie is special to me. I grew up on it as a child, so therefore it's nostalgia holds this movie in high regards personally. I still think it holds up, it's a damn good movie. It's fun to learn about it's backstory though, I had no idea it was this troubled

[@BraxtonSharkboy]

The coolest thing about this movie is that the giant fortress throughout the movie floated right outside of harbor at Kawaihae for the months that they filmed. Once shooting was finished I'm pretty sure they sank it as an artificial reef. One of my aunties best friends was an extra in the movie and the last scene where they finally find land was filmed down at Waipio Valley here on the Big Island of Hawaii.

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

Oh no! You forgot to put a “spoiler“ warning in your comment. 🫢Now I know the ending of the movie. 🤣 sorry, couldn’t resist. I’m trying to find a way to utilize emojis that I never ever use. And yes, I do realize a better use of my time would be to actually watch the movie. Thank you for your patience! 😆🍿🖖

[@ArCgon]

@@dronesclubhighjinks What a noble endevaour. Let us know when you find a way to use those: 🪆🛢💂🖲🖇🪝

[@joeyservo]

​@@dronesclubhighjinksThrow more emojis in there why don't you.

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

@@joeyservo 😃🍭😂🍪🍩🍫😂👍😍🌸

[@TheIndianaGeoff]

@@dronesclubhighjinks That's OK, I have had it on a couple times and I don't remember watching it to the end. Now I know how it ends. Unless I forget again.

[@mitchellgarcia3532]

One of my favorite movies growing up.

[@TheMissing8]

I loved Waterworld as a kid and still appreciate it now as an adult.

[@wacokid30]

I actually enjoy this movie a lot. It’s such a badass practical production design and can’t believe they did everything for real.

[@TheoJay615]

Waterworld was always an enigma to me. I'm glad you gave it a spot light! Also: Mad Max? It was Moist Max! 😅

[@user-cv8qe9ru8c]

Max moist is my alias

[@dawnmichelle4403]

😝

[@superperidot1359]

No one ever talks about this movie. Glad you finally did. Now... if only you could make a video covering the original Total Recall with Arnold Schwarzenegger. 😊

[@nigelhutchinson5332]

As a young boy, into violence and all things gritty and badass, this movie was nothing short of F-ing epic to me. Will always hold a special place in my heart. I didn't realize for such a long time this was such a disaster in filming and production.

[@schassen]

This movie and The Postman is top ten for me! A throwback to my childhood!

[@devolvedmutant]

Same here. As a fan of almost everything post-apocalyptic, in movies and gaming, this one has always been one of my favorites.

[@santosdr2]

The War

[@613harbinger316]

LOL, I actually think The Postman is waaaaaaaay better than the novel it's based on. Read it in high school, thought it sucked. Watched the movie and absolutely loved it! Too many jumped on the hater bandwagon and dismissed it outright because of Waterworld and Costner. [edit: With one, very entertaining caveat: Tom Petty's performance is one of the best examples of why being famous, a celebrity or even a performer does not mean you can act. I cringe and facepalm every time I watch his first scene.]

[@Zothaqqua]

As a lifelong sailor I often wondered how they made this movie. It depicts and treats the sea like a meadow, instead of the changeable, harsh, and dangerous place it really is. Thanks for telling the story.

[@cattysplat]

Yeah, the idea that you can build permanent structures on the sea will always be crazy. The sea through storms and waves claims all not on land and takes no prisoners.

[@paulkfilms]

Dude. I love this. Can Production Hell be a series? It's like production history with a drunk scottish twist. haha

[@Rickenbekker]

I've always loved this movie since I was a kid, everytime they passed it on TV I'd just drop anything I was doing to watch it again and again. Truly an ageless piece of art

[@notsure4648]

Check out the extended cut it's really cool. It's a grass roots project they put clips that helped world building . Adds like forty minutes to the movie.

[@Rickenbekker]

@@notsure4648 I alredy did during lockdown (there was a lot of time to kill) and it's been a blast, keep up spreading the word due! =D

[@LKDesign]

*Waterworld* and *Cuthroat Island* did never strike me as bad movies, quite the opposite. I was happy and impressed watching them as a kid in the nineties. Only much later did I learn that they were commercial failures but that doesn't make a bad movie in my book. Today things are actually bad and "Hollywood" seems to have completely lost its magic. I am glad I got to experience a better time.

[@Mastordant]

YES! I love both Cuthroat Island and Waterworld too. They are just fun to watch

[@fridakahlo4225]

This 👏👏👏

[@McWhatevs]

Same as the Lone Ranger; great action flick. Just 20-30 minutes too long

[@defeqel6537]

I'd happily go watch either movie in a theater over most of today's movies

[@dizzyrick7653]

@@DeadManWalking-ym1oo The funny thing is that a film being as woke as humanly possible is almost a guarantee of failure. Being woke *and* risk averse is oxymoronic.

[@Archivist212]

The movie had jet skis, explosions, and explosions on jet skis- I will always love this movie- Hell, I even love The Postman

[@jonvia]

Before clicking, I knew this would be very similar to The Island Of Dr. Moreau's production woes

[@Iridar51]

Waterworld is a childhood movie for me, I rewatched it recently and was surprised how good it still looks, particularly the sets and the costumes.

[@Yarblocosifilitico]

wait, is that you, the legendary XCOM modder? Salute, and thank you for your work!

[@Iridar51]

@@Yarblocosifilitico well I don't know about being legendary, but I dabble into modmaking, yeah. Thanks :)

[@justineharper3346]

That pause after “hurricane season” and “guess what happened next” had me cackling

[@ShooterMcgavin119]

Loved, and still love, Waterworld. Watching it as a kid, I knew it wasn't the greatest movie ever made, and I also knew it was cheesy as hell, but it was fun! And that's more than can be said for most movies these days.

[@whatwhatwhat2939]

I actually loved Waterworld and I have never heard of the Ulysses/Directors Cut!! I am watching that shit TONIGHT! THANK YOU!

[@penguinjay]

This movie, while not being a masterpiece itself, certainly has some of the best set design and practical fx productions ever, they take this movie to a whole other level compared to the competition. People should look back with insane admiration of what they accomplished. Beautiful set pieces. SO DAMN COOL!

[@PaulAllen786]

Very well said🌊 i can still rewatch this movie today and enjoy a Sunday afternoon

[@thebritishmovieguy]

Absolute classic! As much as I love Waterworld I never knew the extent of the turmoil the production went through.

[@dennishena1399]

I LOOOVE “Waterworld”! I remember when I first saw the trailer for this movie as a kid. The premise of the film absolutely had me hooked. Had no idea the production went through this hell. I’m glad they made it to the finish line, because this movie still hold up today, and I think the world is better for it.

[@roadwarrior114]

How have I never heard about this movie until now? This is like Road Warrior, but with boats and jet skis ramping off 20' drops into the water and then machine gunning/blowing up everything in front of them. I am watching this movie as soon as I can.

[@Rydonittelo]

I remember watching Water World as a little kid and telling my brother and dad that genuinely my favourite part of the movie was the computer animation at the beginning that last about 20 seconds explaining how the ice caps melted and flooded the world. I honestly thought that was cool at that time 🌎

[@krux02]

Given the fact that I still remember it as well, I think you are right. It was cool.

[@rezaiyaz1439]

Yes i still remember that opening as well. Loved this movie as a kid!

[@RM_VFX]

They worked it into the Universal logo as I remember. Yes, that was the best part of the film. Unfortunately, there was more afterward. 😂

[@rezaiyaz1439]

@@RM_VFX like the drinker agrees it wasn't actually that bad of a movie. Would love to watch the director's cut to see what this movie could have been though.

[@brianhaugh152]

I still remember that opening scene too, of all the land disappearing. Best part of the movie. 😊

[@DiabloDisablo]

Correction: Kevin Reynolds and Kevin Costner worked together again on the western TV mini-series "Hatfields & McCoys" (290 mins total) in 2012. It's acrually pretty good.

[@richardcahill1234]

They also recorded a commentary together for the ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES DVD in the early 2000s.

[@ironhead2008]

@@richardcahill1234 That's nice, sounds like they patched up their differences.

[@milton7763]

“He imagined it as a low budget rip-off of Mad Max…” Instead it turned into a high budget rip-off of Mad Max

[@Gr8tBlueHeron]

Cutthroat Island was so wildly unappreciated I was surprised when I learned it was a box office flop. To this day it's still one of my favourites! I sure did enjoy Waterworld, too. It may not hold up to logic and scrutiny but it was a very entertaining movie!

[@quietrobot3683]

Glad the director's cut (also known as The Ulysses Cut) was mentioned, which added 45 minutes of extra footage for a blu-ray release. Some stuff added was: 1) a trial for The Mariner, in which people thought he was a Smoker spy. 2) a lengthy conversation between Helen and The Mariner about Enola, with Helen giving up her right to have a child to raise her. 3) Smokers check their inventory after their attack on the atoll, and realize how quickly humans are dying off. Definitely watch it for a new perspective on Waterworld.

[@Raskolnikov70]

Yep, it's one of those movies like "The Abyss" that you go to see in the theater and are kind of disappointed in, but once the DC or Extended cut comes out you realize what the filmmakers were trying to do in the first place and it ages much better.

[@jamesharrelson4172]

I highly recommend seeing the Waterworld event at Universal studios. Really feels like you're inside the movie. Practical effects and real sets will always age better than CGI

[@testoftetris]

I went to see this show last time I went to Universal and I was absolutely floored by how good it was. I keep describing it to people as a cross between the dolphin show at an aquarium and a WWE match

[@sexystealthninja]

I remember seeing that a long time ago. Didn't know they still did it.

[@CoastalReaction]

Man, when that gas tank explodes... awesome.

[@oildalejones567]

What’s funny is that there is footage from the Universal Studios show in the review.

[@matthijs.tieleman]

Yeah and they keep remaking the show too. I’ve seen it a number of times and it’s differently tweaked each time I see it. I always wonder how many people in the audience still even remember the movie haha!

[@michaelbrand1173]

I really want to see that director's cut now. I loved Waterworld. This explains so much why everyone dogged it so much.

[@magmat0585]

Water world was one of my favorites growing up, precisely because it scratched that "Mad Max" itch for me as a kid

[@merafirewing6591]

Waterworld is definitely the most under appreciated movie, but it's a cult classic. To me, Waterworld is quite an achievement in terms of the challenge it posed.

[@MaximusWolfe]

Most underappreciated movie? No way in hell. There are so many absolute master pieces that have either been totally forgotten or never received anything close to the kind of critical Acclaim they so richly deserve. Waterworld is a good movie at best. I don’t think many people would have a hard time admitting that, even most film critics. But if you wanna talk about criminally underrated movies, then I have a list that will put Waterworld in your rearview.

[@Thebigbad1013]

I honestly love Waterworld. It's such an interesting and cool premise, and ultimately a good movie. But I guess I've always had a bit of a soft spot for long Kevin Costner movies. I absolutely love Dances With Wolves and I quite enjoy The Postman as well.

[@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat]

Silverado No Way Out The Untouchables Bull Durham Field of Dreams Revenge Dances With Wolves JFK A Perfect World The War Wyatt Earp Waterworld The Postman Open Range 13 Days Some wildly underrated, but all classics in my book. Costner may well even be my all-time favorite leading man. Can't wait for Horizon!

[@JoRN1222]

​@@Geronimo_Jehoshaphatyes!

[@Thebigbad1013]

@@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat I complete agree!

[@SnakePit6517]

It’s awesome that you did another Production Hell video. You haven’t done one in a while and in my opinion, there some of your best videos.

[@68percentwater]

I was the Lead Engineer for the floating platforms the Atoll set was built on. The widely reported story of the set being destroyed by a hurricane (repeated here) is simply not true. There was a storm that caused some minor damage to one of the links connecting the eight platforms together that required a single day of repairs. A minor separate set piece called the slaver’s tower (1/600th of the size of the Atoll by square footage) did sink and had to be rebuilt. The media (which the Drinker correctly reports wanted this film to fail) conflated these two events and reported the Atoll sank and had to be rebuilt. This is still a fun movie to watch, and was even more fun to watch it being made. I did several trips to the set on the Kona coast of Hawaii supporting the build and maintenance of the Atoll. There was definitely a “money is no object” vibe to everything I observed.

[@wonjoomin]

While most reviews were negative when it was released, this movie finds a special place in my heart: my first movie together with my mom 😊