

'Waterworld' is one of those movies that everyone would rather passively make fun of rather than take the time to watch. This is unfortunate, because it really is a good movie. Sure, it's borrowing a lot from 'Mad Max,' but it's not like 'Mad Max' was original fare to begin with. It's an interesting take on the genre, with some nice sets and costumes, a great soundtrack, and the coolest boat to ever appear on a movie screen. The script has thoughtfully and intricately worked out a new way of life in a post-apocalyptic world, and the supposed 'plot holes' aren't as big as everyone makes them out to be (OK, we never really find out why dirt is so important in the future so what? Is that enough to ruin the whole movie?). If anything brings it down, it's Kevin Costner's performance.

The brooding, gloomy hero shtick works, but he's still far too serious for a movie like this. If he'd had the good sense to be a little more tongue-in-cheek, it would have helped a LOT. Still, it's not a bad movie by any means, and I really think all the negativity toward it is unnecessary. I want the Costner bashers to sit down and watch 'Rebirth of the Mothra III' on Sci-Fi Channel some time. Then they'll know that they have seen the worst movie ever made.

'Waterworld' is an escapist fantasy/action picture, not unlike the James Bond and Indiana Jones pictures.
