Monday, 17 September 2012

Waterworld - Mad Max on the Water



I was talking with some people the other day on twitter and the movie Waterworld came up. I love that movie, which says something as I am not really a big Kevin Costner fan. It had all the things I loved – a stoic loner hero, a beautiful woman along with a funny and intelligent child to teach him humanity. Add in a totally insane and evil villain, boat chases and explosions galore and what you end up with is Mad Max on the water.

Granted the plot has more holes than a mosquito net, not to mention impossible concepts  such as a tanker full of unrefined oil that they can turn into fuel to power all manner of craft. And that after goodness knows how many decades or centuries - there are still filtered cigarettes and bottles of booze to bribe the evil masses.

But hey – I can suspend belief for a good jet ski chase and a barnacle encrusted fuel tanker that not only floats but actually moves.

The world has been flooded by the melting icecaps. Dry land is nothing but a legendary place people search for while they live on floating villages made from all manner of floating things.

The hero is the Mariner – a man who has live on his boat and trades what he scavenges. But he has an advantage over other men – he has mutated and developed gills which allows him to breath underwater which makes him an outcast... of course it does, that is why he is the loner type we so love in a hero.



I have to say that some of the best lines belong to the villain Deacon played by the late Dennis Hopper.


 Lines such as:-

Don't just stand there, kill something!

Well, I'll be damned. It's the gentleman guppy. You know, he's like a turd that won't flush.

And my personal fave:

Let's have an intelligent conversation here: I'll talk, and you listen.

Anyway – as post apocalyptic movies go this one is pretty good. Costner went on to make The Postman which I don’t remember at all. Might have to watch it again one day. Need to stock up on post apocalyptic stories in preparation for my next story. Love a good Post Apoc film.

What do you like in a Post Apocalyptic Hero?
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17 comments:

  1. I love this movie too. I'be seen the live show at universal as well. Now I have to watch it. :-)

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  2. I just remember all that water and a platform in the middle of all that sea! I must watch it again now!

    I loved Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese in Terminator, I know he wasn't the hero as such, but my GOD he was sexy! And brave!

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    1. Kyle Reese was a total hero. Dangerous, sexy, protective and even gave his life for the woman he loved. Total hero.

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  3. My favorite movie I can't seem to turn away from for it's horridness is Battlefield Earth. But Waterworld did have a charm all it's own and I do love those evil villain lines!

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    1. I adore Battlefield Earth. John Travolta was awesomely foul in it.

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  4. Thanks for bringing up an oldie but a goodie Trace. Imagine a world that is all water - the mind boggles!!

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    1. :) it would totally freak me out. I can't go on a cruise because of the thought of all that water.

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  5. LOL yes, Waterworld. I remember that one and also remember I enjoyed it! Which is odd since Kevin Costner does nothing for me and I usually like to fantasize about my heroes :-)

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    1. yes - our own heroes do get a lot of head time. :)

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  6. I remember the millions that was spent on the movie. The mutant loner hero had an appeal, as did the fact that the world was now on the ocean (no wonder it cost so much). I think I remember the plot holes being huge but like you, Tracie, just let things slide.

    Maggie - I have to disagree - Kylie is definitely a hero in the Terminator. So cool, so competent, but so sad as well. Though the time thing with that movie does my head in. :)

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    1. yes the million were astounding. Not sure they even broke even. I think it was one of the most expensive SF movies ever in it's time.

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    2. I guess what I meant was that he wasn't the main character :-) It was really Sarah Connor's and Arnie's movie...but yes, he was definitely heroic :-)

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  7. There were bits I loved about this, but Kevin Costner being serious always gives me the giggles. Even with gills. I can't help myself!

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    1. he is pretty funny when he takes it so seriously :) And he always does.

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  8. I think the part which got to me was that yellow goo they lowered people into for punishment. I have had that stuck in my head for years! The opening scene was rather interesting as well....

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    1. ohhh - they yellow goo yes - want it to get rid of bodies?

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