Waterworld (Widescreen)

1. First and foremost, the biggest reason is because of the difference between Mel Gibson and Kevin Costner. Both are no doubt big movie stars (though Mel is the proven box office draw) but only one delivers a good performance in every one of his films and it isn't Costner. You might notice the similarities between the characters Max Rockatansky and the Mariner but Costner is really acting like his bland self (though a little better than usual).

2. Both films have incredible stunts but the ones in Waterworld stretch credibility, even in a sci-fi pic.

3. Kevin Reynolds is no George Miller. Miller was able to make a whole lot of something almost out of nothing (i.e. VERY low budget and a dry, desolate desert setting). Reynolds doesn't too much out of a LOT of money along with a very interesting premise and setting.

4. Dennis Hopper is fine as the villain but he's nowhere near as menacing and searing as the pure force of destruction that was portrayed by Kjell Nilsson and Vernon Wells.

5. The Road Warrior is a serious film that has moments of humor but never gets campy. Waterworld wants to be a film that is serious but gets campy quite a few times.

6. Tina Majorino was extremely annoying as the kid the loner hero befriends in Waterworld. Emil Minty's Feral Kid was an interesting and entertaining character (not to mention the fact that the friendship he develops with Max feels a lot more genuine and honest).

Okay, from what I listed above it may seem like I hate Waterworld but the truth is it is entertaining. I saw it before The Road Warrior not knowing at the time how unoriginal the film was. Taking Waterworld for what it is-an escapist acion/adventure-the movie is well worth renting and viewing, but as a sci-fi epic that has an interesting premise, it fails. The filmmakers don't bother to explore the interesting ideas that are brought up and this leaves a sense of dissatisfaction.

The action sequences in the film range from decent to even spectacular. There attack on the atoll is one of the better action scenes I've seen. A couple of the supposedly energetic moments in the film do slack, though. The chase scenes on water aren't quite as exciting as it should have been.

The acting is adequate enough for this sort of picture. Costner and Majorino are mediocre but Dennis Hopper and Jeanne Tripplehorn act with some emotion and Hopper gets some of the film's best lines.

If you had to choose between this film and The Road Warrior, definitely go with the latter unless you prefer a more Hollywood style film. The Road Warrior is a bit more offbeat than the usual Hollywood action film and some of the mad characters in that film might be a little off putting for some viewers.

Now on to all the people that apparently do not know what ficiton is. This movie is fiction! That means it's not real or based on total possible reality! So all these people saying, it's not possible for a guy to have gills, or that one scene just couldn't be possible, go get an A&E special if you want reality. If you find yourself repeating to yourself "It's only a movie", go get an imagination too!

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but sometimes I wonder how people allow their ideas to be skewed by the majority.

By the way after the 4th viewing I just barely noticed Dry Land is Mt. Everest!