Reevaluating a Controversial Blockbuster

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MOVIE REVIEW
Waterworld (Limited Edition) [4K Ultra HD]
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Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Year Released: 1995, 2023 Arrow 4K
Runtime: 2h 15m
Director(s): Kevin Reynolds
Writer(s): Peter Rader, David Twohy
Cast: Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tina Majorino, Zakes Mokae
Where To Watch: available June 27, 2023; pre-order here www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: A film rarely plunges its audience into as deep and exciting an adventure as Kevin Costner's epic, WATERWORLD. This movie takes spectators on a voyage into a watery future where the sea engulfs the earth. Making waves in today's pop culture, the film draws us into an intriguing story of survival in a radically altered world teeming with adrift communities and abandoned vessels. The film has received a lot of flack over the years, but it's time to reevaluate its brilliance. First, the gorgeous, practical effects make you feel like you’re part of this world, not just watching it from the outside. A film like this would be done primarily in CGI today and wouldn’t feel the same.

This narrative is anchored by Kevin Costner's portrayal of the Mariner, a lone ranger of the vast watery expanses. Costner's character enables WATERWORLD to claim its territory in climate fiction by offering a bold representation of a world altered by catastrophic climate changes that could lead to a sea level rise in the centuries to come. This film tackles topics like this before it was commonplace; while this may still be an extreme case in a little over 25 years, the truth is that it’s not that far from the potential reality if we’re not able to reverse course dramatically.

The film's undertow of suspense is reinforced by the character of Deacon, a villainous pirate portrayed by Dennis Hopper. Deacon's single-minded focus is on young Enola (Tina Majorino,) who carries the secret to a mythical landmass (Dryland) tattooed on her back. This revelation brings her into Deacon's sights, setting a high-stakes confrontation in motion.

WATERWORLD is a feast for the senses; it treats filmgoers to an array of awe-inspiring seaborne sets, cutting-edge visual effects, and pulse-quickening action scenes. The controversies behind the scenes and the film's massive scale add an extra flavor, cementing its reputation as a memorable eco-dystopian blockbuster.

A significant part of film history, WATERWORLD grabbed headlines with its staggering 175 million-dollar budget. Amid the upheaval of disagreements between Costner and director Kevin Reynolds, the film was swept into a whirlpool of negative publicity that tended to eclipse its top-tier production values and absorb narrative. Nevertheless, its intense plot twists and unforeseen narrative developments kept the audience's attention.

In this oceanic saga, the spotlight shines brightly on Costner's Mariner, a single-minded survivor in the aqueous wasteland. His mundane survival routine takes a thrilling turn when he inadvertently becomes a central figure in the quest for Dryland.

When it first sailed into theaters, WATERWORLD rode the crest of a wave as the most high-budget film of its time. Despite its challenges, it masterfully portrayed a visually compelling dystopian future. Its novel mix of harsh realities and engaging entertainment elements gives it a unique charm.

In WATERWORLD, Deacon and his Smokers, headed by a delightfully sinister Hopper, inject a steady stream of suspense into the story. Deacon's unwavering pursuit of Dryland turns the film into an action-packed adventure, standing tall among typical blockbusters.

WATERWORLD is a voyage into a solitary world devoid of stable homes and brimming with isolation. The film's stark imagery of an endless ocean, coupled with Costner's enduring portrayal of Mariner, leaves an indelible impression on the audience. Further enriching this cinematic journey is James Newton's unforgettable score harmonizing perfectly with the on-screen action, solidifying WATERWORLD's place as an evergreen film experience.

BONUS MATERIALS
– Three cuts of the film were newly restored from original film elements by Arrow Films.
– Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
– Six collector’s postcards
– Double-sided fold-out poster
– Limited edition 60-page perfect bound book featuring writing on the film by David J. Moore and Daniel Griffith, and archival articles
– Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper

DISC ONE – THE THEATRICAL CUT (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)
– 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of the original theatrical cut
– Dolby Atmos, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, and 2.0 stereo audio options
– Maelstrom: The Odyssey of Waterworld – feature-length making-of documentary including extensive cast and crew interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
– Dances With Waves – original archival featurette capturing the film’s production
– Global Warnings – film critic Glenn Kenny explores the subgenre of ecologically themed end-of-the-world films
– Production and promotional still gallery
– Visual effects still gallery
– Original trailers and TV spots

DISC TWO – THE TV CUT (BLU-RAY) [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]
– High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the extended US TV cut, which runs over 40 minutes longer than the theatrical cut
– Original 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 stereo audio options

DISC THREE – THE ULYSSES CUT (BLU-RAY) [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]
– High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the extended European Ulysses cut, which includes previously censored shots and dialogue
– Original 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 stereo audio options

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]