Okay, Hear Me Out: Waterworld is BETTER Than You Remember

Alright, I'm Hannah, and I'm here to defend the honor of Waterworld. Yes, that Waterworld. I know, I know, the one that almost bankrupted Universal and everyone hates. But seriously, I just rewatched it (again, probably my 10th time) and I'm convinced it's a seriously underrated action/adventure flick. I think people got so caught up in the production drama that they forgot to actually watch the movie. Like, Kevin Costner's Mariner is such a cool, brooding anti-hero, and the practical effects are amazing. The whole atmosphere of a world constantly at sea is so well-realized, especially the atoll towns. And Dennis Hopper? Chef's kiss! He is perfect as the Deacon. Over-the-top villainy at its finest. I love the scene where he's ranting about the promised land (Dryland!) while literally surrounded by his Smoker henchmen. It's so ridiculous, but he sells it completely. Tina Majorino as Enola is actually pretty good to for a child actor. The subplot with her tattoo map is a little contrived, but it gives the movie a nice MacGuffin to chase. I will admit, the pacing can be a little wonky in places, and some of the CGI hasn't aged super well (especially against the amazing practical stuff). And yeah, Costner's performance can sometimes veer into stoic-to-the-point-of-boring. But honestly, the overall world-building, the action sequences, and the sheer audacity of the whole thing wins me over every time. Plus, the jet ski chase at the end is genuinely thrilling, even on repeat viewings. It's not a perfect film by any means, and I'm not gonna pretend it's some undiscovered classic, but I think it's time for a Waterworld reappraisal. Give it another shot! Maybe you'll be surprised. Or maybe you will hate it even more. Let me know in the comments!